Thu, June 26 2008

Cathy Renna, Renna Communications, 917.757.6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com

For Immediate Release

MEDIA AVAILABILITY AT 11AM at 52nd & 5th Avenue with the Grand Marshalls.
This is the location of the Media Tent, please ask for Cathy Renna from the LGBT Center or Dennis from Heritage of Pride.

If you have any questions in advance please email cathy@rennacommunications.com or call (212) 80-PRIDE.

THE 39th ANNUAL LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MARCH

When:      12:00 noon - 6:00PM, Sunday, June 29th, 2008
Where:      Fifth Ave. & 52nd Street to Christopher & Greenwich Streets
Who:        Over 300 organizations, more than 500,000 attendees and over 1
million spectators
What:        New York City's largest march

New York City's annual Pride March began in 1970 as a commemoration of the one¬-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.  The March has since grown to become the oldest and one of the world's largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) events.

This year's Pride March will begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday, June 29th.
Step-off for the nearly 300 groups and 500,000 participants will take place on 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue.  The March then follows the Lavender Line to its conclusion at the intersection of Christopher Street and Greenwich Street.  Longer than St. Patrick's green line by many blocks, the Line is an identifying symbol of New York City's Pride March and will mark all four miles of the March's route.  The route moves south on Fifth Avenue and turns right (west) on 8th Street and proceeds to the top of Christopher Street by the Jefferson Market Library.  From here, the March will pass down Stonewall Place and the Stonewall Inn, site of the riots in June of 1969.

Led by our Grand Marshals, Gilbert Baker - Candis Cayne - The New York City LGBT Community Center - PFLAG NYC (Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians), the March will include floats, marching bands, and representatives from more than 300 LGBT organizations and businesses from all over the Northeast.  In addition, over 1 million spectators will line the March route.

The Moment of Silence:  At 2:00 PM, the entire March falls silent - all music, bands, singing and talking ceases as everyone along the four-mile long route, marchers and spectators alike, stops, stands and remembers those we have lost to AIDS.  It is Heritage of Pride's (HOP) way of ensuring that we all remember that the AIDS crisis is not over and that much more work needs to be done to stop the pandemic in this city and around the world.
Red Ribbons of Remembrance, each with a place to write the name of a loved one who has died of AIDS, are distributed along the March route. All donations received by HOP for the Ribbons of Remembrance benefit worthwhile New York City service organizations.  Ribbons of Remembrance are graciously underwritten by amfAR (the foundation for AIDS research).

Media Opportunities at the March
Photo and video opportunities, news and human-interest stories abound at the March.

Of particular interest to photographers/videographers is the beginning of the March. The nearly 100 motorcycles from several of the Northeast's clubs, six block-long rainbow balloon arches and several marching bands that make up the Lead Section of the March are certainly loud and vibrant.  Excellent opportunities exist for spectacular images as the Lead Section lines up on Fifth Avenue after 11:00 AM and as it moves down the route.

In addition, the nearly 300 groups positioned in 14 sections throughout the Formation Area (Madison to Seventh Avenues from 52nd to 57th Streets, see enclosed section listing) are not only colorful but afford an opportunity to interview individuals representing the amazing diversity of the LGBT community and its supporters.

Further down the route, the Reviewing Stand also gives excellent opportunities to photographers, videographers and other media. Located directly in front of Madison Square Park at 24th Street and Fifth Avenue, the Reviewing Stand is where organizations in the March stop and put on a show for the crowd, hoping for a chance to win one of our coveted March Awards.

About the Center

A beacon of hope for 29 years, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center builds and supports our community through arts and culture, wellness and recovery, family services and life-saving youth programs designed to foster healthy development in a safe, affirming environment. The Center envisions a world where LGBT people will no longer face discrimination or isolation because of who we are or who we love. We offer a welcoming home to 300,000 visitors each year and we are committed to serving all LGBT people through a variety of programs, services and activities that are designed to meet existing and emerging needs.The Center is many things to many people. We invite you to experience our home at 208 West 13th Street in person and online at gaycenter.org