The NYC Pride March, considered the largest Pride Parade in the United States, traces its origins back to 1969 when a ‘Gay Power’ demonstration with around 500 participants took place in Washington Square Park. Since then, the march has grown significantly in size and importance.
This year, NYC Pride 2023 will not only celebrate its rich legacy but also highlight future projects such as the opening of the LGBTQ Visitor Center in 2024 and The American LGBTQ+ Museum in 2026.
The American LGBTQ+ Museum
The American LGBTQ+ Museum, a highly anticipated development, will occupy a 4,000-square-foot gallery space and an entire floor. The museum aims to showcase LGBTQ+ history and culture through rotating exhibitions, permanent displays, and a ‘virtual museum’ experience. Its opening is projected to take place around 2026, and it is expected to become a significant cultural institution for the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ Visitor Center
Another exciting project on the horizon is the LGBTQ Visitor Center, set to open in 2024 within the Stonewall National Monument. The center, located next to the historic Stonewall Inn, will offer insights into the history of the LGBTQ+ movement, particularly focusing on the significance of the Stonewall Inn. Spanning 3,700 square feet, the site will feature artwork by LGBTQ+ artists, provide guided tours of the area, and host lectures on the history of the Stonewall uprising.
Events & Exhibitions During Pride Month in NYC
As part of the month-long celebration of NYC Pride, numerous events and exhibitions will take place throughout June.
- The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art: The “Oceanic, Portal” exhibition draws inspiration from the work of queer crip Chicanx feminist Gloria Anzaldúa and scholar Tiffany Lethabo King’s reimagining of colonial systems of knowledge.
- The Whitney Museum of American Art: Explore the queer history of the Meatpacking District, attend parties inspired by New York’s iconic ballroom culture, and engage in creative workshops, film screenings, performances, and more.
- The Loisaida Center: will present a month-long arts series titled “June is for Drag” in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community, curated by queer artist Gabriel G Torres and showcasing previously unseen work by lens-based artist Ernesto Linnemann spanning over 15 years.
- The NYC AIDS Memorial: The unveiling of two significant installations during Pride month: “Jim Hodges: Craig’s Closet” explores the concept of closets as containers of personal stories, secrets, and dreams, while “Weavers of the Daisy Chain Gang Chorus: Ties That Bond” is a durational performance/installation in which artists weave ribbons, sound, movement, music, and text throughout the memorial site.
- Brooklyn Pride Parade: This will take place on June 10, offering an opportunity for the local community to come together and celebrate Pride. Additionally, the Talking Statues Project will bring the Stonewall Uprising to life on June 11, as Christopher Park and the George Segal “Gay Liberation” statues come alive, narrated by Broadway actor Jenn Colella.
NYC Pride March 2023
The NYC Pride March, the highlight of the celebrations, is scheduled for June 25. This year’s Grand Marshals include Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle, and Randolph ‘Randy’ Wicker, with Angelica Ross returning as co-host on the broadcast special. The march will be a vibrant display of LGBTQ+ pride, solidarity, and resilience.
Celebrate Pride & Have Toast at Hibernia
Overall, NYC Pride 2023 promises to be a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, history, and activism, showcasing the progress made over the years and setting the stage for future projects that will contribute to the visibility and empowerment of the community.
Anytime you are out to celebrate pride month in NYC, you must stop by Hibernia and have a drink! All are welcome and the fun never stops! Bring your friends and enjoy the LGBTQ+ love at the best Guinness bar in NYC!
And, for the first time ever, we’re proudly selling our very own Hibernia Bar Pride Tees! Show your pride every damn day of the week with our very own Pride Tees. Click the link to get yours today!
