May 28, 2019 -- For the first time in Westchester County’s history, a LGBTQ Pride Flag will fly next to the front steps of the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains throughout WorldPride Month. Furthering his message of inclusion and openness, Westchester County Executive George Latimer chose to host the Flag Raising Ceremony to ensure that all who identify as LGBTQ feel welcome in Westchester County. The LGBTQ Pride Flag Raising is being hosted by Westchester County, the LOFT and the LGBTQ Advisory Board.
Sunday, June 2
11:30 a.m.
Front Steps of the Michaelian Office Building
148 Martine Avenue, White Plains
As part of the WorldPride celebrations, Westchester County will also be offering a special promotion at Playland Park, “Pride Day at Playland.”
Sunday, June 23
Pride Day at Playland
Noon until 10 p.m.
Playland Park
1 Playland Pkwy, Rye
All guests who visit the park on Sunday, June 23 will be able to purchase unlimited ride bands for a discounted rate of $20, and a Spinning Wheel Raffle will be drawn every half-hour from 1 to 6 p.m. with the chance to win Playland prizes.
County Executive George Latimer said: “The Pride Flag Raising is just one way that we can show acceptance and inclusion towards the LGBTQ community here in Westchester. I want to ensure that everyone – regardless of their sexual orientation – feels welcome when they are in our County. I am proud to partner with the LOFT to celebrate this momentous occasion, and kick off a month-long celebration of WorldPride.”
Judy Troilo, Executive Director of the LOFT, Westchester’s LGBTQ+ Community Center said: “We are grateful to County Executive George Latimer and our local government for helping to lift up Westchester’s LGBTQ Community on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising."
Chair of the Westchester County LGBTQ Advisory Board Christopher Oldi said: “The LGBTQ Advisory Board is thrilled to host the first ever Westchester County Pride Flag raising – especially during this historic year where World Pride will be recognized for the first time in New York City, as well as coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots, widely considered to be the start of the LGBTQ rights movement. I thank County Executive George Latimer for his commitment to LGBTQ rights, and look forward to the celebration of pride across the County.”
June Pride celebrations in Westchester County include:
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Westchester Pride Festival takes place on Court Street in White Plains on Sunday, June 2, from 12-5 p.m. This free, family-friendly event features entertainment, raffles, a bounce house and face painting, great vendors and fun activities for all ages.
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Yonkers Pride Festival marks the city’s second annual LGBTQ+ PRIDE celebration, this year held June 7-8. The outdoor festival consists of fun events, celebrity entertainment, food, activities, and community groups. The theme of the festival is “50 Down - Forever to Go!”
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Hudson River Museum kicks off Pride Month on June 1 from 6-9 p.m. with a concert reading of Doric Wilson’s 1981 play, Street Theater – the signature production of The Other Side of Silence, NYC’s longest running LGBTQ+ theater company – which focuses on the 90-minutes prior to the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969.
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Peekskill Pride and Dramatic Hall presents a celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride on June 14. The packed evening of entertainment will be headlined by comedian Julia Scotti from America's Got Talent, who was named one of the "Top 50 Successful Transgender Americans You Should Know” by LGBTQ Nation.
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New Rochelle Pride invites you to its first annual PRIDE Sunset Cruise on June 22. The cruise will depart from Neptune Park at 6:30 p.m., and will feature food, drinks, entertainment and great views of downtown Manhattan. The cost is $120 per person, limited space is available.
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The Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series invites you to a screening of TransMilitary at the Ossining Public Library on June 6 from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. A debrief discussion will explore the lives of transgender individuals defending their country’s freedom, while fighting for their own. Event is free and open to the public.
Those who are visiting Westchester County to celebrate WorldPride can learn more about how to make the most of their trip HERE.
Millions of visitors are expected to flock to New York City, which will host world pride for the first time this June. The celebration poignantly coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the historic uprising at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, which is widely remembered as the most important event that lead to the gay liberation movement and fight for LGBTQ rights in the United States.