The festival site. | DONNA ACETO
Tens of thousands turned out on June 3 in Jackson Heights to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival.
The parade included groups ranging from the Lesbian and Big Apple Corps marching band to the Queens Pride House, the borough’s LGBT community center — as well as one very proud gay marcher pictured with a police officer who, as it happens, is not.
The Big Apple Corps. | DONNA ACETO
The festival stage was filled with colorful entertainment as well as elected officials such as out gay Sunnyside City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer.
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer. | DONNA ACETO
Rocky Sanabria, a 14-year-old transgender student who will enter the Frank Sinatra High School of the Arts in the fall, also addressed the crowd.
Rocky Sanabria. | DONNA ACETO
Other elected officials on hand included Jackson Heights Councilman Daniel Dromm, who is gay and a founder of the celebration, seen with Queens State Senator Tony Avella.
Councilman Daniel Dromm and State Senator Tony Avella. | DONNA ACETO
The parade honored the memory of Julio Rivera, a gay man whose 1990 murder galvanized LGBT activists in the borough.
Marchers from the Queens Pride House. | DONNA ACETO
