Source: QLGPC
May 11, 2017 By Jason Cohen
The Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee will host its 25th annual Queens Pride Parade on June 4 in Jackson Heights.
The parade will feature Lisa Lisa of 80s pop group Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. The grand marshals include Bianey Garcia, a trans activist for Make the Road New York, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and representatives from Sheltering Arms, a 186-year-old nonprofit dedicated to “breaking the cycle of abuse, neglect and poverty for all New Yorkers.”
The event begins at 12 p.m. at 37th Ave. and 89th St. Also, at 75th Street and 37th Rd., there will be several stages for performances, food vendors and booths highlighting local businesses and organizations.
To march in the parade, attendees must register by May 15 at the Queens Pride website. Marchers will be eligible to win one of six Queenie Awards.
The categories include “The Drag Race,” “The Rainbow Award” which will be awarded to the group with the best use of color; “The Screaming Queens Award,” which will be given to the group with the best sound whether that’s chanting, singing, using a band or something pre-recorded;” The Screaming Theme Award” will be given to the group who best represents the theme, which has not been announced yet; “The Toast of Queens Award” will be given to the bar, club or business with the best representation and “The Simply the Best Award.”
Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) helped found the parade after the 1990 murder of Julio Rivera, a gay man, in Jackson Heights. The first parade march was held in 1993 and it now draws more than 40,000 people and is the second largest pride celebration in the city.
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2 Comments
Looking forward to it!
It’s a wonderful parade …. me and my kids have been looking forward to it for months …. I certainly hope it turns out to be a beautiful day …