My First PRIDE in New York City

Jun 30

This was my first time at NYC Pride.
I had been to São Paulo’s parade once — and as a Brazilian, that was my main reference. The parade there is huge, one of the biggest in the world, and the feeling I had back then was that I was in a space of celebration — almost like a massive carnival.

But here in New York, it felt different.
Of course there was joy, color, glitter — but there was also something deeply symbolic in the air. There was politics, resistance, memory. Not to compare — every place has its history — but here, I felt something more like a march.

At first, my idea was just to observe. To find a spot and photograph the crowd from the sidewalk. I wanted to see the city move.
But Caio, my husband, works at a Northwell hospital, and they were marching with a group focused on LGBTQIA+ healthcare. I went with him, and before I realized it, I was inside the movement.

And that’s when everything changed.

As we walked, people looked me in the eyes and said things like:
“Thank you for existing.”
“We love you.”
“We see you.”
That hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting.

One moment that really stayed with me was when we passed in front of the Stonewall Inn.
To be there, seeing that place, knowing that’s where it all started — it felt like time paused. That block holds history, pain, progress. So many people fought so we could be here today.

Among the faces I photographed, a few encounters stayed with me.
I saw older gay men marching — men who survived the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Just the fact that they were there, smiling and dancing, is already an act of resistance.

I saw a woman holding a sign that said she’s been with the same person for over 40 years. That’s resistance too.

And I saw many signs saying “Protect the Dolls.”
That made me reflect on the space I occupy.

I’m a gay, cis, white man.
I have the privilege of walking down the street safely, loving in public, accessing healthcare without fear.
I know that’s not the reality for many trans people.

And we can’t ignore that.
Trans rights are urgent.
Trans visibility is urgent.
Dignity, healthcare access, the right to use a restroom, to simply exist without fear — that must be guaranteed.
And for that, we need to look, listen, and show up.

Being at Pride made me think about all of this.
Seeing trans people. Seeing families with kids. Seeing straight couples holding flags as allies — all of that moved me.
Because that’s what it’s about: it’s collective.

In the end, I got more involved than I expected.
And now, sharing these images here, what I want is to show not just what I saw — but how I saw it.

I hope these photos move you too.

Best,

Ton