NYC Pride Parade 2018: The Experience

NYC Pride Parade 2018: Why It Was Special

I’ve been to gay pride events in many different cities around the world, but nothing stood out like the NYC pride parade 2018. While I’ve definitely been to more intense pride festival parties (like the ones in Tel Aviv), I’ve never experienced an energy as strong than that of New York.

My best friend Taylor works for Athlete Ally, a non-profit organization with a mission to end homophobia in sports. They partnered with Deutsche Bank they shared a float for the NYC pride parade 2018. I luckily got the chance to join them, marking my first time on a pride float!

I had a chance to watch some floats go by before we got on ours, which was awesome because I saw the Broad City TV show cast, whom I love! Running on three hours of sleep, the DJ’s stellar mixes lit me up and I jumped up and down for hours!

Celebrations Like The NYC Pride Parade 2018

If you have a chance to get on some kind of float in a parade, no matter what city you are in, do it! It’s almost like you’re famous, with crowds cheering around you. There are many lists available online covering the top LGBT+ prides and other gay-oriented festivals around the world. Wikipedia is a great gay event list reference, and is updated quite frequently.

There is this overall sense of joy and excitement that runs through every soul around—it’s a feeling like no other. It’s a memory that is beautifully seared into my mind.

I’d love to hear some of your pride stories. Share some info about pride in your city/country in the comments section below.

Inspired to visit NYC? Read the New York City Gay Travel Guide.