MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- There are many different ways to celebrate pride throughout the month, including the New York City Pride March on June 30.
This past weekend, a quieter, gentler Church-based celebration was held a the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.
The Pride Evensong concert featured music by LGBTQIA, composers and vocals by the Cathedral community choir. All visitors were welcome to sing and listen.
The Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band also gave a joyous outdoors concert on the grounds of the cathedral.
Eva Suarez, the Reverend Canon for community engagement at the cathedral wanted to make sure the message for this Pride family picnic was clear.
“We believe that to celebrate Pride, we celebrate the deepest convictions of the Christian faith, that God made us just as we are meant to be, and that we need one another,” Suarez told PIX11 News.
For the families, enjoying the misting station and the music this was a day of inclusion and fun.
“I think it’s amazing that in the political climate like this we have a church giving us respite and shade with the craziness around us, to celebrate and to fight for queer liberation,” Denisse Andrade, a parent, told PIX11 News. “It’s nice to be in a family space.” Andrade added.
“Until everybody is treated with dignity, they deserve to be acknowledged and recognized,” Seth Rader, a picnic goer, told PIX11 News.
Pathways of Pride continues here at the Cathedral until next Sunday.
