Pride Parade Kicks Off Day-Long Celebration in Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Pride celebrations filled the streets of Rochester, beginning with the Pride Parade and Festival on Park Avenue on Saturday.

The parade started at 1:00 p.m., with the celebration continuing into the night with the ROC Pride Fest.

William Valenti, Co-Founder of Trillium Health, says, “We look forward to Pride because it’s a day of solidarity, brings people together. It’s a good thing, so be proud.”

Some are experts when it comes to the parade. Amy, with Rainbow Seniors ROC, says, “This is our chance to be our authentic selves in a mass, and we just love it.”

Others are getting to celebrate with everyone for the first time.

“It’s our first time. First of many to come to participate in the annual Pride parade,” says Brandon Brooks, Curator of John L. Wehle Gallery at the Genesee Country Village & Museum.

Although the community came to celebrate, they’re also pushing the importance of education. Brandon says, “The Rochester LGBTQ+ community has existed throughout time, and it is one of the narratives that has been historically underrepresented, if not entirely erased. Part of our love, part of our duty to history is to bring those stories to light.”

Having family together and supporting each other is what some people say Pride is all about.

“I have the best daughter and daughter-in-law in the whole world. They are absolutely wonderful. We’re very supportive of them and the rest of our family also,” says a parade attendee.

The people of Rochester celebrated all day, coming together in the community and encouraging everyone to be themselves. Celebrations continued after the parade at the ROC Pride Fest in Cobbs Hill Park.

Cameron Maurer, a festival attendee, says, “Providing a space that’s being completely judgment-free where anyone can be themselves is just awesome.”

Another festival-goer, Michael Marshall, says, “It makes me proud to be a Rochesterian.”

Source : RochesterFirst