One of the most vibrant and fun days on the Rochester calendar is here. Rochester’s Pride Parade brings a strange sense of joy and celebration to the streets of the city today.
Follow the Democratic and Chronicle live coverage here this afternoon, and look for a photo gallery later highlighting the day’s events.
Rochester’s 2023 Pride Parade and Festival is less than a month away.What you need to know
Rochester Pride Parade Weather Forecast
Parade attendees can expect a humid and sweltering heat this afternoon. The National Weather Service calls for highs of 87 degrees Fahrenheit with a small chance of showers during the time of the parade and most of the Pride festival thereafter.
But be careful as the day goes on later. The Japan Meteorological Agency expects heavy rain in the evening.
Who is Reena Golden, Parade Grand Marshal
Founder, CEO and Artistic Director of Avenue Black Box Theater, Reena Golden is the Grand Marshal for the 2023 Rochester Pride Parade.
According to the website, Avenue Theater is a place “focused on respecting and uplifting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices, arts and issues while reducing barriers to the arts experience for all.”
The facility describes itself as “a black-owned, inclusive, fully accessible, social justice and art fusion that brings together dynamic stage productions, installations, and live art-making events for us and by us.” queer space that it creates.”
According to a press release on Trillium Health’s website, Golden was nominated and selected as the Grand Marshal of the Pride Parade for her contributions to improving the lives of members of the local LGBTQ+ community. She founded Her Avenue Black Box Theater on the site of a former pharmacy along Joseph Her Avenue in January 2018.
Golden has also served as Adjunct Professor in the International Theater Program at the University of Rochester and has taught and lectured locally and nationally.
For the past two years, the Democratic Party and Chronicle have partnered with Golden and The Avenue Blackbox Theater to host a storytelling workshop for teenagers, Block Party August 2022 on Joseph Avenue, and hosted by Golden. and co-staged the March 2023 Artists of the Republic of China Celebration, curated by the Democratic Party. And Chronicle reporter Jeanne Shields.
Honorary Sheriff of the Pride Parade is Todd Lanus, who spent decades with the Monroe County Department of Social Services and helped establish mandatory LGBTQ+ training for all service staff and foster parents.
‘Todos Somos Familia’: Latinx Groups March in Pride Parade
“We are all family”
Spanish words were spelled out in gold mylar letters strung between two rows of rainbow balloons.
In English, we are all family.
That’s the message of group culture Latinos at Rochester’s first Pride Parade.
Team leader Evelyn D’Agostino said the group wanted to make sure LGBTQ people were welcome in the Latinx community.
According to its website, Grupo Culture Latinos En Rochester is “a non-profit organization focused on sharing the diverse folklore of the Latino community with Western, New York. Recreation centers, towns, and continuation of donors With your generous support, we can offer dance classes, bilingual storytimes, performances, and more.”
Grupo Cultural also displays a large tree float with flags of Latin American countries on its branches. D’Agostino said the float is another symbol of unity seen by LGBTQ people.
“You belong in the Spanish-speaking world,” she said.
–Marian Battlel
Pride Parade floats honor defender Dick Jackman
Decorations on the parade float honoring gay rights activist Dick Jackman included rainbow balloons, a giant pride flag with a smiley face and a thatched beach umbrella.
Jackman was born in Buffalo, lived in Rochester, and died in 2016. His daughter, Cindy Meyer, said the float was a tribute to Jackman’s family and friends who have been marching in Rochester’s Pride Parade for seven years.
“He kept fighting. I keep fighting for him,” said Meyer, who wore rainbow fairy wings and matching knee-high socks.
Meyer said the parade is a time for everyone to open up and celebrate, a reality that Jackman worked hard to make it happen.
“We stand on the shoulders of people like him.”
–Marian Battlel
High interest to attend the 2023 Rochester Pride Parade
Most places have LGBTQ Pride in June, but Rochester’s annual festival is in July. This year’s schedule of events includes a Pride picnic last Sunday at Genesee Valley Park, a parade today, and a post-parade festival at Cobb’s Hill Park.
And it looks like a lot of people are planning to attend. About 200 groups had registered to march during the parade, according to the official website, and the “unprecedented” interest prompted Pride organizers to halt the application process early.
–Marian Battlel
2023 Rochester Pride Parade Route Map
New to the Pride Parade? Not sure where to go or where to park?
parade Starts at Alexander Street and Park Avenue. March down Park Avenue. Then turn right onto Culver Road. The destination is Cobb’s Hill, where an outdoor afterparty awaits.
A PDF version of the Rochester Pride Parade route is available online here: bit.ly/3qMp3wE.
–Marian Battlel
This story will be updated later today.
