Loss of NYC’s 50th Annual Pride March Hinders Visibility
Source: NY LGBT Sites
Mayor Bill De Blasio announced on April 20 that all permits for June events in New York City would be nullified due to COVID-19 concerns. This decision has caused the first ever cancellation of the city’s annual Pride March since its inception in 1970, hitting during the event’s pivotal 50th anniversary. While some cities are looking to postpone their festivities for a later date in 2020, the co-chair of NYC Pride, Maryanne Roberto Fine, stated that “large scale events such as [the march] are unlikely to happen in the near future” and that they will need to “reimagine NYC Pride events” (via Forbes).
While there is talk about attempting to digitize NYC Pride and host the celebrations online, there is a newfound uncertainty in regards to the future of the LGBTQIA+ community’s public voice. New York City’s Pride March is the largest in the country, consistently drawing in over two million people every year. Since its conception, the event has encapsulated the demand for acceptance and liberty of expression for the LGBTQIA+ community. These demands become significantly less visible in an online space. When the streets of a city are flooded by millions, it is hard to turn a blind eye on the festivities. In the digital world, it simply takes one click.
Source: NY Curbed
For a community that has been systematically erased from history and media, visibility is vital for progress. The NYC Pride March is a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community’s call to freely be loud and proud; the move to online spaces greatly limits their volume, and thus fosters concern about how this will limit LGBTQIA+ awareness. To combat this, there has been a push to remain visible in the online hemisphere. Hashtags such as #LGBTQuarantine have risen to top trending spots on Twitter because of community members posting selfies decorated with unapologetic rainbows and smiles. Their faces serve as a reminder that in a time of isolation and fear, it is more important than ever to be vocal, open minded, and most importantly, proud.
Report: Nicolette Schneiderman
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