As Hell’s Kitchen celebrated PRIDE, one of the biggest parties was the W52nd Street Community Pride Festival on Sunday afternoon. The non-stop stage performances were interrupted early evening by New York’s Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped into the festivities.

Mayor Eric Adams speaking at the Hell's Kitchen Pride Community Event W52nd St
Mayor Eric Adams speaks to the crowd at the Hell’s Kitchen Pride Community Event on W52nd Street this afternoon. Photo: Phil O’Brien

Mayor Adams shared words (and many selfies) as he greeted the LGBTQIA+ crowd on W52nd Street between 8/9th Avenue at just before 6pm. The event was presented by GOAL (the Gay Officers Action League) alongside Boxers and Hush. Gay bar co-owner Bob Fluet was on hand to welcome the Mayor alongside many LGBTQ+ NYPD officers from GOAL.

“It’s really unfortunate when people believe that those who are in the NYPD are not proud of their gay and trans [colleagues]. It is really unfortunate. If you go back in time to when I was a rookie cop, those who inspired me to go to Albany and fight for marriage were those members of GOAL. Those members of GOAL who stood up and fought for years by saying, ‘you can be trans and gay and a police officer,'” said Adams about his experiences during the 1980s in the police force with GOAL and LGBTQIA+ rights.

Drag Queen performance at Hell's Kitchen Pride Community Event W52nd St
The crowd enjoying drag performances during the afternoon on W52nd Street. Photo: Phil O’Brien

The Mayor added: “I remember the foundation of GOAL. I knew what GOAL stood for. I saw what they did during those times. I saw those who fought and made the foundation, the Harvey Milks, those who stood up for what was not popular. It is popular now to many, but it was not popular in 1984, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90 and throughout.”

Adams told the hundreds gathered at the event that he would always stand with the LGBTQIA+ community — and in particular, the police officers who are members of GOAL. “Keep doing what you’re doing. Thank you so much for doing this event. Please stand strong.”

Mayor Eric Adams and Drag Queen
Mayor Adams took time to pose for selfies with drag artists, GOAL members and attendees. Photo: Phil O’Brien

The event took over the whole street and was based around Hush, one of Hell’s Kitchen’s queer spaces which replaced Therapy during the pandemic.

Mayor Adams and Bob Fluet
Bob Fluet, co-owner of Boxers and Hush, greets Mayor Eric Adams on his arrival at the event. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Dog at Hell's Kitchen Pride Community Event W52nd St
There were many PRIDE pups in the crowd. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Hell's Kitchen Pride Community Event W52nd St
Some PRIDE pups patiently watched and enjoyed the show. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Dogs walking at Hell's Kitchen Pride Community Event W52nd St 7181
Other pups just took a walk through the festivities. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Drag Queen performance at Hell's Kitchen Pride Community Event W52nd St
The drag artists were definitely the stars of the street show. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Mayor Eric Adams at the Hell's Kitchen Pride Community Event W52nd St
Mayor Adams waiting patiently for his time to take the stage. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Mayor Eric Adams and Drag Queen
Mayor Adams poses for another selfie. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Mayor Eric Adams Dog
The Mayor enjoyed holding onto this PRIDE pup for a photo, saying: “I love dogs!” Photo: Phil O’Brien

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1 Comment

  1. It is wonderful that the mayor stop by and my neighborhood to encourage the LGBTQ+ to keep moving to keep going!
    It’s not easy being a mayor in such a big cosmopolitan City with its pluses and minuses. As a trans woman, I take my hat off to him for encouraging people like me and our community! Love is power.

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