“After gaining National Media Coverage, Italian Associations return as key players at the 2024 NYC Pride Parade" Com.It.Es. of NY and ITALYFE Celebrate Diversity and Equality. Click here to join the parade. Pride 2024 Theme: "Reflect. Empower. Unite"

This year, the New York City Pride Parade will once again feature a vibrant celebration of Italian and Italian-American LGBTQIA+ identities, with two prominent Italian associations, ITALYFE and Com.It.Es. of NY, marching in support of love, diversity, and equality. NYC Pride 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Heritage of Pride and the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

"This year's theme is an imperative and a call to action. While we reflect on past triumphs and challenges, we must also empower our community to continue to ignite change and unite against the forces that do not want us to exist. Unity at this time is critical to our survival. Our theme calls us all to action," said Kazz Alexander, NYC Pride co-chair.

Com.It.Es. of NY: Promoting Unity and Acceptance

For the third consecutive year, the Com.It.Es. of Ny will participate in the NYC Pride Parade. Com.It.Es. of NY invites everyone to join them, whether dressed in one of the rainbow colors or simply as they are, to proudly celebrate their heritage and identities.

“Our participation in the Pride Parade reflects our commitment to promoting equality and acceptance,” said Riccardo Costa, Com.It.Es. member in charge of LGBTQIA+ rights. “We are here to stand strong for all rights and to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Italian and Italian-American identities.” Claudia Carbone, Com.It.Es. member and president of the civil rights committee, echoed this sentiment: “Our commitment to defending rights continues throughout the year with activities and awareness campaigns. Marching on June 30th is essential as it represents a time to celebrate pride and all the battles won, while also demonstrating our determination for future victories.”

The pop-artist Mattia Bari will also be present at the Pride Parade, and Com.It.Es. will march with a banner designed by the famous Italian artist Marco Gallotta.

Participants are encouraged to bring their flags, water, snacks, and vibrant energy to the event. The meeting point is 27th Street between 6th Ave and 5th Ave at 1:00 PM. It is crucial to include all participants' emails and full names for security purposes.

Additionally, Com.It.Es. of NY will host a Rainbow Happy Hour Aperitivo on Thursday, June 27th, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Ribalta, located at 48 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003. This event will be a prelude to the main parade, offering a chance to connect and celebrate in a more intimate setting.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PARADE

ITALYFE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Italian lifestyle and fostering an inclusive society, will also march in the NYC Pride Parade 2024. Their mission during the parade is to amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ Italians and Italian-Americans, promoting understanding and acceptance across different cultures.

“By participating in this historic event, we aim to demonstrate our support for the lgbtqia+ community and highlight the importance of living authentically and freely,” said Francesca Di Matteo, President of ITALYFE. “Every year we march in defense of those who, unfortunately, still feel discriminated against in many parts of the world. We strongly believe that every individual, regardless of their background or orientation, deserves to be celebrated.”

Last year, ITALYFE stood out in the parade by choosing Raffaella Carrà as their icon, bringing smiles to many participants with the face of this beloved national figure who has become a gay icon worldwide. This year, the association will march with another famous icon, which will be a surprise.

ITALYFE invites all supporters, allies, and community members to join them in section number 3 of the parade. The meeting point is the same as Com.It.Es. of NY, 27th Street between 6th Ave and 5th Ave and participants are asked to check in at 1:00 PM.

ITALYFE emphasizes the importance of dressing in a single color chosen from the Pride colors to create a visually impactful presence.

For those unable to attend, ITALYFE encourages ticket cancellations to allow others on the waiting list to participate. Contributions and payments can be made via Venmo, and all donations are tax-deductible.

For more info, contact [email protected] or [email protected]. Let's make this Pride Parade a memorable celebration of unity and equality.