This column, from the weekly opinion piece MATTER OF FACT, first appeared on BrooklynReporter.com, the Home Reporter and Spectator dated June 2, 2023
June is Pride month. First held in 1970, the iconic NYC Pride March will again hit the streets of Manhattan on June 25. NYC Pride has evolved into a huge, multi-event celebration, which will include Pride Island, a one-day music festival taking place the same day as the Pride March, but right here in Kings County at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, headlined by Christina Aguilera.
Brooklyn has become an epicenter for Pride celebrations. On June 8, the Brooklyn Cyclones will host their annual Pride night in Coney Island, with the first 1,500 fans at the ballpark receiving a Pride jersey, and on Saturday, June 10, Park Slope will again be the site of the Brooklyn Pride 5K in Prospect Park and Brooklyn Pride Festival and Parade on Fifth Avenue.
Here in Southern Brooklyn, local LGBTQIA+ community group GayRidge will host the second annual GayRidge Pride in Owl’s Head Park on Sunday, June 4, beginning at 12:00 PM. This year’s event looks to follow up on the success of last year’s inaugural Pride, which several local reports estimated had around 1,000 visitors. Having been there myself last year, I can attest to how large the crowd was.
Co-director, Mother McKenzie, who identifies as a trans womxn, said, “We love that our community has embraced GayRidge events and are very thankful to all our supporters.” Originating as a Facebook group in 2019 before seeing their membership triple in the year leading up to GayRidge Pride 2022, that was a perfect time to bring Pride to Southern Brooklyn and the event exceeded all expectations.
Once again, attendees of GayRidge Pride 2023 can picnic on what the organizers have dubbed “Pride Hill,” overlooking the bay, while taking in live performances by local LGBTQIA+ musicians, drag performers, and other artists. Other activities planned include field games, face painting, rock painting, and a queer pet march.
The event has no cover charge and is made possible by the efforts of its volunteers and donations to GayRidge. Co-director, Jason Graubard, said, “We are fortunate to have, and are incredibly appreciative of, all of our members who have stepped up to help create the celebration of Pride that we all want to see in South Brooklyn.”
The group has been clear in noting the importance of Pride events to the LGBTQIA+ community at this time, with more than 650 anti-LGBTQ bills having been introduced in 46 states since the start of the year. Co-director LJ Vogel added, “These bills attack everything from same-sex parents adopting children to the rights of trans people trying to access gender-affirming care, which can often be lifesaving care. Pride is a celebration, and also a reminder of the importance of standing against discrimination.”
It has been all too apparent that the LGBTQIA+ community have been the focus of increasing intolerance and, sometimes, worse. According to the New York City Department of Health, the rate of suicide among LGBTQIA+ city youth is four times that of the overall figure for all kids. With respect to trans youth in New York City, one in three has seriously considered suicide and two in five have attempted to take their lives in the past year.
It is crucial at this time that events like GayRidge Pride remind LGBTQIA+ individuals of all ages that there is a whole community that knows how they feel and is there for them, as well as allies who support them and look forward to opportunities, like having fun on “Pride Hill” in Owl’s Head Park, to celebrate how special it is for everyone to be able to be their authentic self without worry or fear.
Last year’s events saw local elected officials and a representative from the governor provide some words to note the significance of the inaugural event, which GayRidge intends to be a celebration of queer culture in Southern Brooklyn and a commemoration of the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights. GayRidge Pride 2023 promises to have some special guests in attendance to again recognize the importance of this event.
GayRidge Pride 2022 was a truly inspiring event that was also just incredibly fun. It was great to see Southern Brooklyn’s vibrant queer community, along with many allies, celebrating on a day full of positivity and community. Myself, my wife, and my kids had such an amazing time last year, and we will again this year at GayRidge Pride 2023, thanks to the GayRidge volunteers that create something truly special that we can all take Pride in.
