Empire State Review Team 
The city is gearing up for tomorrow’s highly anticipated NYC Pride March, expected to draw record-breaking crowds of over 2.5 million participants and spectators. The annual event, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and its ongoing fight for equality, will feature more than 100 floats, performances by world-renowned artists, and a lineup of speakers including activists, politicians, and celebrities.
This year’s theme, “Pride for All Generations,” highlights the contributions of LGBTQ+ elders while recognizing the importance of intergenerational unity in the fight for rights and visibility. The Grand Marshals include Laverne Cox, pioneering transgender actress and activist; Billy Porter, Emmy-winning performer; and 82-year-old Barbara Smith, a trailblazing Black lesbian feminist.
The march will begin at noon in Midtown, weaving through the city to culminate in the West Village near the Stonewall Inn. “This is a day to celebrate our resilience and our victories, but also to recommit to the work that lies ahead,” said Ann Northrop, co-chair of NYC Pride.
Security has been heightened in light of recent anti-LGBTQ+ incidents nationwide. The NYPD announced a multi-layered safety plan, including uniformed officers, plainclothes units, and counterterrorism teams stationed along the route. “We are committed to ensuring that everyone can celebrate safely,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
Local businesses, especially in Chelsea and Greenwich Village, are preparing for a surge in customers, with many hosting Pride-themed events and offering special promotions. The city has also set up hydration stations and first aid tents to accommodate the expected heat and large crowds.
With the march falling on the final weekend of Pride Month, organizers emphasize the importance of community engagement. “This is more than a parade; it’s a movement,” said Wilson Cruz, an LGBTQ+ advocate. “Together, we’re building a brighter, more inclusive future.”
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