New York City was a technicolor dreamland this year as over a million fabulous folks took to the streets for the 2025 NYC Pride March – and honey, it was one for the books.
Organized by Heritage of Pride, the annual march once again transformed Manhattan into the epicenter of LGBTQIA+ visibility and resistance. The theme, “Rise Up: Pride in Protest,” echoed through the crowd like a battle cry, honoring the movement’s radical roots while pushing forward with resilience, glitter, and grace.
From Stonewall to 7th Avenue: A March for the Ages
The festivities officially kicked off at high noon from 26th Street and Fifth Avenue, but let’s be real — the energy had been building all morning. Marchers gathered early in their most dazzling looks, from sequins and feather boas to protest tees and leather harnesses. LGBTQIA+ families, activists, artists, and allies strutted, chanted, danced, and yes, vogued their way down the historic route through Lower Manhattan.
The march followed its iconic path, winding down Fifth Avenue, past the cheering crowds in Greenwich Village, and dispersing at 15th Street and Seventh Avenue – but the celebration was far from over. Every corner of downtown was pulsing with community joy and the unwavering spirit of protest.
A Sea of Pride (and a Fortress of Safety)
In a city that never sleeps – and definitely doesn’t sleep on Pride – safety remained top of mind. The NYPD had security on lock, lining the march route with more than 10,000 metal barriers, backed by sanitation trucks, police vehicles, and a visible presence of uniformed officers.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch assured the public that while there were no credible threats to the event, security measures were amped up due to ongoing global tensions, particularly in the Middle East.
“New York City will always be a place where every person can freely and openly be who they are, everywhere, all the time,” Tisch said in a statement that many marchers echoed during the event.
Protest With a Purpose
“Rise Up: Pride in Protest” wasn’t just a catchy slogan – it was a rallying point. Organizers and participants reminded the world that Pride didn’t start with parades – it started with a riot.
The march honored the legacy of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which ignited the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement, while also calling attention to the battles still being fought today: trans rights, anti-LGBTQ legislation, and racial justice were front and center in handmade signs, chants, and impassioned speeches from floats and rally stops.
“Pride is joy, but it’s also resistance,” said one marcher donning a cape made of protest signs. “We’re here to celebrate, but we’re also here to say: We’re not going anywhere.”
Street Closures and Full-On Takeover
If you were anywhere in Lower Manhattan on Sunday, you felt Pride – because traffic didn’t stand a chance. Streets from 33rd down to 15th were closed for the day as the crowd snaked through the city like a moving rainbow wave.
Greenwich Avenue, Christopher Street, and 7th Avenue became stages for spontaneous performances, kiss-ins, and emotional reunions. For one beautiful day, the city belonged to the people – unapologetically loud, proud, and unfiltered.
A Pride for the Record Books
From youth-led trans rights chants to voguing battles in front of Stonewall, the 2025 NYC Pride March was more than just a celebration. It was a reminder that queerness is power, protest is beautiful, and love – always – wins.
As marchers dispersed into afterparties, rooftop ragers, drag shows, and cozy community dinners, the spirit of the day lived on: Pride isn’t just one month, one march, or one day. It’s a lifelong commitment to living authentically, fighting for equity, and uplifting each other with fabulous ferocity.
