Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, observing LGBTQ Pride this month will be very different from past years, without large gatherings such as the iconic NYC Pride March. There will, however, still be much celebration taking place, including home celebrations, online dance parties, and celebrity video events, as well as digital Pride conferences and webinars. As always, New York City – the traditional epicenter of Pride festivities – has big plans.

Last year, for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, 2.5 million people flocked to NYC for WorldPride, with a record 150,000 participants, including Amida Care’s float, moving along 5th Avenue in the Pride March. This year’s celebration will be particularly meaningful, as the city also marks the slowing down of the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of reopening. In addition, Pride 2020 is especially inclusive, as people across the globe will be able to take part online, no matter where they live.

Heritage of Pride, the organization that produces NYC’s Pride events, has announced that “Schitt’s Creek” creator and star Dan Levy will be among the grand marshals for a virtual Pride celebration on Sunday, June 28. Other performers and participants will include singer Janelle Monet, “Pose” star Billy Porter, “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Wilson Cruz, and comedian Margaret Cho. The event will be broadcast from noon to 2 pm on WABC Channel 7 and streamed on ABC News Live. NYC Pride is also hosting a virtual Rally against police brutality and discrimination on Friday, June 26, from 5 to 8 pm, as well as Black Queer Town Hall, taking place June 19-21.

For Pride 2020, Amida Care is hosting a drag show on Thursday, June 18, with Harmonica Sunbeam & Friends, followed by a live dance party with music from DJ Frankie Paradise. The event, which will take place via Zoom (Meeting ID: 946 7339 6729 / Password: 018682) from 6:30 to 8:30, is part of our Live Your Life wellness program, highlighting our advocacy in helping members and communities improve their health by getting access to care so that they can live their best, most authentic life.

There will also be a virtual Global Pride event on Saturday, June 27, organized by European Pride Organizers Association (EPOA) and InterPride, featuring performances and speeches in conjunction with LGBTQ organizations in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, southern Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America, among other countries.

One major benefit of this year’s virtual context is that people who would not ordinarily be able to celebrate Pride can be included. For those living in places like Subsaharan Africa or Middle Eastern countries where being LGBTQ is illegal or even punishable by death, online Pride might be the first time some people can truly feel a part of the festivities. The same holds true for those here in the U.S., especially young people, whose families or religion prohibit them from freely expressing themselves. Another plus is that no matter where you live, you can check out virtual Pride events around the country, like DC’s Capital Pride Reimagined 2020, San Francisco Pride 2020, and Dallas Pride.

Remember to also show support by purchasing food, beverages, and whatever else you need to celebrate from local LGBTQ businesses. The New York chapter of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce can help you find these.

We wish everyone a safe and joyful Pride month!

Amida Care currently serves 8,000 members throughout the five boroughs of New York City, including people living with HIV/AIDS; people of transgender experience, regardless of HIV status; and people who are experiencing homelessness, regardless of HIV status. Please contact us at 1-855-GO-AMIDA to be directed to health resources.