As New Yorkers Protest Police Brutality And Pride Month Begins, Senator Brad Hoylman Calls To Cancel "Corporate Pride"

NEW YORK—Today, on the first day of Pride Month, Senator Brad Hoylman sent a letter to Heritage of Pride urging them to cancel their New York City 2020 Pride celebrations—including a virtual Pride “parade” scheduled to be televised on WABC-TV on June 28—and instead focus on the original issues that caused the riot at the Stonewall Inn: racial discrimination and police misconduct. 

Senator Hoylman, New York's only openly gay Senator and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement:

“The first Pride was a riot led by Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and black and brown transgender women who were outraged by police misconduct and racial bias. It was an outpouring of anger and frustration that led to a worldwide LGBTQ human rights movement. 

“Fifty one years later, the Summer of '20 is beginning to feel a lot like the Summer of '69. Protests against police brutality in Minneapolis, Louisville, New York City and cities across the nation are a reminder that millions of black and brown people—many of whom identify as members of the LGBTQ community—are continuously denied justice.

“This is no time for a milquetoast, corporate Pride celebration that simply celebrates the progress we've made since 1969. It would be unconscionable for the LGBTQ community to ignore that our black and brown neighbors are crying out for justice. 

“Today, I'm calling on Heritage of Pride to ensure Pride 2020 is a return to our roots: a radical protest against bigotry, racism, homophobia, transphobia and police brutality. This must include canceling current plans for 2020 Pride celebrations—including the June 28th virtual parade scheduled to be broadcast on WABC—and refocusing on the crucial issues of racial justice and police brutality.”

A copy of Senator Hoylman’s letter to Heritage of Pride is attached.