On Sunday, June 25th, 2017, thousands of people gathered in the colorful streets of New York City for the 48th Annual New York City Pride March. The March started at 36th Street and 5th Avenue and ended at Christopher and Greenwich Street. The nonprofit organization credited for planning this annual event is known as Heritage of Pride and is also responsible for planning other pride events to remember the 1969 Stonewall Riots that shook the gay community but inspired them to fight back. The March specifically ends on Christopher Street, where the riots took place.

The organizations' mission states that "Heritage of Pride works toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law. We do this by producing LGBT Pride events that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate our diverse community."

Diverse, yet united

The March is known to bring people of all different backgrounds together to stand up for a common cause. The 2016 New York City Pride March was the city's largest March that has ever taken place, with an outstanding crowd of around two million people gathered in the streets, and about thirty thousand people marching in the parade.

There was, even more, significance behind this particular March because of the shooting that took place only a few days prior at a gay nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed. This tragedy sparked outrage all over the world. The overwhelming amount of support and love demonstrated at the 2016 NYC Pride March proved to the world that no one will live in fear and that the community will fight back and be stronger than ever.

As Governor Andrew Cuomo has stated, "when New York speaks, it's still one of the greatest microphones in the country."

Social media to help spread awareness

This year's March had a magnificent turnout of 40,000 people marching in the parade.

This year, ABC-TV broadcasted the March live so that the world could watch the incredible event. The March has never been broadcasted live before. With social media expanding, anyone could show their support in events like these, whether or not they are there in person. People attending can live stream through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and share their experience with their social network. Pictures and videos can also be shared across social media platforms such as these to raise awareness.

We are Proud

The 2017 theme of "we are proud" tells the message that everyone should be proud, no matter how they identify themselves.

No one should ever feel ashamed of who they are. New York and other cities around the globe should continue coming together to show their support.
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