Heritage of Pride (HOP, also known as NYC Pride) is a wholly volunteer-managed, non-partisan, tax-exempt, non-profit organization that organizes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride events in New York City to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Heritage of Pride is one of the few LGBT organizations that is run at the grass-roots level.
Since 1984, HOP has been the producer and organizer of pride events in New York City. The March, "PrideFest" (a street fair), and the "Dance on the Pier" are the main events of Pride Week in New York City Gay Pride Week.
HOP/NYC Pride produces five primary events collectively known as NYC LGBT Pride:
"The Rally", On Saturday one week before the last Sunday of June, at the Summer Stage of NYC's Central Park.
"PrideFest", Last Sunday in June on Hudson St. btw Abingdon Sq. & West 14th St.
"Rapture", Saturday before Dance on the Pier, on Pier 54, 13th Street @ Hudson River Park
"Dance on the Pier", Last Sunday in June on Pier 54, 13th Street @ Hudson River Park, and
"The March", Last Sunday in June always starting at Noon down 5th Avenue to Christopher & Greenwich Street.
As HOP states on their website, "these events are organized for and on behalf of all (LGBT) individuals and groups, and all others who support the struggle for the liberation of these communities," and HOP "welcomes the participation of all, regardless of age, creed, gender, gender identification, HIV status, national origin, physical, mental or developmental ability, race, religion or sexual orientation."
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The Gay Pride March NYC Pride March is an annual March more commonly referred to as the Parade in New York City, traversing southward down Fifth Avenue and ending at Greenwich Village. The March passes by the site of the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, location of the 1969 police raid which launched the modern Gay Rights Movement.
The first NYC Gay Pride March was held in 1970 called the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day and is the oldest gay pride parade. The March has been and will continued to be called a March not a Parade until there is full equality for the LGBTQ community.
2009 marks the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City. For this reason, HOP in conjunction with NYC local government, promoted the event to attract people from around the world.
On February 9, 2010 NYC Pride announced Lt. Dan Choi as one of its Grand Marshals for the 40th Annual LGBT Pride March, which will occur on June 27, 2010.[2] When first approached about the request to be the NYC Grand Marshal, Lt. Choi responded with resounding excitement and a sense of honor for all who have struggled under this policy. Lt. Choi’s selection and acceptance of the honor of NYC LGBT Pride Grand Marshal marks the second time in U.S. history that an openly gay male currently serving with the U.S. Armed Forces will be an LGBT Pride March Grand Marshal.
On Monday, February 15, 2010; Heritage of Pride, the producers of the annual LGBT Pride March down 5th Avenue in New York City announced that Judy Shepard[3] has been selected as a Grand Marshal for the March along with Lt. Dan Choi previously announced.[4][5][6]
Constance McMillen, the Mississippi high school senior who fought her school's decision to cancel the prom rather than allow her to attend with her girlfriend, was named as the third Grand Marshal on April 12, 2010.[7]
Grand marshals for the 2009 march included incumbent Governor of New York, David Paterson[8] and three LGBT rights activists with close ties to Harvey Milk: