New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that approximately 5 million people attended WorldPride in New York City over the June 29-30 weekend, surpassing estimates of about 3 million, ABC News reported.
The mayor also noted how the crowds welcomed the New York Police Department's presence during the event. Law enforcementincluding members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Policewere photographed taking part in the festivities.
Members of cast of the FX drama Pose, a show about New York City's LGBTQ ballroom culture in the 1980s and 1990s, served as grand marshals, CNN.com noted.
The city hosted WorldPride march on June 30, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which launched the LGBTQ+-rights movement.
However, there was also a Stonewall 50 Commemoration Rally at the site of the Stonewall Inn gay bar on June 28 that attracted elected officials, LGBT activists, some of whom were present during the Stonewall riots, and big-name entertainers, The Washington Blade reported. Among those who spoke at the rally on Christopher Street outside the Stonewall Inn were de Blasio, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ( D-New York ), U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler ( D-New York ) and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
Singers Melissa Etheridge and Deborah Cox were among the entertainers who performed at the Times Square closing ceremony. Elsewhere, Madonna performed a set that included "Vogue," on Pride Island.
Also see www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Stonewall-50-marked-in-NYC/66481.html .