By Bill Parry
Organizers of the 22nd Pride Parade in Jackson Heights are expecting huge crowds Sunday even though the No. 7 line is shut down for repair work.
It is the first time since repairs on the line began in late February on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s three major capitol improvement projects that service will be cancelled beyond Long Island City.
The projects include a new signal system that will allow for 10 percent more trains per hour, repairs to the infrastructure of the Steinway Tunnel that was flooded with millions of gallons of saltwater during Hurricane Sandy and necessary track panel replacement, work that should have been done five years ago.
“This is work we have to do to keep the system safe and reliable,” MTA President Carmen Bianco told a town hall in April.
The service shutdown worries many businesses in Sunnyside, Woodside and Elmhurst, but it does not faze one member of the Queens Lesbian & Gay Pride Committee.
“I didn’t even know that the No. 7 wasn’t running,” communications director Rod Brown said. “We had nearly 60,000 spectators take part last year and the clear majority of the people are local. I think as long as we have good weather we can count on a good crowd.”
The theme of this year’s parade and festival is “A World of Pride,” celebrating the accomplishments of the LGBT community in Queens. The parade starts at noon with nearly 100 vendors along 37th Road and from 74th to 77th streets.
In addition, two stages will feature entertainment throughout the day with performances by a variety of artists showcasing their singing, dancing and comedic talents.
The grand marshals will be the members of the City Council’s LGBT Caucus, including Councilmen Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside).
“I am enormously honored to serve along with my colleagues in the City Council’s LGBT Caucus,” Van Bramer said. “As one of Queens’ first openly gay elected officials, I can honestly say that this event always held a special place in my heart. It is a day when the borough comes together to celebrate full equality as well as recognize the accomplishments and progress the LGBT community has made in Queens.”
Also being honored as grand marshals is Woodside’s Melissa Sklarz, president of the Stonewall Democrats, and Chutney Pride, an organization with outreach to Caribbean members of the LGBT community.
“Our grand marshals reflect how far we have come to be integral in our government, community and our visibility,” Pride Co-chair Chris Calvert said.
Sklarz, an champion for transgender civil rights, said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to be honored by the people of this borough.”
Sklarz was also aware that the No. 7 is not running to Jackson Heights this weekend, saying, “I’m in northern Woodside, so I’ll just hop on the R.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
