Janelle Monae and Billy Porter are among the stars turning out for a special live stream in honor of the 50th anniversary of New York’s first Pride march in 1970.
In-person events scheduled as part of this summer’s annual celebration have been scrapped for the first time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning neither the signature New York parade, nor the Pride Island festival, which had been set to feature performances by Janelle Monae, Betty Who, and Pussy Riot, will go ahead.
However, in place of the public gathering, organizers have rallied together for a Special Pride Broadcast Event, with Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy set to marshal the show.
Janelle Monee, Deborah Cox, Billy Porter, Luisa Sonza and more will perform, with Wilson Cruz, Miss Richfield 1981, Margaret Cho and others also set to make appearances during the June 28, 2020 event.
The Special Pride Broadcast Event will air on WABC and stream on the WABC website from 12 pm ET on June 28th.
Organizers will also hold a virtual rally on June 26th from 5 pm to 8 pm ET. Hosted by Ashlee Marie Preston, the first transgender person to openly run for state office in California, and transgender actor Brian Michael Smith, the event will showcase speakers including Ceyenne Doroshow, Annie Segarra, Edafe Okporo, and Leandro E. Rodriguez Ramos.
Another event, Black Queer Town Hall, will run from 6:30 pm to 8 pm from June 19 to 21, to support and raise funds for black queer organizations and LGBTQ+ performers.
Tune into the virtual rally and Black Queer Town Hall broadcasts here.
