Creative Styles and Sexual Liberation

A style of colors and brilliant reflections illuminate the city and set the mood at noon on June 26th, 2022. 25th street and 5th Avenue held the ultimate activity of the month. The universal celebration PRIDE is annually coordinated by NYC Pride in support of their LGBTQ community. Raising awareness and liberating the once underground lifestyle.

To say that you are from New York expresses impetuous toughness and projects a pace needed to keep up with the rush of the city. Never the less the fight for recognition in sexual identity has transformed the sterotypical New Yorker personality into a well spring of fraternity and creative release.

Walking the festival was traveling side by side with strangers yet at the same time intimate allies, easily identifiable thanks to their style. Expression and unity was shown through some kind of decorative detail on clothing, flamboyant hair, handbags and elaborate ensembles beyond what the imagination of LGBTQ movement has commercialized. Some might say it has been the most alien month in the city, from an aesthetic point of view. Of course the questions and commenetary follows. You hear things like “Do you like the outfit?” “How’s my make up?” “Do you like it, is it strange but mysteriously sensual? You like it.”

“Be who you really feel you are.” It is the proclaimed premise that’s an excuse for many. It offers the dazzling opportunity to show off extravagance and sexuality under temperatures of 85°F and rising, along with long walks and crowded restaurants through the 20 streets committed to the event.

In the background, aside from the freedom in the air and strides of acceptance, comments were heard about the corporatization of the event with businesses and brands adapting their marketing strategies and sales pitches each year in Pride month, yet still struggling to obtain the benefits of a growing market. This side effect is difficult to avoid. Still, this is putting more money in the bag and increasing the popular audience towards one of the most famous sexually liberating events in the world.

The NYC pride has its origins during the Stonewall Riots of 1969 when police raided the Stonewall Inn, the Greenwich Village bar that had become a staple of New York City’s underground gay community. The confrontation and legal recognition has been a roller coaster that has not stopped in 56 years. To this day the struggle is still present and obstacles are continuesly faced. These great challenges have not yet been resolved in a country more divided than ever, although the people remain strong and show much resilience in this matter.

Now openly together and publicly out spoken we all return to the roots for those who wanted to march for the original ideals. The 2022 Queer Liberation March for Trans and BIPOC freedom, reproductive justice and bodily anatomy was organized by the Reclaim Pride Coalition that started from Foley Square NYC to Washington Square Park. It is the alternative stance that seeks to recover the dignity and the original message. We’re still here we’re still queer get used to it!