By Mark Hallum
Parade-goers came out in force to celebrate the LGBT community at Queens Pride in Jackson Heights despite a heavy downpour. Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland (D-East Elmhurst), Executive Director for Outright International Action Jessica Stern and AIDS Center of Queens County led the 24th annual march as marshals down 37th Avenue between 89th and 75th streets Sunday..
Food, music and entertainment were enjoyed during the after-party festival on 37th Road.
Favorites for many of those in attendance were Miss Colombia, Miss Dominican Republic (both members of and appointed to their titles by the LGBT community) and the Samba-raggae drumming group known as Batala. This group is a New York City chapter of an international community of musicians that perform around the world.
According to one member of Batala, this is the first year the band has played at Queens Pride but the reaction from the crowd is the reason they love doing parades.
“People are really excited. It’s like we cheer them up, and we share the joy.”
Rick Evans, 28, lives in Floral Park and described his experience as a member of the audience.
“It was pretty awesome, that energy, hearing that sound,” Evans said. “It goes straight through you.”
Many expressed the reasons why they favor Queens Pride over other celebrations. One of the main reasons is the multi-cultural aspect of the celebration. Not only did people from all over the world find themselves in Jackson Heights Sunday, but the atmosphere had something of South America in the air with Brazilian-style clothing, Latin music and culture.
“I think it shows a side of the LGBT community that isn’t so mainstream. I think it’s so much more cultural than your typical vanilla, Margaritaville Pride. It feels like a cultural festival. More so than others,” Benny Or, 25, said.
“There is a grander acceptance of LGBT communities and their allies. Perhaps we’re moving towards a more inclusive Queens,” Lydia Tembo, 32, said.
Miss Dominican Republic entertained a Spanish-speaking audience with a comedy routine delivered on stage at the festival following the parade.
“I came last year and this is my second time. I really liked it. I think it brings acceptance and awareness. I think that’s crucial in a place where it’s so hard just to be yourself, it’s important to have a community that supports you.” Neyla Sassi, 24, from Woodside, said.
Among those who marched were advocacy groups for equality and sexual hygiene. Apicha Community Health, provides health services to gay and transgender people, whom their website refers to as “otherized” individuals. The affordable health service marched in the procession and had a stand which offered rapid-results HIV screenings. The Caribbean Equality Project marched in the parade to show their support for the LGBT community which they serve in the borough. Because homosexuality is still viewed with a powerful stigma in some Caribbean nations, their project works to empower people within the immigrant population to fight for equality and tolerance.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
