The commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots will kick off a weekend of Pride events in New York City. In honor of the uprising - which was on this date in 1969 - there will be a march from Tompkins Square Park tonight to the Stonewall Inn where a ceremony will be held.
For those who don't know, the American gay rights movement was officially born as patrons at the Stonewall Inn, a bar in New York’s Greenwich Village, clashed with police who were attempting to raid the establishment. The ensuing riots lasted for three days.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will be among the speakers along with a Parkland shooting survivor speaking out on issues like gun control.
World Pride Month culminates with the Pride March on Sunday, and official closing ceremonies in Times Square with performances by Melissa Etheridge.
Source: World Pride