New York, NY, May 18, 2022 – NYC Pride announces details of The Conference and The Rally, important events that foster dialogue about issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community, provide immersive sessions that explore human rights around the world, and call for protest and action. This year’s Conference will combine presentations and discussions, politics and policies, and academics and activism. The Rally will bring the community together to advocate for change at a time when over 300 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills are in play, a critical midterm election looms, and much remains at stake at Federal levels, including the Supreme Court, on-going efforts to pass the Equality Act, and other legislation important to the fight for liberation, equity, and civil rights.
“These unique events provide us with an important opportunity to gather in conversation on Thursday at the Conference and channel those discussions into advocacy at The Rally the next day,” said NYC Pride Executive Director Sandra Pérez. “With a multitude of challenges threatening our human rights, creating space to connect over our shared experiences and making our voices heard is critical during Pride month when the LGBTQIA+ community is gathered together in solidarity.”
The Conference will take place on Thursday, June 23rd from 9am to 7:30pm EDT featuring an opening plenary, cocktail reception, and numerous networking opportunities. NYC-based singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist keiyaA will kick off the conference with a special grounding moment. Northwell Health will provide a Mental Health panel with representation from interdisciplinary professionals including the Freidman Transgender Center and the Zucker Hillside Hospital mental health facility and psychiatric center. Additional programming will be provided by key partners including Film Fatales, and Dr. David Johns of the National Black Justice Coalition.
Following the Conference, the Rally will take place on Friday, June 24th from 4pm to 7pm EDT with hosts Raquel Willis and Sage Dolan-Sandrino. Among this year’s speakers are Chase Strangio, Dominique Morgan, and Schuyler Bailar who were recently announced as grand marshals at this year’s NYC Pride March.
"It's an honor to be able to bring some Black trans power to the NYC Pride Rally,” said Willis. “I can't wait to celebrate with our community."
“I am so excited to join NYC Pride this year in celebration of our voices, lives, and Pride alongside Raquel Willis,” said Dolan-Sandrino.
Additional speakers include B. Hawk Snipes, Edafe Okoporo, Linda La, Shawnee Kish, Angy Rivera, The Okra Project, and the National LGBTQ+ Task Force. The Task Force is driving Queer the Vote to educate and mobilize LGBTQ+ rights supporters during key election cycles and legislative assaults on the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the historic gains the community has made, victories have come under threat as the United States has witnessed a pronounced acceleration of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation, as well as aggressive voter suppression fueled chiefly by misinformation. In 2022, Queer the Vote will be on the frontlines as a dynamic vehicle for power building.
The Conference will take place at New York Law School. Tickets are available here. NYC Pride is proud to announce that The Rally will take place at The Battery, a larger venue than in years past that can accommodate more attendees, while also maintaining social distancing and making COVID-19 precautions as a top priority. After two successful years of producing virtual rallies, NYC Pride will host this event in a hybrid format to ensure as many people as possible have access to this important event. Guests can register free of charge here.
For more information about NYC Pride 2022 visit: www.nycpride.org.
Media Contacts:
Dan Dimant | Media Director
Cathy Renna | Media Consultant
ABOUT HERITAGE OF PRIDE Heritage of Pride, Inc. is the volunteer-directed organization behind the official NYC Pride roster of events. Heritage of Pride’s mission is to work toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law. We do this by producing LGBTQIA+ Pride events that inspire, educate, commemorate, and celebrate our diverse community.
