New York Pride will be broadcast live on TV
New York Pride will be broadcast live on TV next month, it has been announced.
New York City Pride takes place on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
The Pride organisers announced that New York’s WABC-TV will be its official television partner for the event, and will broadcast live from the the 48th NYC LGBT Pride March.
The NYC Pride March started in 1970 as a civil rights demonstration on the 1-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
Today, it is one of the world’s best known LGBT events, with 350 marching contingents and more than 2 million spectators in 2016.
Chris Frederick, NYC Pride Managing Director, said: “WABC-TV will broadcast the annual trek down Fifth Avenue from Noon – 3 p.m. on Channel 7 and also stream the event on its website, abc7ny.com.
“This important new partnership comes at a time of political and social turmoil in many communities.
“We’re excited to have Tri-state viewers welcome us into their homes for what will be an unprecedented opportunity for the LGBT community’s collectiven voices to be heard.”
Dave Davis, President and General Manager of WABC-TV, added: “Channel 7 prides itself on being able to bring important, local celebrations of community spirit to as many people as possible.
“We look forward to making this year’s March the best ever.”
In addition to the live broadcast, the station will also provide coverage of other NYC Pride events across the Pride festival.
A statement continued: “This year’s theme, ‘We Are Proud’, speaks to the LGBT community’s unwavering ability to rise and be proud, even in the face of the existing political environment.”
The ACLU, which has led much of the legal resistance to the Trump administration, will head up New York’s Pride parade this year.
NYC Pride explained: “The American Civil Liberties Union has been the United States’ uncompromising defender of individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution for nearly 100 years.
“The ACLU brought its first LGBT rights case in 1936, brought the first case seeking the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in 1970, litigated the Supreme Court cases that took down the Defense of Marriage Act that won marriage equality nationwide, and represented transgender student Gavin Grimm before the Supreme Court.”
Three other activists were named as Grand Marshals.
They are Brooke Guinan is a 29-year-old trans activist and firefighter, Gay Men’s Health Crisis exec Krishna Stone, and Geng Le, a Chinese LGBT activist who created hook-up app Blued.
Julian Sanjivan, NYC Pride March Director, said: “In the social and political turmoil brought by the current Administration, the ACLU, Brooke, Krishna, and Geng represent the components of what will ultimately be a successful resistance movement.
“Our 2017 Grand Marshals are a snapshot of the numerous organizations, individuals, and philanthropists that will lead us through this unprecedented time in our nation.”
