More than 48,000 people marched in the New York Pride March on Sunday, and 2 million people showed up in support, according to AM New York.
The year's theme was "Defiantly Different," a call for people to celebrate their uniqueness and to take action for human rights. Throughout the day, the sense of jubilation was only surpassed by the awareness that many political obstacles stand in the way of both domestic and global LGBTQ rights.
After years of progress, the administration of President Donald Trump has rolled back transgender rights, defunded HIV/AIDs advocacy groups, and enabled discrimination against LGBTQ people, among many other actions, according to the advocacy group GLAAD.
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Around the world, LGBTQ rights remain under constant threat and 74 countries continue to criminalize homosexuality.
Gabriela Bhaskar photographed the march on assignment for Global Citizen and spoke with numerous revelers about what they hope our generation accomplishes. People called for universal health care, climate justice, voting rights, and more humane immigration laws. Overwhelmingly, they called for equality.
Here are some of our favorite portraits and quotes from the day.
A little girl cheers as she marches through the 2018 NYC Pride March on June 24, 2018.
A little girl cheers as she marches through the 2018 NYC Pride March on June 24, 2018.
Karen Mirua, 44, Hope Well, NY at the 2018 NYC Pride March.Karen Mirua, 44, Hope Well, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Karen Mirua, 44, Hope Well, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I don't want to see labels anymore. Everyone is equal. I want peace and love for the world. I want people to accept their neighbors, for who they are and as spiritual beings."
"I don't want to see labels anymore. Everyone is equal. I want peace and love for the world. I want people to accept their neighbors, for who they are and as spiritual beings." - Karen Mirua, 44.
Lorna Vatta, 48, Zoe Meregalli, 12, Emma Meregalli, 15 from Milan, Italy at the 2018 NYC Pride March. The family is on their first day of vacation. They found out about the march on the morning of and got clothing to participate in the festivities.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Lorna Vatta, 48, Zoe Meregalli, 12, Emma Meregalli, 15 from Milan, Italy at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Emma:
"I want to fight for gay rights and human rights for women and Black people."
Lorna:
I raised my daughters and try to be a role model to show them that women can do whatever they want despite what people day or think. And I want them to try to be happy while they do that.
The family is on their first day of vacation from Italy. They found out about the march on the morning of and got clothing to participate in the festivities.
“I raised my daughters and try to be a role model to show them that women can do whatever they want, despite what people say or think. And I want them to try to be happy while they do that.” - Lorna Vatta, 48.
Haley Maerz, 20 from Goshen, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Haley Maerz, 20 from Goshen, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want my generation to fight for equal rights for everyone and to fight for more animal rights by making more awareness of the destruction of their habitat."
"I want my generation to fight for equal rights for everyone and to fight for more animal rights by making more awareness of the destruction of their habitat." - Haley Maerz, 20.
Jeffrey Petersen (left), 43, from Harlem, New York, and John Gonzales (right), 51, from New York, NY at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Jeffrey Petersen (left), 43, from Harlem, New York, and John Gonzales (right), 51, from New York, NY at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Jeffrey: "VOTE! The most important thing young people can do is show up to vote. Really it comes down to voting, using the power we have to vote even if we eellike we don't have any power."
John: "I would like one global governor. Kinda like the UN but for the entire world."
"VOTE! The most important thing young people can do is show up to vote. Really it comes down to voting, using the power we have to vote even if feel like we don't have any power." - Jeffrey Petersen, 43.
Taylor Richardson (left), 16, from Edgewater, New Jersey, and Victoria Morales (right), 17, from Brooklyn, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Taylor Richardson (left), 16, from Edgewater, New Jersey, and Victoria Morales (right), 17, from Brooklyn, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Taylor:
"I want to see wider representation in the media for LGBTQ people on screen. I've seen how that helps people come to term with their identities, and even their parents can learn how to be more accepting."
Victoria:
"I'd like to see policy changes that prevent discriminations. There are some but more can be made to help trans people and women for example. There are still people who get left our from places or kicked out of them. I also want to fight for health care reform."
"I'd like to see policy changes that prevent discrimination. There are some but more can be made to help trans people and women for example. There are still people who get left out from places or kicked out of them. I also want to fight for health care reform." - Victoria Morales, 17.
Harmony Vuitton, 18, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Harmony Vuitton, 18, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"We want to be fighting for equality and peace. Just that, equality and peace."
"We want to be fighting for equality and peace. Just that, equality and peace." - Harmony Vuitton, 18.
La Sirena NYC ride through the West Village together in the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: La Sirena NYC ride through the West Village together in the 2018 NYC Pride March.
A participant dancing in the 2018 NYC Pride March.
A participant dancing in the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Attendees at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Attendees at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Gia Heard, 26, from the Bronx, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Gia Heard, 26, from the Bronx, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want our generation to fight for the right to be themselves."
"I want our generation to fight for the right to be themselves." - Gia Heard, 26.
Shine Dharan, 31, from London, United Kingdom at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Shine Dharan, 31, from London, United Kingdom at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want our generation to fight for equal rights for everyone; LGBTQ, and immigrants. Everyone. I wish that the gay rights we enjoy in New York will be enjoyed by everyone in this country."
"I want our generation to fight for equal rights for everyone; LGBTQ, and immigrants. Everyone. I wish that the gay rights we enjoy in New York will be enjoyed by everyone in this country." - Shine Dharan, 31
Rich Harris, 61, from Manhattan, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Rich Harris, 61, from Manhattan, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want unification; unity. There's a big unification problem. The era of Donald Trump has brought people out of the shadows and has shown us how fractured our country is."
" I think everyone should get water, food and shelter. Everyone should have opportunity, wherever you are, whoever you are. I'm not advocating for socialism. I'm advocation for a democratic social justice system.
There is a huge problem with the environment. There are companies like McDonald's and Starbucks that are making change but it is not fast enough."
"I think everyone should get water, food and shelter. Everyone should have opportunity, wherever you are, whoever you are. I'm not advocating for socialism. I'm advocating for a democratic social justice system." - Rich Harris, 61.
Ken Uva, 68, and Joyce Walkwitz at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Ken Uva, 68, and Joyce Walkwitz at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Ken: I'd like to see changes made in the economic structure. So more lower and middle income people can gain access to wealth. It is not even close to being equitably distributed."
"I think that younger generations need to keep moving on. They have to keep going. There is always something to work for. I was marching against war 50 years ago. We're still marching."
"I think that younger generations need to keep moving on. They have to keep going. There is always something to work for. I was marching against war 50 years ago. We're still marching." - Ken Uva, 68.
Lauren Wright, 33, and her daughter Jayla Wright, 7 at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Lauren Wright, 33, and her daughter Jayla Wright, 7 at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I would like to see more housing programs. There is so much homelessness. We need more help for people in need."
"I want my daughter to see that there are lots of different kinds of people in the world. She's nonverbal so I want her to see that all people can have fun."
"I would like to see more housing programs. There is so much homelessness. We need more help for people in need." - Lauren Wright, 33.
A group of people from NYU march up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A group of people from NYU march up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Lavinia Draper, 62, from New York, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Lavinia Draper, 62, from New York, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want the next generation to be kind to each other and keep an open mind. They should keep fighting for what they believe is right. They have to continue to be whoever they are are, and let no one tell them what is right for them."
"I want the next generation to be kind to each other and keep an open mind. They should keep fighting for what they believe is right. They have to continue to be whoever they are, and let no one tell them what is right for them." - Lavinia Draper, 62.
Denera Covington, 23, from Baltimore, Maryland, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Denera Covington, 23, from Baltimore, Maryland, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want peace, equality, and freedom of expression."
“I want peace, equality, and freedom of expression.” - Denera Covington, 23.
Kwamel Hawkins (left), 25, and Chester Allen (right), 24, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Kwamel Hawkins (left), 25, and Chester Allen (right), 24, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Kwamel: "Race is a huge problem. Things aren't always what they seem. People judge each other too fast."
Chester: "I want to see better pay, us to raise minimum wage. I want to see less racism and police brutality. That should be changed."
"Race is a huge problem. Things aren't always what they seem. People judge each other too fast." - Kwamel Hawkins (left), 25.
Ashlae Espinal, 17, in Brooklyn, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Ashlae Espinal, 17, in Brooklyn, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want us to be fighting for equal pay for men and women of all races."
"I want us to be fighting for equal pay for men and women of all races." - Ashlae Espinal, 17.
Alexandra Starr, 22, from College Station, Texas, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Alexandra Starr, 22, from College Station, Texas, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want my generation to fight for animal rights. We need to protect animals from going extinct. Especially the hunting going on in Africa. It's so wrong. I'm 'Team Animal' for sure. There is no reason to be hunting those animals."
"I want my generation to fight for animal rights. We need to protect animals from going extinct. Especially the hunting going on in Africa. It's so wrong." - Alexandra Starr, 22.
The crowd at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: The crowd at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
Tyze Super, 19, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Tyze Super, 19, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want no more gun violence. I want equal rights for everyone; women, LGBTQ, lower income people, and Black people. You should be able to walk the streets without people judging you and to take you as you are."
"I want no more gun violence. I want equal rights for everyone; women, LGBTQ, lower income people, and Black people. You should be able to walk the streets without people judging you and to take you as you are." - Tyze Super, 19.
Jaspreet Kalsi, 20, from Lincoln Park, New Jersey, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Jaspreet Kalsi, 20, from Lincoln Park, New Jersey, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I want equality, especially for people who are affected by hateful and discriminatory policies. I also think we should have universal basic income. All humans deserve a chance at living a good life."
"I want equality, especially for people who are affected by hateful and discriminatory policies. I also think we should have universal basic income. All humans deserve a chance at living a good life." - Jaspreet Kalsi, 20.
Juliette Aquino, 19, from Burlington, New Jersey, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Juliette Aquino, 19, from Burlington, New Jersey, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I think we still need to keep fighting for equality, for every gender or sexual orientation, and that love can overcome hate.You should be able to be who you want to be with repercussions."
"I think we still need to keep fighting for equality, for every gender or sexual orientation, and that love can overcome hate. You should be able to be who you want to be with repercussions." - Juliette Aquino, 19.
Starr Lust, 35, from the Bronx, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Starr Lust, 35, from the Bronx, New York, at the 2018 NYC Pride March.
"I would like to see more love. People getting together like this from different cultures, nationalities and genders. If we could all come together and unite as one, that would be amazing."
"I would like to see more love. People getting together like this from different cultures, nationalities and genders. If we could all come together and unite as one, that would be amazing." - Starr Lust, 35.