Pride Parade 2023: Rochester celebrates on a hot, humid day
One of the liveliest, most joyous days on the Rochester calendar happened Saturday: Rochester's Pride Parade brought queer joy and celebration today to the streets of the city.
Take a look at photos, stories and short video from the Democrat and Chronicle's coverage.
Amid political headwinds for LGBTQ+ persons, college students support right to express oneself
On the corner of Brunswick Street and Park Avenue in Rochester, college students cheered the Pride Parade from their porch Saturday afternoon, watching the last of the floats and marchers.
Jarrett Simms, who lives at the house on the corner, was dressed in a pearl necklace, a green skirt and a white top. To Simms, pride is an “expression of what so many people fought for." Simms and the students are proud of their identities and the community that has rallied in the streets, even in this uncertain time politically, with numerous states seeking to roll back or question LGBTQ+ rights.
While this celebration is extremely joyful, there were undertones within the parade referencing the hardships that many queer people are experiencing right now in the United States. Those undertones included slogans on T-shirts, the offering of hugs to others and shouted affirmations of acceptance.
“It's terrifying to see the country move backwards in progress," said fellow college student Will Patroz. Even still, the group was enjoying the parade from the porch.
To Anna Rhody, pride is a “Celebration of authenticity." Her favorite float was the one by Vertex, a nightclub that she frequents.
As the pride parade ended, the group of friends left the porch and headed to the street to be at a part of the crowds.
-- Georgia Pressley
VIDEO: What's a parade without a selfie?
VIDEO: Glitter fun at Pride Parade
'We are proud of who we are'
Gathered under large shade trees along the parade route, a group of friends watched the well-attended event wind down.
They formed a safe space for each other, with blankets on the grass, snacks, drinks and a cooler of popsicles.
There were also lots of compliments.
Pride is about compliments, said Mercy Wehling, an oversized Progress Pride flag bow on her head.
“You go out of your way to tell people they look amazing,” Wehling said.
As other states, like Florida, pass restrictive laws that target trans people or claw back LGBTQ rights, New York can feel a bit like a bubble, said Sara Hickman-Himes.
“It’s nice to be reminded that we can be happy,” Hickman-Himes said. “We are proud of who we are. And being proud of who we are might empower others to be comfortable being out.”
-- Maryann Batlle
Pride Parade: A superhero for a day
Payton Barnes held a cellphone toward the Pride Parade and shared a livestream of the joyful marching happening down Park Avenue.
Barnes, who wore a rainbow flag like a super hero cape, is a gay Black man living in Rochester.
Sometimes that’s easy, like today, when Barnes was surrounded by cheering LGBTQ people and allies in broad daylight along a city street.
Other days, it’s less easy, and there are fewer places to be free. But you have to be you, no matter what, Barnes said.
“Know who you are,” Barnes said. “And love yourself.”
The Pride Parade is a moment to let LGBTQ people shine, and anyone who didn’t attend the parade this year should try to next year — even if they are straight, Barnes said.
“Show support and come celebrate with us,” Barnes said. “Let us know we are loved.”
-- Maryann Batlle
Who is Reenah Golden, parade grand marshal?
Reenah Golden, founder, CEO and artistic director of The Avenue Black Box Theatre, is Grand Marshal of the 2023 Rochester Pride Parade.
The Avenue theater is a place where, according to its website, "our focus is on honoring and uplifting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices, art and issues while reducing barriers to art experiences for all."
It describes itself as "a Black-owned, inclusive, fully accessible, queer space where social justice and art converge to create dynamic stage productions, installations and live art-making events for and by us."
Golden was nominated and selected as Pride Parade Grand Marshal for her contributions to improve the lives of members of the local LGBTQ+ community, according to a press release on the Trillium Health website. She founded The Avenue BlackBox Theatre in January 2018 on the site of a former pharmacy along Joseph Avenue.
Golden also has served as an adjunct professor for University of Rochester’s International Theatre Program and has taught and lectured around the region and the nation.
The Democrat and Chronicle has partnered with Golden and The Avenue BlackBox Theatre the past two years, collaborating to stage a storytelling workshop for teenagers, an August 2022 block party on Joseph Avenue and a March 2023 Artists of ROC celebration hosted by Golden and curated by Democrat and Chronicle reporter Genae Shields.
The Pride Parade's Honorary Marshal is Todd Ranous, who has worked for Monroe County's Department of Social Services for a few decades, helped to establish mandatory LGBTQ+ training for all service staff and foster parents.
-- Staff reports
VIDEO: Did you spot this dinosaur at Pride Parade?
'Todos Somos Familia:' Latino organization marches in Pride Parade
“TODOS SOMOS FAMILIA”
The Spanish words were spelled out in gold Mylar letters strung between two columns of rainbow balloons.
In English: “We are all family.”
That is the Grupo Cultural Latinos in Rochester’s message at its first Pride Parade.
Evelyn Dagostino, the team’s leader, said the group wanted to make clear that LGBTQ people are welcome in the Latine community.
According to its website, Grupo Cultural Latinos En Rochester is a non-profit organization that "focuses on sharing the diverse folklore of Latino communities with Western, NY. With the ongoing support of recreation centers, towns, and donors, we offer dance classes, bilingual storytime, public performances, and more."
The Grupo Cultural also is showcasing a large tree float, various Latin American countries’ flags on its branches. The float is another symbol of unity for LGBTQ persons to see, Dagostino said.
“You belong in the Spanish-speaking world,” she said.
-- Maryann Batlle
Pride Parade float honors memory of advocate Dick Jackman
Rainbow balloons, a huge Pride flag with a smiley face and a thatch beach umbrella were among the decor of a parade float in honor of gay rights advocate Dick Jackman.
Jackman, who was born in Buffalo and lived in Rochester, died in 2016. The float is a labor of love for Jackman’s family and their friends, who for seven years have marched in Rochester’s Pride Parade, said Cindy Meyer, his daughter.
“He fought the fight," said Meyer, whose outfit included rainbow fairy wings and matching knee-high socks. “I’m carrying on for him.”
The parade is a time for everyone to be open and celebrate, a reality that Jackman worked hard to help make happen, Meyer said.
“We stand on the shoulders of people like him.”'
-- Maryann Batlle
VIDEO: Parade marchers hand out treats
Rochester Pride Parade takes place on a muggy day
Parade-goers saw a humid, sweltering afternoon Saturday . The National Weather Service had called for a high of 87 degree Fahrenheit with a slight chance of showers during parade hours and through much of the subsequent Pride Festival.
By evening, the Weather Service was forecasting heavy downpours.
Interest in 2023 Rochester Pride Parade participation high
Though most places mark LGBTQ Pride in June, Rochester's annual festivities happen in July. This year, the schedule of events includes last Sunday's Pride Picnic at Genesee Valley Park, today's parade and the after-parade festival at Cobb's Hill Park.
And it seems plenty of people are planning to be there. Almost 200 organizations are signed up to march during the parade, and that "unprecedented amount" of interest led Pride organizers to shutdown the application process early, according to the official website.
-- Maryann Batlle
2023 Rochester Pride Parade route map
The parade begins each year at Alexander Street and Park Avenue. It marches down Park Avenue. Then it takes a right on Culver Road. The destination is Cobb's Hill, where the outdoor after-party awaits.
A PDF version of the Rochester Pride parade route is available online here: bit.ly/3qMp3wE.
-- Maryann Batlle
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Pride Parade 2023: Joy and celebration on and around Park Ave.
