Empire State Review Team 
New York City — With a record-breaking crowd of over 5 million people, New York City’s annual Pride Parade celebrated its largest turnout ever on Saturday. The event, themed Pride and Progress, marked the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and served as a testament to the city’s enduring commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.
The parade featured more than 150 floats, with participants marching from Fifth Avenue to Greenwich Village. Celebrity appearances included RuPaul, Billy Porter, and Lady Gaga, who performed her hit Born This Way atop the Stonewall Inn float. Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul also joined the march, reiterating their support for equality and inclusion.
“We’re here to celebrate love, progress, and the incredible strength of this community,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City will always be a beacon for LGBTQ+ rights.”
While the atmosphere was overwhelmingly joyous, the event also carried a message of resilience in the face of rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the United States. Advocacy groups used the platform to demand federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly trans youth.
Security was tight, with over 1,000 NYPD officers deployed alongside private security teams. The event concluded without major incidents, with organizers praising the cooperation between law enforcement and community members.
“This is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action,” said Sarah Ramirez, a longtime activist. “We march not just for ourselves but for those who can’t.”
