New York City Pride has announced the official theme for 2021, “The Fight Continues,” which "reflects the multitude of battles we’ve been fighting as a country and as a city," the organization said in a press release. "With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, issues of police brutality, the alarming murder rate for trans POC, economic hardship, climate disasters, violent efforts to disenfranchise voters, our rights as a community being questioned at the level of the Supreme Court, and more, we are in the midst of many different fights.”
“Within this acknowledgement of what we’re fighting for and the challenges we face, we also must find the strength – together – to continue the fight,” André Thomas, NYC Pride Co-Chair said in a statemnet. “We’re fighting for ourselves, fighting for the BIPOC and trans members of our community, and fighting for future generations. By making this the 2021 theme for NYC Pride, we acknowledge all that we’ve accomplished and look towards what still needs to be done. NYC Pride events offer an opportunity to gather in community and highlight the diversity, resilience, and power of the LGBTQIA+ community, giving us the energy and spirit we need to continue the fight.”
NYC Pride also revealed its 2021 visual campaign, which features a wide range of queer, trans, and BIPOC members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, including Gia Love, José Thomas, G Xtravaganza, Krishna Stone, and Reid Jefferson. The campaign's photographer is Cait Oppermann.
This year's roster of events will be both virtual and in-person this June. The NYC Pride March on June 27th, will be presented in a virtual format but will also include "to-be-determined in-person elements." The Rally on June 25th will be entirely virtual, as will other key events include Pride Presents, the Human Rights Conference (June 21-23), and Black Queer Town Hall. Savor Pride culinary events kicked off in January and will continue with a new chef each month through June. PrideFest and Pride Island will also return on June 27th, with further details to come.
“We’re pleased to continue to be able to offer a diverse roster of programming this year,” said David A. Correa, interim executive director of NYC Pride. “In 2020 our world dramatically changed very quickly and in a matter of weeks we were forced to pivot to virtual programming and cancel many of our events. With much more time to prepare in 2021, we’re bringing back many of the events we were forced to cancel last year, most notably Youth Pride which will engage LGBTQIA+ youth, many of whom are grappling with the absence of in-person connection.”
