Yesterday, I attended New York City’s 43rd annual Gay Pride Parade. Also reportedly in attendance was Real Housewives of New York star Sonja Morgan, who was on the Bravo float. Former Real Housewives of New York star, Alex McCord, was also there, along with her husband, Simon van Kempen and their two young children.
Other cast members expressed their support via Twitter.
“Happy Pride to all my LGBT friends in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and New Orleans today! Have fun xoxo,” tweeted LuAnn de Lesseps. “Happy pride day,” tweeted rookie Real Housewives of New York star, Aviva Drescher. “Happy pride everywhere!” tweeted fellow rookie cast mate, Heather Thompson.
Coincidentally, yesterday also marked the one year anniversary of New York’s legalization of gay marriage. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo also participated in yesterday’s festivities.
Also in the parade was Cyndi Lauper, as the grand Marshall.
Same sex marriage is now legal in eight states of the USA, with Massachusetts being the first to legalize it in 2004, followed by Connecticut (2008), Iowa (2009), Vermont (2009), New Hampshire (2010), New York (2011), Washington (2012) and Maryland (passed in March 2012, but will not be effective until January 1, 2013). As of March 2010, same sex marriage is also legal in our nation’s capital, Washington, DC (also known as the District of Columbia).
That being said, the struggle for equal rights within the GLBT community continues to be an uphill battle, as gay marriage is currently banned in 31 states.
Nonetheless, yesterday marked an important one year anniversary for the LGBT community in New York, as they happily celebrated during yesterday’s 43rd annual Gay Pride parade.