Hundreds lined the way in the South Wedge July 19 to see the 2025 Rochester Pride Parade.
More than 200 groups or floats were in the parade, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and culminates a Pride Week of events.
Luckily, the weather was not as hot and miserable as the prior one. It was sunny and warm for the parade, but not unbearable.
A festive feeling, smiles and lots of bright colors drew attention at the community event, a tradition. It was also a chance to see old friends.
Diane Miller of Rochester attended the Pride parade and festival and thought the event was amazing.
“Rochester’s a big melting pot, we have a lot of different nationalities, we have a lot of different diverse people and this is when people come together,” Miller said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a pride event or another event, everybody comes together, but the support here for pride is amazing.”
Miller also expressed the importance of holding this event especially at a time when the Trump administration is making executive actions that could impact the LGBTQ community.
“This event is important because just when they’re trying to beat us down, they will not beat us down,” Miller said.
‘We want to have equality like anybody else’
Assemblyman Harry Bronson served as the Pride Grand Marshal for this year’s event and explained how this event makes people aware of how Pride is celebrated in the community.
“Even though we may love differently or identify differently, we’re just regular folk who want to do well for ourselves and for our family,” Brunson said. “This celebration is part of saying we’re loud and proud and we want to have equality like anybody else.”
As Pride Grand Marshal Brunson said this was an opportunity for him to continue promoting the message of hope.
“I have a saying that many people have heard- no matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, how you identify, what your abilities are, we all have dignity,” Brunson said. “With that dignity we deserve equity, justice and opportunities.”
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com.
— Steve Howe reports on weather, climate and the Great Lakes for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he has covered myriad topics over the years, including public safety, local government, national politics and economic development in New York and Utah.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Pride Parade 2025 fills the streets with color and celebration: See the photos
Reporting by Steve Howe and Kerria Weaver, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
