UPDATE From the Rev’d Michael F Delaney, Canon Pastor, the Cathedral of the Incarnation:
NYC World Pride Parade: All members of the Diocese of Long Island are welcome to march in the parade this Sunday, June 30th in Manhattan. A new Diocesan Pride banner will lead us down 5th Avenue.
The Cathedral Bus will join us on the parade route and provide a place for those who might need a break from walking. Special Pride T-shirts will be available, postcards and rainbow rosaries will be given out to the crowds.
We are asking folks to meet us at 4 pm on 32nd Street between Madison and Park Avenues.
The Church of the Ascension, Diocese of New York, located on 5th Ave. and 10th St., is on the route (toward the end). Their rector, Mother Liz Maxwell, could really use volunteers to hand out water, and to help with cleanup and setup. Ascension’s water table hands out water to marchers for the entire day. (Help at the late end of the day is especially needed.) Last year they gave out 27,000 cups, and this year's crowd is expected to be even bigger. The parish office number is (212) 254-8620 if you'd like to reach out and offer a hand.
Redeemer Church of Morristown, NJ, will be among the congregations sending volunteers to Ascension Church.
Information for Marchers
I am pleased to say that I am the information 'point' person for the Queens, Brooklyn, Long Beach, and Manhattan Pride parades.
The diocese will provide a short bus, marching banner, and handouts that include inspirational cards/'rainbow' rosaries.
I will collect and return the short bus to the cathedral for each of the parades and meet everyone at the rendezvous spot in plenty of time for each parade. Churches: please bring your church banners to march!
If you know of anyone with mobility issues, they are welcome to wave from the bus windows as it follows the marchers in each parade.
Registrations are not necessary. If your church plans to march with the diocese, consider bringing your church's banner to any or all of the parades.
New York (Manhattan) - Sunday, June 30 at 12:00 pm.
June 30, 10 am - Queer Liberation March and Rally, stepping off at 10 am from the Stonewall Inn, going up Sixth Avenue to Central Park for a community-focused Rally on the Great Lawn.
Organized by the Reclaim Pride Coalition (RPC), this event is, among other things, in response to the discomfort with the increased commercialization/corporatization of the H.O.P.-organized annual Pride March.
Their website describes their mission as: "The Queer Liberation March is a people’s political march - no corporate floats, and no police in our march... a truly grassroots action that will mobilize the community to address the many social and political battles that continue to be fought locally, nationally, and globally. [It] recognizes the powerful legacy of the Stonewall Rebellion by highlighting the most marginalized members of our community, as we commit to addressing the ongoing struggles that we face."
RPC describes itself as "a growing global coalition of over 70 organizations and hundreds of individuals who are reclaiming the NYC Pride March so it better represents the LGBTQIATS+ community."
