NEW YORK (AP) — Pride parades kicked off in New York City and around the country Sunday with glittering confetti, cheering crowds, fluttering rainbow flags and newfound fears about losing freedoms won through decades of activism.
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Hundreds celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and remembering the years of fight for equal rights. But the event was marked by fear after Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court said in a ruling striking down the right to abortion, that the Court should reconsider the right to same-sex marriage.A day to celebrate equal rights, this year stained with uncertainty.The New York City LGBTQ+ community is united as one, more than ever. This is a time in which people get to really show their true selves in an open and beautiful and vibrant way and it's truly accepted. And I think that is what people need, said Saint Thomas, Pride parade attendee.The theme for this year's 53rd annual march was "Unapologetically Us."Amid fears of setbacks from decades of struggles for the rights of LGBTQ+ members, some say the overturning of the right to abortion is a warning, a sign that their fight for freedom is not over.Everybody's entitled to love. Again, nobody is entitled to tell nobody else what to do. You're entitled to love whoever you want whenever you want," said Nani Diaz, Pride parade attendee.In response to the Supreme Court's ruling on abortion, Planned Parenthood led the march.I had a girlfriend when gay marriage was legalized, when I was like 12 years old I can't imagine a world where that's ever the reality again, said Juliana Cuicio, Pride parade attendee.But of course, the festivities were not interrupted; there's too much to celebrate.Floats, people dancing on the streets, cheerleaders, music, and fun. Even New York Governor Kathy Hochul took part in the New York City pride march.And the rainbow flag, waving stronger than ever as a sign of peace, remembrance for those who fought. A reminder that love is above all.New York City's first pride march was in 1970, and it was to mark the first anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion, an uprising triggered by a police raid on a gay bar in the West Village in Manhattan.
Photos: Pride parades across the US
Spectators watch as revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
A reveler marches down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
A reveler holds a sign showing support of abortion rights as she marches down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Revelers with Planned Parenthood march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Revelers march down 5th Ave. during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Supporters of California State Senator Scott Wiener march during SF Pride parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 26, 2022. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Paradegoers wave flags during the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Paradegoers participate in the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Congresswoman Jackie Speier waves to the crowd during the SF Pride parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 26, 2022. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Parade-goers ride a float during the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
A parade-goer and his dog ride a Segway during the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
A spectator holds a sign that reads "My Son Got Married!" during the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Spectators watch as revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Spectators cheer on as revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
A participant gestures whole holding a giant U.S. flag during the 51st Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Sunday, June 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Durr)
Participants cheer during the 51st Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Sunday, June 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Durr)
Spectators cheer while holding up signs in opposition of the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that has ended constitutional protections for abortion during the 51st Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Sunday, June 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Durr)
A participant holds a flag during the 51st Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Sunday, June 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Durr)
Spectators watch as revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
