Stonewall Pride 2023 is on in the City of Wilton Manors!

The annual Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival is back and bigger than ever on June 17, 2023. Last year's event attracted over 50,000 spectators and had a direct economic impact of more than $20 million for the county, according to an independent study.

Plans this year call for the street festival with music and vendors to begin at 3 pm followed by an evening parade at 7pm. The one-day event ends at 11pm. “We are appealing to corporations and businesses to support this important event and show community spirit by becoming a sponsor, entering the parade, buying a booth and/or advertising in the official Stonewall guide,” said Jeff Sterling (CEO of Stonewall Pride), pointing to the expenses involved in staging an event of this kind. “Many people don’t understand that public safety comes at a cost — more than $100,000 just for police and medical services,” he said. “As a non-profit, we fund Stonewall Pride mostly by sponsorships and donations — both of which we need a lot more of this year.”

Stonewall Pride recognizes the 1969 riot that took place at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, that was raided by police. The event triggered the gay rights movement. Sterling went on to say: “Stonewall Pride is a reminder of the struggle for acceptance and equality by LGBTQ+ people and a celebration of who we are and how far we have come.”

Visit STONEWALLPRIDE.LGBT for sponsorship, vendor information, or parade entries or email Jamie Forsythe at Stonewall@Hotspots.lgbt.