It's still a departure from the 50th anniversary held in New York City two years ago, but crowds are gathering once again this weekend to continue the celebrations, marches and protests synonymous with Pride.
The first of the weekend crowds spilled out across neighborhood bars throughout the city, including Greenwich Village where late-night patrons enjoyed celebrating the weekend collectively once again.
Some elements remain virtual this year, while other events are keeping capacity limits in place in the wake of the pandemic. That includes the Heritage of Pride Parade scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
"It is still primarily virtual, there is a small showcase of around 200 people who wil be there, but it's definitely not the march we're used to. Come back next year, 2022, for that," one organizer told News 4.
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"[Pride] will have certain virtual elements, obviously with the pandemic winding down, we couldn't bring everything back in person," the organizer added.
The NYC Pride March broadcast special returned for a fifth consecutive year and featured live performances, on-air interviews, and exciting street-side marching activity.
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PrideFest offered people an in-person opportunity to gather on Sunday for vendors, food and entertainment at the Manhattan street fair. A dance party was also planned for Herald Square and fireworks, music and food were prepared for Pier 45 in Hudson River Park.
For people looking to march for LGBTQ rights, the Reclaim Pride Coalition is holding its third Queer Liberation March from Bryant Park to the Stonewall National Monument and into Washington Square Park.
Despite the changes to Pride for a second consecutive year, it was clear by the turnout Friday night that New Yorkers were ready to celebrate again.
"The parade is fun, but to me it's not about the parade," one New Yorker said. Another added, "It shouldn't be just one weekend, it should be pride all the time."
On a day marked with high temperatures and brilliant sunshine, throngs gathered around the city, at PrideFest, a street fair with vendors, food and entertainment in Manhattan; at Herald Square where a dance party was planned, and at Washington Square Park, where videos posted online showed a raucous party in progress. Fireworks, music and food were prepared for Pier 45 in Hudson River Park.
Sean Gannon from Maplewood, New Jersey, attended with his husband and two 3-year-old sons.
“It’s such an important thing for them to see that they have two dads and that there are other people that have two moms, two dads, single dads, single moms," Gannon told WCBS Radio. "There are all different ways that families are made up, so it’s really awesome to be able to share this experience with them today.”
For people looking to march for LGBTQ rights, the Reclaim Pride Coalition held its third Queer Liberation March from Bryant Park to the Stonewall National Monument and into Washington Square Park. The liberation march event does not allow police or corporate participation.
Still, there was police presence throughout and the NYPD says it arrested four people late Sunday night at Washington Square Park. It's unclear what charges they will face.
New York City's gay pride parades began in 1970 to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising, which started after a police raid on a Manhattan gay bar.
The Stonewall Inn is still there, now under different owners.
