The day was hot, and the crowd was big. An hour before the parade got down to 12th and 5th where we were, the streets were already lined with thousands of supporters. This year, for the first time, the many religious groups that are part of the march weren’t towards the end when people are tired, and the day has already been saturated by near-naked bodies and pulsating music. No, this year they were at the very front. And, frankly, it was awesome.

The ritual of the march is fairly moving. First come the Dykes on Bikes, loud, simple, in your face, totally friendly. Their opening is ceremonial. It is exciting and reassuring. They come ahead of the rest of the community with an unmistakable presence. They clear the road and send a simple message: we are here. They always seem to me like our protectors, our big sisters that won’t let anyone ruin our day, or ignore our fight. Then come the organizers (Thank You Heritage of Pride) and the Stonewall Veterans. You can’t help but feel a sense of pride and reality, as these men and women come by, reminding you of how far we’ve come and how far there is to go.

But now come the Grand Marshals. This year Rabbi Sharron Kleinbaum and Reverend Dr. Troy Perry lead the way. And there presence, followed by group after group of religious communities (30 communities in the first section alone!) was met with roaring cheers from the crowd. The annual discussion after the march seems to be about the glistening bodies taking over (not that we don’t enjoy them.) But this year Heritage of Pride, affirmed by the community, put religious and community groups front and center. The music, the faces, the kippot, the collars, all created a feeling of community. Not because everyone there was religious, but because we have come to learn in NY that these communities work very hard to support our families, friends, and city.  The long felt schism between religion and LGBTQ pride is being recognized as only one part of the story.  Our community has long been supported and strengthened by faith, and many of these group were created by the LGBTQ population.

Following them came all kinds of other community groups that are not the big names we all know (and are proud of) like PS 3, an elementary school downtown on the west side. The Little Red School House was also there, with a float covered in paintings by their students. There was also the North East Two-Spirit Society and African Ancestral Lesbians United for Societal Change.  It was Queer in the best ways, and it was loving.

We’ll try to get some photos up soon.