NYC Pride Reveals 2014 Grand Marshals: Laverne Cox, Rea Carey, Jonathan Groff

Via press release:

Heritage of Pride, organizers of NYC Pride and the annual New York City Pride March, today announced the Grand Marshals for 2014. This year’s marshals are Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Transgender Activist and “Orange is the New Black” actress Laverne Cox; and Broadway, film, and television actor Jonathan Groff, appearing this summer in “The Normal Heart.” “Our 2014 marshals are leaders in brilliant forms of activism through which LGBT people and their allies engage,” said March Director David Studinski. “Individually, they represent the diversity within the LGBT community and the various struggles our community members have and continue to face. Collectively, their stories reinforce that no voice is too small nor weak to make change in our world - and it starts with being yourself.”

GLAAD Head To Donohue: March With Me

"As a fellow Irish New Yorker, I'm hoping Bill will march with me at NYC Pride. I look forward to the day when I can march openly with Bill in the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade, and not be turned away because of who I am." - GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis, inviting Catholic League blowhard Bill Donohue to march with her in the 2014 NYC Pride parade. Earlier today, the Catholic League was granted permission to participate.

Signorile Cheers NYC Pride For Agreeing To March Demand By Catholic League

"Let's go for more speech, not less. Let Donohue march under his Straight is Great; banner if he truly wants. I mean, straights are great, even if gays are great too, right? Or as Pride Director David Studinski, put, 'Straight is great -- as long as there's no hate.'  And let me march under a banner right in front of Donohue's contingent, saying, 'Bill Donohue is the Biggest Blowhard on the Face of Planet Earth.' I'm even happy to amend that banner to say, 'Gays Who Believe that Bill Donohue is the Biggest Blowhard on the Planet Earth.' I'm sure I'll have a sizable contingent. And OK, if that's not cool, then those of us who are Catholic and gay should simply march alongside Donohue, as part of the 'league,' with signs that say 'Gay, Catholic and Proud.' [snip] The very first thing we all need to do today is thank the LGBT Pride committee in New York City for letting Bill Donohue march in the parade. And the second thing we all need to do, later on in the day, is buy ourselves or someone else a cold Guinness." - Michelangelo Signorile, writing for the Huffington Post.

RELATED: My post about NYC Pride agreeing to Donohue's demand is here.

NYC Pride Agrees: "Straight Is Great", Catholic League Welcome To March

On Sunday, Guinness Beer announced that it was dropping its sponsorship of the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade over the event's long-running exclusion of LGBT groups. That move prompted an immediate outcry from anti-gay groups, the loudest of which has been the NYC-based Catholic League, whose leader Bill Donohue yesterday demanded permission for his group to march in the 2014 NYC Pride March behind a banner that would read, "Straight Is Great."  In a letter provided to JMG today, Heritage Of Pride, the organizers of the NYC Pride March, agreed to Donohue's demand.

From Heritage Of Pride's response:

“Mr. Donohue and his group are free to participate in the 2014 March. His group’s presence affirms the need for this year’s Pride theme, ‘We Have Won When We’re One.’ Straight is great – as long as there’s no hate,” said David Studinski, March Director of NYC Pride. Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride, added, “Straight allies are great. We have thousands of straight people participating in the Pride March, including Catholic groups, who support LGBT youth, families and married couples.” GLAAD's Commentator Accountability Project provided background information on Bill Donohue's recent statements on LGBT people. On February 27, 2014, Donohue gave a video interview with World Over with Raymond Arroyo in which he stated, "If I wanted to get into their gay pride parade with my own float with big banners saying 'straight is great,' they would have a right to feel put-upon and I wouldn't do that to them."

The letter goes on to note the Catholic League's long-standing opposition to LGBT rights.

Mr. Donohue has been an outspoken opponent of legal recognition of LGBT people, loving LGBT families, the science of sexual orientation and HIV/AIDS education. He continually refers to marriage equality as "crazy" and "one of the most bizarre ideas in human history," and he has equated the marriage equality movement with the "minority of people in South Africa who took away the rights of Black people;" insists “we’re not going to allow gay people to adopt children, that’s against nature, it’s against nature’s God;” champions a program called Courage, which tells LGBT people that a chaste, celibate life is the only acceptable option; and on multiple occasions, Mr. Donohue has referred to AIDS as "self-inflicted" and due to going against “natural order.”

For further examples of anti-gay statements by Catholic League head Bill Donohue, visit the GLAAD Commentator Accountability Project at this link. Embiggen the above letter from Heritage Of Pride to read their response in full. The letter is also available for download at the JMG Scribd account.  Donohue has not yet responded to the decision by Heritage Of Pride. When he does, that reaction will be added as an update to this post.

Girl Pride NYC At Pier 57

Yesterday I dropped by Rapture On The River, NYC Pride's annual party for gals. The event was held for the first time at the cavernous and enclosed Pier 57 due the pending demolition of the open-air Pier 40 next door, the traditional site for the party. The space is astoundingly massive, so much so that some of the more athletic attendees were playing frisbee and kickball before it got too crowded. I had a blast, seriously, and especially enjoyed how vocally the crowd responded to the insanely gorgeous dancers. I thought men were pigs! I met a lot of fun people and will definitely put this is on my annual list, cuz those girls throw down. The "boys party" is at the same space tonight and features a performance by Cyndi Lauper, plus an as-yet unnamed headliner.

JC Penney In NYC's Pride Guide

You-know-who isn't going to like this! JC Penney will also have a float in the New York City pride parade!

Cyndi Lauper To Perform At Pier Dance

Breaking with many years of tradition, NYC Pride has announced the headliner for this year's Pier Dance. That news is typically kept secret right up until they appear on the stage. Via press release:

“Pride is about celebration, we are honored to have Cyndi celebrate with us,” said Mo George, Dance Director. “What an amazing way to introduce our new home for the Pier Dance to our audience, with a memorable performance from Grammy Award winning artist, Cyndi Lauper,” said Chris Frederick, Managing Director. “We will continue to raise the bar on delivering a high caliber production for this event that will definitely not disappoint.” NYC Pride also announced a new extended run time for the Dance on the Pier. The event will begin at 5 p.m., following the conclusion of the LGBT Pride March, and run until 2 a.m.

At least this year, we won't have those annual "Madonna is in town!" rumors.

UPDATE: NYC Pride writes to clarify that Cyndi is not the headliner and that they're "in talks" with another artist for a 1:45am performance. Resume the rumor mill!

The Power Bears Of NYC Pride (Plus Me)

A couple of months ago, the folks at NYC Pride invited me to pose for their "Rise Of The Power Bears" feature. I know, right? But since my hero, Carl Siciliano of the Ali Forney Center, had already signed on, how could I refuse? Rounding out our trio was Kiehl's president Chris Salgardo, who is also one of this year's Grand Marshals. The above shot is the final result of two hours in a West Village barbershop, where I think photographer Steven Rosen finally decided that putting me in the chair made the size difference between those two big guys and me less apparent. Plus, I finally got Carl between my legs!

NYC Pride Announces Grand Marshals

Via press release from Heritage of Pride:

Heritage of Pride is pleased to announce Chris Salgardo, Cyndi Lauper, and Connie Kopelov & Phyllis Siegel as Grand Marshals for the 43rd Annual LGBT Pride March on June 24, 2012. These individuals represent a colorful portrait of the LGBT community and include the President of Kiehl's Since 1851, an Emmy and Grammy award-winning LGBT youth advocate, and New York City's first legally married same-sex couple. "Our choices for this year's Grand Marshals embody everything we look for in representatives that give back to the LGBT community and have made a huge impact on the overall movement. Chris Salgardo's consistent track record on corporate responsibility, Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Foundation, and Connie & Phyllis' symbolic, newly legalized union further prove that the LGBT movement is alive and well." said Mike Dunlap, March Director.

NYC Pride Names 2011 Grand Marshals

Via press release:

NYC Pride is excited to announce Dan Savage, Terry Miller, Rev. Pat Bumgardner, and the Imperial Court of New York as Grand Marshals for the 42 Annual LGBT Pride March, which will occur on June 26, 2011. “We are thrilled at the opportunity of hosting such inspiring leaders of LGBT marriage equality, community service, and youth self-assurance.” stated Mike Dunlap, 2011 NYC Pride March Director.

RELATED: I'll be marching with NYC Digital Activists for the third year. JMG readers are welcome to join us! More about that as the date gets closer.

NYC Pride Cuts Parade Route By A Mile

As I told you back in February, as a cost-cutting measure the NYPD has mandated that parade routes be significantly shorter in 2010. Accordingly, today NYC's Heritage of Pride announced that they were reducing the length of this years parade by 16 blocks. Via press release:

Although the March used to begin at 52nd St. & 5th Ave., this year, it will step off at 36th St. & 5th Ave. The result is a parade that is shorter than usual by 0.8 miles. Consequently, the judges and reviewing stand had to be relocated to a new location at 9th St. & 5th Ave. Nevertheless, the parade will still begin at noon on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Also, it will still end at Christopher St. & Greenwich St., meaning that it continues to pass the site of the Stonewall riots. "Some people running NYC Pride are disappointed by the announcement," says Arthur Finn, Co-chair of Heritage of Pride, Inc., the non-profit organization that plans the events, "but, we understand the city's need for the change this year." Furthermore, "we aren't alone," says Finn, "as the city says it is requiring that every parade make the same sort of reduction as we did for this year." At the same time, “the shortened March route will not diminish the importance of the March,” announced Fran Rolan, the Senior Co-chair and counterpart to Finn. “We are more excited than ever to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the first LGBT Pride March.”

To my mind, a shorter route means denser, most festive crowds and a quicker finish. Win-win.

Constance McMillen Named Grand Marshal Of NYC 2010 Gay Pride Parade

Finally, I can spill what I've known for ten days. Mississippi high school senior Constance McMillen has been named a grand marshal of NYC's gay pride parade.

Constance McMillen, a Mississippi high school honors student who fought back when her school told her she couldn’t take her girlfriend to the prom, has been announced as one of the Grand Marshals for the 41st Annual LGBT Pride March in New York on June 27, 2010. “I never dreamed so many people would support my fight to take my girlfriend to the prom, much less that I’d end up being asked to be a Grand Marshal at NYC Pride,” said McMillen, an 18-year-old high school senior from Fulton, Mississippi, adding, “I’m really honored and touched to be asked to be part of this celebration.” McMillen is the plaintiff in an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit challenging her school’s decision to cancel the prom rather than let her bring her girlfriend as her date and wear a tuxedo to the prom.

Joining McMillen as 2010 grand marshals are Lt. Dan Choi and Judy Shepard.

NYPD Mandates Shorter Parades

If you're one of the folks who never makes it through the entire Pride parade, you may be in luck. NYC's parades will have to be shorter in duration and in route according to a new rule issued by the NYPD.

On Monday, the department announced that starting on April 1, the city’s parades must cut the distances they cover by 25 percent — and also not be more than five hours long. The scaled-down celebrations will cost $3.1 million less for police presence, the department said, and will help it avoid cuts in “essential police services,” like investigating crime and terrorism threats. [snip] “I personally was wondering, how are they going to do this?” said Arthur Finn, co-chairman of Heritage of Pride, which produces the LGBT Pride March, traditionally a six-hour event. “If it’s 5 o’clock and ten of thousands of people are on the street, are they going to say, ‘O.K., you’re going to have to go home now?’ ”

Madelyn Lugo, a spokeswoman for the Puerto Rican Day Parade, said her organization had already shortened its march by two hours, starting at 11 a.m. and now ending at 5 p.m., at the Police Department’s behest. Before that, she said, each marching group or organization could invite hundreds of marchers. Now, she said, the cap is 50 people each. “It’s going to be hard because of the amount of participants we have,” she said. “I don’t think we can accommodate those people in five hours.” Norman Siegel, the civil rights lawyer, said the new restrictions should be challenged in court. “New York City should not be balancing its budget by cutting historical First Amendment activities,” he said.

The rule goes into effect two weeks after this year's massive St. Patrick's Day Parade, whose grand marshal is NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. Convenient!

NYC Pride Grand Marshall: Judy Shepard

Judy Shepard will be joining Lt. Dan Choi as Grand Marshall of this year's NYC Pride March. Via Queer New York:

NYC LGBT Pride (aka HOP) will announce Tuesday, February 16th 2010, that Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, has accepted the honor and role of Grand Marshal for the 41st Annual LGBT Pride March, which will occur on June 27th, 2010. When first approached about the request to be the NYC Grand Marshal, Ms. Shepard responded with excitement and a sense of honor. Ms. Shepard’s selection and acceptance of the honor of NYC LGBT Pride Grand Marshal marks her 3rd official and final appearance as an LGBT pride march Grand Marshal.

The above mention that this will be Judy's "third and final" appearance suggests that she may be retiring from public activism following the successful passage of the Matthew Shepard Act. Can anybody confirm that? Or does the HOP have a three-term limit, so to speak?

NYC Pride Grand Marshall: Dan Choi

Lt. Dan Choi will be a Grand Marshall of this year's NYC Pride March. Via Queer New York:

This past Monday, February 8th 2010, at a meeting of NYC Pride (aka Heritage of Pride) it was announced that Lt. Dan Choi would be one of the Grand Marshals for the 41st Annual LGBT Pride March, which will occur on June 27th, 2010. When first approached about the request to be the NYC Grand Marshal, Lt. Choi responded with resounding excitement and a sense of honor for all who have struggled under this policy. Lt. Choi’s selection and acceptance of the honor of NYC LGBT Pride Grand Marshal marks the first time in U.S. history that an openly gay male on active service with the U.S. Armed Forces will be an LGBT Pride March Grand Marshal.

Choi was the Grand Marshall of San Francisco's pride parade in 2009.

Swag Tuesday

Courtesy of the Saint At Large, today's Swag Tuesday booty is two tickets to the Love Ball, this Saturday's massive Pride dance at Times Square's Nokia Theatre.

THE SAINT AT LARGE in association with THE FEDERATION OF BALLROOM HOUSES present Love Ball. Gay Pride Weekend, Saturday, June 27, 2009, 10 pm until dawn, Nokia Theatre Times Square. Music by: Alyson Calagna and Chris Cox. Opening DJ Vjuan Allure Commentator: Jack Mizrahi. Lights by: Guy Smith. The Official Opening Night Party Benefiting HERITAGE OF PRIDE.

Advance tickets to the Love Ball are $70 until the day of the event. VIP tickets including open bar and backstage access are $125. Buy tickets online here. A special combo package of a Love Ball ticket plus a ticket to the Pier Dance is $130. Buy tickets here.

Enter to win two tickets to the Love Ball by commenting on this post. Only enter once and please remember to leave your email address in the text of your comment. Entries close at midnight Wednesday, west coast time. If you cannot be in NYC on the day of the event, your winning entry is transferable to another party. Publicists: if you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.

NYC's PRIDEfest Returns

After last year's contentious permit dispute with the city resulted in the cancellation of PRIDEfest (the post-parade street fair), Heritage Of Pride has secured the city's approval for a new location of the event.

The 15th Annual PRIDEfest will take place Sunday, June 29, on Hudson Street between Abingdon Square and West 14th Street. Last year, HOP requested to move the event a day earlier and to Eighth Avenue in Chelsea because the old space on Washington Street was too crowded and less accessible; HOP also claimed that holding the event the same time as the March limited the number of people who could attend both.

But the mayor’s office made it clear that Chelsea was not an option, so HOP did some scouting around. Many of their choices were off-limits: major construction was under way at Washington Square Park, and none of the avenues were available because Fifth Avenue was already closed due to the March. David Schneider, co-chair of HOP, said that their options narrowed down to two: the former Washington Street space or Hudson Street. “We chose the new space for its width and its better upkeep,” he said.

(Via - New York Blade)

Grand Marshalls And Atheists

On Sunday I started my day at the Heritage of Pride press tent for the news conference with this year's grand marshalls: Rev. Troy Perry and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum. Facing an army of news cameras, they both spoke eloquently about gay rights and religious tolerance. At least, I presume they did, I couldn't hear a dang thing, despite being less than 10 feet away, thanks to the noise of passersby. At one point a reporter leaned over to me and asked, "What was that last thing she said?" I shrugged, "Something about aardvarks?" I did get to meet them both briefly afterwards and they were very gracious, but I didn't ask them to rehash their words.

Hours later, after the 20th or so religious group had passed us in the parade, I wondered aloud why there was no atheist contingent. What would our signs say? Would we be allowed to march in the religion section? What would our chant be? And more importantly, what about outfits? Suggestions appreciated.

Pier Dance 2007

This year's Pier Dance was a fantastic (if occasionally gruelling) exercise in trying to stay with your friends, as the crush of 5000 men continuously attempts to separate you. It was like being in that episode of Star Trek when they visit the planet where nobody ever dies. Definitely not for the claustrophobic. Still, I managed to hang onto the Farmboyz and the Thruple for the entire event, a first time victory for me.

DJs Larry Needham and Jonathan Porter totally knocked it out of the park, providing a lovely melange of (screaming diva-free) breezy, jazzy house and disco classics. Highlights: How Could I Love You More - M People, Everytime I Close My Eyes - Lustral, Red Letter Day - Pet Shop Boys, and my favorite 90's trance hit, Madagascar's You're Beautiful. That song has tremendous emotional resonance for me as it was the late DJ Neil Lewis' trademark song for my circle of friends. It wrecked me even before Neil died, now much more so. It was dark when You're Beautiful was played, rendering some cover for my tears.

I feel real good this evening
And I feel good for one reason
We're all here together
I love what you're doing to me
You're beautiful
The gay cheerleaders did a tumbling/acrobatics show around twilight, following a couple of hours later by headliner Idina Menzel, the Tony Award winning lead of Wicked. Nobody around us seemed to know who she was, although when I explained that she was married to Taye Diggs, that got their attention and they began scanning the crowd around the stage to see if he'd accompanied her. No such luck, apparently. Menzel delivered a rather rote two-song set, with little banter to the audience. The dance mix of Wicked's first act closer, Defying Gravity, was actually OK, especially considering the grievous track record of discofied showtunes.

The evening closed with Heritage of Pride's annual fireworks display over the Hudson River, fired from a barge just off the pier. To the accompaniment of Aaron Copeland's Fanfare For The Common Man and the Beatles' All You Need Is Love, thousands of gay men pulled their lovers and friends into tight, swaying groups. To crib from last year's Pier Dance post, "The fireworks began and we turned to face the Hudson, arms around each other, our faces illuminated by the rockets in the sky and the love we have for each other." Thanks again to all my friends for entirely perfect day. While I realize that five minutes of fireworks may not make the most compelling video, it will hold sentimental value to those who attended. And watch for the Farmboyz having a romantic moment a couple of minutes in.

HOP Denied Festival Permit

After nine months of planning and meeting with neighborhood groups, Heritage Of Pride, NYC's gay pride organization, was denied a permit (PDF) by the city to move this year's PRIDEfest event from its traditional West Village location to Chelsea's 8th Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets. Heritage Of Pride maintains that the West Village location is "not safe, not accessible, and not acceptable." They will be holding an emergency meeting tonight to discuss cancelling PRIDEfest, which is a separate event from the parade itself. The new location was approved by a coalition of over 60 businesses in the 8th Avenue area.

UPDATE: Last night HOP voted to cancel PRIDEfest if they cannot obtain the permit by Friday. They now plan a post-parade protest in the West Village location where they do have permits.