The 34th annual Queens Pride Parade in Jackson Heights marked the beginning of Pride Month on June 7, 2026bringing together queer New Yorkers from across the city to celebrate their unwavering pride and community spirit.

This vibrant event, known for being the first major Pride parade of the season in New York Cityis a testament to the borough’s rich diversity and history of activism. Founded in 1990 by Daniel Dromm and Maritza Martinez following the tragic murder of Julio Riverathe parade has grown into a powerful symbol of resilience and unity.

The Heart of Queens Pride

Long before the official kickoff at noon, crowds began to gather along 37th Avenueeager to witness the spectacle. Marching bands warmed up, cheerleaders from Cheer New York practiced their routines, and queer individuals of all agesincluding members from the Queens Center for Gay Seniorsprepared to march.

Chloe Elentaria drum major with the Queer Big Apple Corpswas ready to lead the charge. “Everyone deserves a life where they can be happy, where they can be celebrated by the people around them,” she shared. At 45 years old, Elentari’s journey to self-discovery and acceptance is a powerful reminder of the parade’s significance.

A Moment of Reflection

As is tradition, the parade paused at the intersection of 37th Avenue and 78th Streetwhere Julio Rivera was tragically murdered. This moment of silence and reflection honored Rivera’s memory and underscored the parade’s commitment to safety and belonging for all LGBTQ individuals.

Daniel Dromma former City Councilmember and co-founder of Queens Pride, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of Pride as a unifying force. “We’re going to make sure that every single LGBTQ Queens and New York City resident… [is] safe and feel like they belong in every single community,” he declared. Mayor Zohran Mamdani echoed these sentiments, stating, “Because Pride is something that we don’t just have in June, it’s something that we have every month of the year.”

Voices of the Community

The parade featured a diverse range of participants, including Make The RoadColectivo Intercultural TRANSgrediendoand the Translatina Network. Pamela Torre Albaa 36-year-old trans woman from Venezuela who has lived in Queens for four years, shared her perspective on the importance of Pride.

“The ‘T’ cannot be untied from LGBTQ” Torre Alba asserted. For her, Pride represents “an opportunity to exist, it means resilience, and it means everything that has meaning as a human being.” Her words highlight the parade’s role as a platform for visibility and advocacy.

Controversies and Protests

Not all attendees were there to celebrate. Before the festivities began, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch held a press conference alongside the Gay Officers Action League to protest Heritage of Pride‘s decision to exclude police officers from carrying firearms during the march. “That decision is as hurtful as it is a slap in the face,” Tisch remarked, criticizing what she described as an “offensive and exclusionary stance on this issue.”

Meanwhile, a group of protesters stood by the side of the route, holding signs that read “No Pride in Genocide,” “Zionism = Terrorism,” and “Silence = Death.” Raya 32-year-old protestor, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the struggles of queer individuals in Gaza. “I love Queens Prideit’s one of the most diverse, oldest prides, very inspiring space, very community-oriented,” Ray said. “And as a person who supports Palestineit’s very important for me to be here.”

Celebrating Diversity

Many onlookers celebrated the parade as a representation of Queens‘s diversity. Leoa 32-year-old resident who has attended the parade for the past six years, appreciated its local and communal feel. “I like that it’s so local, it’s not as corporate as the major one in Manhattan” he said. “I think it’s celebrating diversity in general, in the diversest place in the city.”

Leo’s enthusiasm for the event was evident as he used a rainbow-making face paint stamp to “gayify all of Queens” sharing the vibrant designs with strangers. “We’re working on it,” he joked, capturing the parade’s spirit of inclusion and joy.

Maxine and her girlfriend Mollyboth 27 and together for four and a half years, attended the parade for the first time. “It’s immediately apparent that it’s a lot more communal than Manhattan Pride” Maxine noted. Molly, wearing a shirt she had painted a rainbow onto, embodied the parade’s celebratory atmosphere.

The 34th annual Queens Pride Parade was more than just a celebration; it was a powerful affirmation of unityresilienceand community. As the parade marched through the streets of Jackson Heightsit reminded everyone that Pride is not just a month-long event but a year-round commitment to acceptance and equality.