16 Joyful Photos from Queens Pride in New York City
Teen Vogue is celebrating Pride by highlighting the stories that matter to the LGBTQIA community. See all our coverage here.
LGBTQ Pride Month started June 1, and that means parades will take place across the nation as communities celebrate their existence. While some places will celebrate Pride for the first time, others will see another entry into a long history of marching and partying.
So it was in the New York City borough of Queens on Sunday, June 2, where the latest edition of the Queens Pride parade that began in 1993 was held. The parade had relatively few corporate floats and politicians marching, though Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — both Democrats from New York — made appearances either in the parade or at the festival nearby.
While Teen Vogue missed out on snapping a pic in her blue crushed velvet suit, we were there on the ground documenting the styles, celebrations, and political messages marchers from the Queens community and several grassroots organizations had to share. Check out 16 of the best shots we got here.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue2/16A Political Side
Pride is more than just a celebration. That was apparent in Queens as several marchers demanded justice for trans women facing immigration detention and deportation. Some signs referenced Roxsana Hernández, a trans woman who died in ICE custody earlier this year. On the first day of 2019's pride month, a trans woman named Johana Medina Leon died after six weeks in ICE custody.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue3/16An Intergenerational Front
Marchers from the LGBTQ youth organization Generation Q and the Queens Center for Gay Seniors prove that pride knows no age.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue4/16New Kinds of Pride
This marcher from the Caribbean Equality Project was carrying a rainbow pride flag with two key stripes added: black and brown to represent the racial diversity of the LGBTQ community.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue5/16Princess Wave
A marcher in the Queens Pride Parade waves to the crowd with great form.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue6/16Pride Style
A pride parade watcher rocks platform boots with rainbow socks.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue8/16A Good Run
Some folks are in it for the long haul even beyond the parade route; these two marchers hold a sign reading "32 years together."
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue9/16Rainbow Realness
Queens Pride had the predictable bold style choices that are a hallmark of many pride parades
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue10/16The Full Acronym
A bit of sunlight helps these pride flags practically blend together.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue11/16Gettin' Jiggy With It
Parade marchers from the Hetrick Martin Institute break it down as they wait for the parade to start moving again.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue12/16The Beat Marches On
The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band brought a touch of old school parade style to the festivities.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue13/16Feeling Ourselves
The best part of pride is everyone knows how to strike a pose.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue14/16Elevating the Game
Not everyone's content to keep their dancing on the ground, as this marcher on stilts proved.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue15/1650 Years of Pride
This vendor had rainbow pride flags marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.
Lucy Diavolo for Teen Vogue16/16Pride to Go
The near ubiquitous rainbow flag is seen sticking out of a parade attendee's backpack.
