Latest news with #PrideMarch
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
FDOT says raising of Main Street Bridge was not intended to stop Pride March
We're getting new answers from the Florida Department of Transportation on why the Main Street Bridge was raised ahead of a planned Pride March on Sunday. The bridge lighting battle has been going on for at least two years, after Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered all state-run bridges be lit red, white and blue last year for the so-called Freedom Summer. The move prevented cities like Jacksonville from lighting some bridges in rainbow colors for Pride month. In response, protestors in 2024 held their own lighting of the Main Street Bridge using flashlights. This year, after FDOT announced all state run bridges would again be lit red, white, and blue for the county's 250th birthday, Pride activists wanted to repeat last year's Main Street Bridge lighting. But an hour before they'd been told they would need to clear off the bridge ahead of scheduled maintenance, the bridge was raised. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Hampton Ray with FDOT told Action News Jax the bridge was briefly lifted to get workers into position, and was lowered after marchers had already moved on. He claimed work still began at 9 p.m. as scheduled. 'We did have to have our crews in place. And this was performed every single night from Thursday night till actually Monday evening. Crews were performing this same high lift from between 7:30 and 8:30 in order to access the point,' Ray said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] In response to the explanation given by FDOT, March Organizer Matt McAllister sent Action News Jax this statement: 'I thank Mr. Ray for his detailed and professional explanation. Given our intention to fully comply with 9:00 pm scheduled closure, the 20 minute delay would have made it impossible to place 146 people in precise locations to shine for 20 minutes and then safely and completely evacuate the bridge. When we asked city officials if our 8:00 pm entrance would, for any reason, be impeded, we were assured it would not be,' McAllister said. 'In the end, the bureaucratic lemons served to us made a particularly sweet lemonade. It was important to return Pride lighting, however briefly, to its rightful place on the Acosta Bridge.' The FDOT spokesperson also said generally, it's helpful for groups to have permits to ensure situations like this can be avoided. McAllister noted permits are not required for gatherings in public spaces with fewer than 500 participants. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
9 Fabulous Cities Around The World That Go All Out For Pride Month
Pride Month is more than a party — it's a powerful, worldwide celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, progress, and community. Each June, cities from San Francisco to Sydney light up with parades, protests, and parties that unite people in joy and solidarity. It's a time to honour hard-won rights, raise voices for change, and show up as your true self — sequins and all. Whether you're after big-city energy, beachside pride, or meaningful cultural moments, these destinations offer unforgettable Pride Month celebrations in 2025. Think glitter, music, activism, and love — all on the world's most vibrant, inclusive stage. Here Are 9 Destinations To Celebrate Pride Month: 1. New York City, USA There's no Pride quite like NYC Pride. After all, it was the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Greenwich Village that sparked the global LGBTQ+ rights movement. The city's annual Pride March, held on the last Sunday of June, draws millions — and yes, it really does feel like the whole city shows up. Expect headliners at PrideFest, rooftop parties across Manhattan and Brooklyn, and the iconic drag parade in Bushwick. Pro tip: The Human Rights Conference also runs during Pride Week if you're after deeper conversations. 2. Sao Paulo, Brazil Bigger is better in Sao Paulo, which hosts one of the largest Pride parades on the planet. Avenida Paulista transforms into a rainbow river of floats, dancers, and flag-waving revellers, with well over three million people turning out. Pride here is political, loud, and unapologetically joyful. The party spills into the city's clubs, where DJs spin until sunrise. Be sure to check out cultural events at Museu da Diversidade Sexual — Brazil's only LGBTQ+ museum. 3. Madrid, Spain Madrid Pride, or Orgullo Madrid, takes over the city's Chueca neighbourhood every summer with a full week of concerts, parties, and activism. The main parade is held on the first Saturday of July (yes, slightly outside of June, but worth the wait), with more than 1.5 million attendees expected. Don't miss the high-heeled Carrera de Tacones race or open-air concerts in Plaza de Espana. The atmosphere? Welcoming, electric, and totally inclusive. 4. Cape Town, South Africa Though Cape Town's official Pride parade takes place in February (due to the Southern Hemisphere's seasons), June is still an important month for queer visibility and cultural events. The city is home to vibrant LGBTQ+ communities, especially in Green Point and De Waterkant, which are full of queer-owned cafes, galleries and bars. June often sees pop-up events, screenings, and Pride-themed exhibitions. Cape Town also stands out as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities on the continent. 5. Toronto, Canada Toronto Pride is more than a parade — it's a full-month lineup of events, from drag brunches to Dyke Marches to Trans Pride rallies. The main parade happens on the last weekend of June, running along Yonge Street with floats, dancers, and plenty of maple-leaf rainbow flags. Church-Wellesley Village is the heart of the action, but the celebrations spill citywide. This year, look out for queer art installations and city-backed performances that turn every corner into a stage. 6. Berlin, Germany Pride in Berlin (called Christopher Street Day) is politically charged, creative, and endlessly cool — kind of like the city itself. The parade usually takes place in late July, but Pride Month is still packed with activism, performance, and parties. Kreuzberg and Schoneberg host pop-up exhibitions and queer film nights, while Berlin's legendary club scene kicks into overdrive. It's inclusive, international, and one of Europe's most progressive Pride scenes. 7. Sydney, Australia While Sydney's main Pride-style celebration — WorldPride — usually happens in February and March, June is still a strong time to visit. The queer scene is alive year-round in Newtown and Surry Hills, and venues like The Imperial and Universal host Pride-themed events throughout the month. Look out for drag revues, inclusive film festivals, and community-led events around Oxford Street. Plus, June means mild winter weather — a perfect excuse to swap feathers for fabulous coats. 8. London, UK London Pride is a landmark event for the UK, with a massive parade that flows through the West End, bringing out thousands in full rainbow mode. This year, it falls on 28 June 2025 — aligning with the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The main stage in Trafalgar Square hosts speeches and performances, while Soho's bars and clubs keep the energy high well into the night. London's Pride is political but celebratory, filled with community, protest, and unapologetic joy. 9. Tel Aviv, Israel Tel Aviv Pride is the Middle East's largest LGBTQ+ event, and it's unlike anything else in the region. The week-long celebration peaks with a beachside parade drawing over 250,000 people, complete with floats, DJs, and endless dancing. The city's liberal vibe, sunny weather, and thriving queer nightlife scene make it a top pick for travellers. Pride Month in Tel Aviv also includes film screenings, art shows, and activism centred around equality and inclusion.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Man fatally shot in Philadelphia's Gayborhood identified by police
A 31-year-old man was shot and killed in the Gayborhood early Monday morning, Philadelphia police said. The shooting happened on the 200 block of South Camac Street just after 2:30 a.m., according to police. Police identified the 31-year-old man as Derwin Darnell Joseph Matthews Jr. of Philadelphia. He was shot in the stomach and taken to Jefferson Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m., police said. The shooting happened several hours after the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival were held in the Gayborhood on Sunday. The incident is under investigation.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The Empire State Building will light up for Pride and Juneteenth this month
The holiday season may still be months away, but June presents its own festive season with Pride events all month and Juneteenth commemorations at mid-month. This year, the Empire State Building is getting in on the fun with two special light-up events. In honor of Juneteenth, red, black and green lights will beam from the building on Thursday, June 19. Later in the month, the building's tower lights will shine in the rainbow colors of the inclusive Pride flag on Sunday, June 29, coinciding with the date of NYC's Pride March. There are hundreds of events happening for Pride this year. A few of our top picks include Ladyland (featuring Cardi B and FKA Twigs), Books and Burlesque, the Criminal Queerness Festival and PRISM: A Festival of New Queer Musicals. Here's our full rundown of Pride events. As for Juneteenth, there are plenty of ways to celebrate, including the Juneteenth Jazz Jubilee, Still We Rise: Juneteenth Celebration, "I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies" Juneteenth teach-in and a comedy show called Drunk Black History. Here are even more Juneteenth events. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Empire State Realty Trust (@esrtsocial) Considering the Empire State Building's status as the world's most famous building, it's very cool to add light-up celebrations to the list for Pride and Juneteenth festivities. Definitely head to Midtown and snap a photo of the lights on June 19 and June 29. The Empire State Building has been an icon since it opened in 1931 as the world's tallest building. Though the landmark may have lost its No. 1 height status, it's remained a beloved destination with incredible views of the city. The tower's lights change colors to honor holidays, special occasions and special causes. Thanks to a state-of-the-art LED system, the lights glow in a dazzling palette of 16 million colors with limitless combinations.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pride Month: LGBTQIA+ community gathers for a vibrant celebration in New Delhi
The Capital was overtaken by a burst of colour, cheer and unapologetic pride on Saturday evening at an event marking the beginning of Pride Month. Bringing together members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, the event began with a series of moving speeches. From their personal journeys of acceptance to calling for policy-level inclusion and workplace equality, the speakers' words set the tone for the rest of the evening. 'I believe Pride should not just be celebrated during one particular month, but all 365 days of the year. It is just a happy reminder for everyone that the LGBTQIA+ community is here. We wanted to tell our people that while the world might be regressing, in India, we are progressing,' said Keshav Suri, an activist and LGBTQIA+ advocate, during the event, adding, 'While we have a long way to go, we're still on the right path.' Several attendees reflected the spirit of Pride month in vibrant rainbow colours. Also part of the celebrations was a Pride March. Taking to the adjoining streets of Barakhamba and Connaught Place, attendees expressed their joy and happiness through dance moves. The event drew to a close after a pride flag hoisting.
