Pride Month Kicks Off in Jackson Heights

Among those leading off the parade were former State Senator Tom Duane (left), City Councilmember Daniel Dromm (center), and longtime activist Brendan Fay (to Dromm’s right). | DONNA ACETO

As is its tradition, Queens Pride kicked off the city’s month-long celebration of the LGBTQ community in Jackson Heights on June 4 with a turnout far exceeding last year’s and a special focus on those who lost their lives to hate crimes over the decades.

Leaders in the fight for equal rights walked the parade route on the event’s 25th anniversary along with many elected officials and community organizations.

A World War II veteran jumped into the parade to unofficially lead it. | MARK HALLUM

Onlookers were treated to the unexpected sight of an elderly man in a World War II veteran’s hat dancing while waving an American flag as he unofficially led the procession that started at 37th Avenue and 89th Street. The man, who did not give his name, said he is from a nearby liberal church.

“This is my first [Pride Parade], and probably my last,” he said. “I may not live that long.”

LGBTQ community marks 25 years of celebrations in Queens

City Councilmembers Daniel Dromm of Jackson Heights and Jimmy Van Bramer of Sunnyside, both out gay Democrats, were at the forefront of the procession as grand marshals. With them were State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, also a grand marshal, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Councilmemembers Carlos Menchaca, a gay Democrat from Brooklyn, and Eric Ulrich, an Ozone Park Republican, and former State Senator Tom Duane, one of the first out gay elected officials in the state.

Youth from FIERCE! turned out in Queens. | DONNA ACETO

The officials and others all took a pause from the march to pay tribute to Julio Rivera, a gay man who was murdered in 1990 by two assailants whom Dromm described as “white supremacist skinheads.” Rivera’s family was there, cradling the cremated remains of their loved one in their arms.

“I miss my brother,” said Rivera’s brother, Ted, his voice trembling with emotion. “It’s hard even now to speak of my brother over 25 years from when he was killed. But I’m happy so much good came out of it. We’re very grateful to [Dromm] and the gay community.”

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli with City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca. | DONNA ACETO

DiNapoli took the microphone to urge attendees not to be discouraged with the current political climate, but to keep fighting for LGBTQ rights through legislation such as GENDA, a bill that would add gender identity as a protected class under the state’s human rights law — barring discrimination in employment, housing, and other areas — as well as in the state’s hate crimes law.

“This parade and the activity that Queens Pride does throughout the year has really been transformative,” DiNapoli said. “We are a better community because of your efforts and we know we’re living in a very strange time with a lot of challenges out there. It means we need to keep the work going.”

James encouraged people to use all the resources at their disposal to keep fighting for the values of the LGBTQ movement.

Queens Pride comes in the brightest colors. | DONNA ACETO

“At a time when our democracy is under attack and our values are under attack, Julio’s death must not be in vain,” James said. “All of us must rise up and use our voice to stand up for freedom for who we love. This is really all about love.”

The importance of Queens Pride is more than just LGBTQ legal advances, however, according to Van Bramer. There are men and women from Queens communities who would not be alive without support from such events as Queens Pride to make them feel safe to be themselves, he said.

City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. | DONNA ACETO

“All of us who remember those dark times remember Julio Rivera every time we march,” Van Bramer said. “We would have none of what we have if it weren’t for the pioneers. For so many LGBTQ folks who dared to be who they are and live their full truths, and Julio Rivera was one of those gay men. So everything we have, everything we celebrate today, we owe to Julio Rivera and to all of those who came before us.”

Dromm, a founder of the parade, then led the crowd in a moment of silence for members of the LGBTQ community who have died.

The parade was followed by a street fair with food, many Latin American vendors from the surrounding neighborhoods, community organizations, and entertainers.