For 2020, Pride across the world looked a lot different than usual. The global pandemic sidelined many planned festivities, making the opt for virtual events instead. Add that with the reigniting of the Black Lives Matter movement and in New York City, Pride seemed to return to how things may have felt on the first-ever march. Now, organizers have announced preliminary plans for the 2021 event, themed "The Fight Continues."
According to a release, the event comes as we fight on multiple fronts; the pandemic, police brutality, the alarming murder rate of trans people of color, economic hardship, climate disasters, rights being questioned by the Supreme Court, and more.
"With this acknowledgement of what we're fighting for and the challenges we face, we also must find the strength — together — to continue the fight, "Andre Thomas, NYC Pride Co-Chair said in a statement. "We're fighting for ourselves, fighting for thee BIPOC and trans members of our community, and fighting or future generations. By making this the 2021 theme for NYC Pride, we acknowledge all that we've accomplished and look towards what still needs to be done. NYC Pride events offer an opportunity to gather in community and highlight the diversity, resilience, and power of the LGBTQIA+ community, giving us the energy and spirit we need to continue the fight."
This year's events will take place in June, as per normal. As vaccines roll out and new variants of the virus are discovered, there is no telling what state the world will be in. To wit, the annual NY Pride March on June 27th will be presented in a virtual format as well as "to-be-determined in-person events." Maybe they will borrow from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and allow the floats and march to gather with no onlookers. The June 25th Rally will also be virtual.
PrideFest and Pride Island, which is where the major musical events happen, will "return on June 27th, with further details to be revealed at a later time."
Expect other events as well like Pride Presents, the Human Rights Conference, Family Movie Night, and the second annual Black Queer Town Hall, all presented virtually.
This year's promotional imagery was shot by Cait Oppermann. The full campaign features Gia Love, G Xtravaganza, José Thomas, Krishna Stone, Reid Jefferson, Sam Mossallam, Karmenife X, Ryan Fletcher, Jasmine Rice, Monique Fontaine, Cory Wade, Mohamed Q. Amin, Eli Erlick, Vernon Leftwich, Ricardo Cooper, Harper Li, and Knox Lia. It was styled by Jacob Bengel with creative direction by David A. Correa, hair by Shideh Kuei, and makeup by J. Brandon Correa.
