The Central New York pride parade and festival was held on June 21, 2014.

The beautiful blue skies only added to the colorful celebration of beautiful people and lots of love!

In honor of CNY Pride 2014 and Reflections of Pride Stone Wall 45, the famous National Grid art deco building in downtown Syracuse New York was lit up in Lavender during pride week. This is a huge movement for the celebration of CNY Pride and the movements and struggles of the LGBT communities. For years, the sister building in New York City- Empire State Building has cast it's rainbow lights, and now Syracuse can stand tall in colored lights as well.

Long Island Pride
June 14, 2014

Long Island, New York
Photos courtesy Manny Velasquez-Paredes

Dyke March in Buffalo Shows Community Solidarity
By:  Joe Stabb

Over 200 individuals paraded in the Dyke March in Buffalo, NY, on May 31, 2014, in a show of solidarity.  The purpose of a Dyke March is to increase lesbian visibility and activism and have grown to be more inclusive of all womem-loving-women regardless of labels, including bisexual, intersex, and transgender women.

“We march all together, “ says Harper Bishop, 29, volunteer organizer. “This is an overtly political statement for women to express themselves against the mysogyn in places where women are not able to express themselves.”

This event is about women claiming their space, being visible in that space, and going into their daily lives expecting and receiving the respect that they deserve.

For several years, the Dyke March has been growing.  In 2013, there were just under 100 participants in the march.

“This is the only thing I have,” says Phirom, 31, marching participant.  “It is empowering being around everyone that relates to the struggle.”

Some participants are here attending for the first time.  According to Chloe, 25, marching participant, she is, “excited to see people embracing their differences and similarities.  To celebrate the queer scene in Buffalo.”

Or, Rachel, 27, marching participant, who moved to Buffalo less than a year ago from Atlanta, says, “Buffalo seems to have more open spaces for LGBT individuals.  It is a good time to be here and live your life.  This is a community of many identities.”

For more information on the history of the Dyke March in the United States, visit:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyke_March

Gay 5K Supports Healthy Pride
By:  Joe Stabb

Photo :  Robert McMillan, 25, Chattanooga, TN

An increase in over 100 participants from last year, the Gay 5K promotes healthy activities for the community.  The Gay 5K, “is a healthy activity that is fun and draws different people from the community,” says Justin Azzarella, Buffalo Pride Volunteer Organizer.  “About half of the people here are straight allies that want to show their support for the LGBT community.”

The winner of the 2014 Buffalo Pride Gay 5K was Robert McMillan, 25, from Chattanooga, TN.  He is a straight ally and has been running races since he was 12 years old.

The Buffalo Pride Festival continues this week with several events.  Friday, May 30, is the Chroma Art Opening.  Saturday, May 31, is the Dyke March and Allen Street Festival.  Then, the finale on Sunday, June 1,  with the Pride Parade and Pride Festival at Canalside.  For more information on these events, visit www.buffalopridefestival.com.

Check our social sites for updates all weekend long from Buffalo Pride!

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JOIN HARLEM PRIDE'S INAGURAL CELEBRATION OF LGBT PRIDE MONTH

WHAT:  Harlem Pride will host its monthly networking mixer "In the Mix” this Wednesday to kick off this year’s “5th ANNUAL HARLEM PRIDE CELEBRATION.” This special monthly event was created to unite the members of Harlem LGBT community, their friends and allies.

Harlem Pride Board Members will announce the calendar of events for the 5th Annual Harlem Pride Celebration, June 22nd- June 29th.

WHO:   The Harlem Pride Board will introduce the Harlem Pride 2014 Sponsors and Partnerships

Official Hotel Sponsor:    Aloft Hotel Harlem
Media Sponsors:  Columbia (Harlem) FunMaps & Edge Media,  
Official Travel Sponsor:  Zenbiz Travel
Special Collaboration:  3rd Annual Dominican Film Festival
       
Sponsors:   
Columbia University Medica  Center
Metropolitan Community Church of New York       
Testing Makes Us Stronger
William F. Ryan Center        

Partners include:
LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent      
Rivers At Rehoboth
SAGE Harlem,               
The Gatekeepers Collective

Public Relations & Event Management:  Global Network of Black Pride   

WHEN/WHERE:   Harlem Pride "In the Mix" Monthly Mixer
Wednesday, June 4 201
6:00p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The Aloft Hotel -Harlem
WXYZ Lounge
2296 Frederick Douglas Blvd
New York, NY 100

For more information and a full calendar of events for this year's pride festivities, visit: www.harlempride.org

"There's No Place Like Home" for the 5th Annual Harlem Pride Celebration

Harlem Pride, New York City's  SGL/LGBT organization representing the residents of the uptown enclave has announced Sunday, June 22nd through Sunday, June 29, 2014 as the 5th Annual Harlem Pride Week .  The theme of this year's week-long celebration is "There's No Place Like Home," a reference to the 40th anniversary of the 1974 Broadway musical The Wiz.  The Tony and Drama Desk Award winning musical starred recording artist Stephanie Mills, directed by Geoffrey Holder and highlighted the choreography styling of Harlem resident, George Faison.  In 1978, Quincy Jones produced the film version of the popular Broadway musical.   The film showcased Harlem USA and starred entertainment legends; Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor.

Carmen Neely, Harlem Pride, President states "We are honored to celebrate our Harlem Pride 5th Anniversary Celebration.  It's been a wonderful five years and our growth has been tremendous.  We thank all who have supported us through these years and invite folks who are new to us to come be a part of our family as we celebrate SGL/LGBT PRIDE in Harlem!"  Harlem Pride Week 2014 will commemorate and rejoice in the great courage, brains and heart of a community, when thousands of Same Gender Loving (SGL) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) NYC residents and tourists are expected to converge upon Harlem to enjoy one of the city's most extraordinary events.

For more information on Harlem Pride Week 2014 and weekly announcements: visit www.harlempride.org, Facebook.com/HarlemPride or Twitter.com/HarlemPrideNYC

CNY Pride in Syracuse, New York

This year's annual pride parade and festival was held on June 15, 2013 on the canal at Inner Harbor in downtown Syracuse.  Thousands of visitors enjoyed blue skies, rainbows, and a stage full of entertainment!

Festivities included: live music by Julia Weldon, Feeding Affliction, Johnathan Celestin and Bear Crusader. Local and regional female impersonators will also perform. The festival features food and beverages, booths staffed by LGBT-related community groups and allies, vendors, and a children’s play area. The Festival begins at 11:30 a.m. and continues until 6 p.m.