WorldPride 2019 is less than two months away and it’s time to prepare for the global celebration’s arrival in New York.
The historic event will be making its debut in the United States since its founding in 2000 and will also honor the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
With this year's theme, Millions of Moments of Pride, it’s important to acknowledge the millions of people internationally and domestically who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community. Since New York is known as one of the world’s cultural “melting pots,” there’s no better place for visitors from all backgrounds to come together and blend as one, no matter their race, religion, orientation or culture.
WorldPride provides a platform that promotes freedom and human rights for culturally diverse people. So it’s especially important to acknowledge how they have and continue to recognize Black people across the world throughout its history. Check out the four most notable moments below.
1. Gloria Gaynor, RuPaul and The Village People performed at the first WorldPride in 2000
The inaugural WorldPride was held in Rome in 2000. Although there was much controversy surrounding the first global celebration being held there, it was one of the biggest crowds to gather in Rome during its time. The first celebration held conferences, a fashion show, a large parade and a leather dance. To top it off, the concert featured some of the most recognized figures in the LGTBQIA+ community such as I Will Survive disco artist, Gloria Gaynor, The Village People, who are popularly known for their songs Macho Man and YMCA, along with Legendary drag queen and TV personality, RuPaul.
2. Deborah Cox and CeCe Peniston performed at the first WorldPride celebration in North America.
WorldPride made its North America debut in 2014 for its fourth celebration.
Thousands came together to celebrate the fourth WorldPride for 10 days to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Canadian-born singer, Deborah Cox performed at the opening ceremony of the Rise Up themed celebration along with other popular performers.
CeCe Peniston, who is most known for her song, Finally, performed at the closing celebration along with other musical acts after over 12,000 came together to celebrate over a week of festivities.
3. The cast of Pose and Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, will serve as grand marshals for WorldPride 2019
During the month-long celebration of parades, rallies, and conferences to commemorate the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, the cast of New York-based show Pose is set to lead the streets of New York to serve as grand marshals for the 2019 NYC Pride March. Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, co-founder of UK Black Pride and well-known organizer will also be marching alongside the cast as a grand marshal for the celebration and commemoration of the LGBTQIA+ movement.
4. Grace Jones will headline Pride Island 2019 on Saturday, along with Teyana Taylor and Amara La Negra.
Black Girl Magic is in full effect for the Pride Island concert this year. Music icon and supermodel Grace Jones will be headlining the multi-day musical event, Pride Island on June 29, with multi-talented performer, Teyana Taylor and Afro-Latina musical artist, Amara La Negra.
“We have a full month of events that speak to the vibrant and inclusive nature of our LGBTQIA+ community,” said Eboni Munn, NYC Pride’s Communications Manager. “From Grace Jones, Teyana Taylor, and Amara La Negra at Pride Island to the cast of POSE and Lady Phyll at the NYC Pride March, the magic, style, and grace of Black and Latinx women, in particular, will shine bright this Pride season in New York.”
WorldPride 2019 | Stonewall 50 will certainly be filled with smiles, laughs, happiness and love. The inclusive event is the perfect place for Black people in the LGBTQIA+ community to come together and celebrate one another. It is a safe haven for anyone to feel empowered and be their authentic, true self. Don’t miss out on an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience to honor a historic moment not only in U.S. history, but world history.
This piece is brought to you by NYC Pride.
