NYC Pride: How to enjoy the gayest weekend of the year

Get out there and show some pride. Photo by Tom Giebel

Same-sex marriage is no longer a cherry picking situation of acknowledging some couples in certain states, and not in others. We have a widespread EVERY-STATE-COUNTS, #LoveWins party and everyone is invited!

It also just so happens that June is Pride Month, this weekend is NYC Pride, and today June 26, 2015 marks the day in history when the Supreme Court ruled that same sex marriage was the law of the land. Coincidence? I think not! Even if it is, no need to get hung up on that when there’s so many great ways to celebrate the occasion this whole damn weekend.

Pride Weekend Deals and Steals and Other Cool Things!

• The Marriage of Denise & Cindy and Katrina & Sarah! Today at 2pm on the steps of City Hall Mayor Bill de Balsio will officiate the marriages of these two couples! Ceremony starts at 2:45, doors open at 2:00pm!

•DBL (667 10th Avenue), formally known as Dive Bar Lounge, Midtown’s sassy gay bar is celebrating Pride with $4 drinks all day Sunday. YAS KWEEN!

• Big Gay Ice Cream and GAP have married (for but a moment) and created a Big Gay GAP ice-cream/pop up store on 54th Street and 5th Ave, where you can get a free ice cream sandwich with the purchase of a Big Gay Gap t-shirt.

• Head over to famous gay bar Julius‘ (159 West 10th Street) in Manhattan. Although they aren’t doing anything official for pride, the bartender told me “every day is fucking pride, here.” Drinks are cheap ($5 Long Island Iced Teas and Sex on the Beach and Lemon Drop shots) and so is their food.

• Friday June 26 at 7:30pm Celebrate Brooklyn will screen Paris is Burning, the cult classic documentary on the Harlem Ballroom scene, for free at the Prospect Park Bandshell. Get there early to secure a spot!

• Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28 Gay Pride Brunch at Crooked Knife 14th street! This accidental, unofficial “gay pride brunch” spot is rowdy and already booked solid for Pride weekend, but their lovely bar tender Leah told me walk-ins will be accommodated!) Cost: $29 for unlimited mimosas and bloody marys plus your entree.

• Sunday June 28 at 3pm head over to Babeland Brooklyn (462 Bergen Street) for a free massage work shop geared towards couples! Cost: The workshop is free and there is no need to register. Also, shop this weekend online and get a 20% discount!

Manhattan Pride

If you haven’t been to NYC Pride do yourself a favor and change that this weekend. In light of this insanely positive and progressive Same Sex ruling, NYC Pride 2015 is bound to be one for the record books. Here is a list of things not to miss!

Friday June 26: GAY PRIDE RALLY (Free!)

Guys, remember Ashanti? Yes, that Ashanti. Well, she will be officially kicking off Pride weekend as this years Pride Rally Performer! The R & B singer, along with hundreds of others, will be at Hudson River Valley’s Pier 26 from 7pm-9pm tonight (June 26) to get this party started!

Saturday June 27: NEW YORK CITY DYKE MARCH (Free!)

Technically a “protest” and not a “march,” the ladies of Pride will begin the annual tradition at 5pm at the corner of 42nd and 5th. It’s possible the march will be broken up by police; remain safe and aware and let your freedom (along with your nipples) fly!

Sunday June 28: THE MARCH (Free!)

The NYC Pride March is now in it’s 45th year, and my oh my does she get better with age! This year’s pride judges are Sir Ian Mckellen, Sir Dereck Jacobi, Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera and J. Christopher Neal. The four judges have the daunting yet fabulous task of determining the winners for categories such as “Best Dressed,” “Best Float,” and “Best Use Of Rainbow Colors.” The announcer locations are at 36th and 5th, 25th and 5th, 8th and 5th and Christopher and Bleeker. These intersections will be crowded so get there early!

Sunday June 28: PRIDE FEST (Free to enter, but bring cash to buy food, clothes and more!)

The 23rd annual Pridefest is the best “after party” to the Parade. Located at Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. & W. 14th St, the food-fair meets flea-market meets LGBT-community-support meets #BestTimeEver starts at 11am and continues until 6pm. LGBT vendors, foodies and some Gay Ole Time performers make Pridefest a must on this weekend’s list. To better plan your experience, here is a map.

So, get out there and get gay. And get happy! There’s more than usual to celebrate at this year’s Pride.