In 2019, WorldPride marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and a half-century of LGBTQIA+ liberation with a month-long observance in New York City — WorldPride NYC/Stonewall50.
This commemoration culminates with the 2019 NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 30. The Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) is excited to announce plans to form a massed marching band for participation in this keystone event.
LGBA is a musical organization composed of concert and marching bands from cities across the United States and around the world. Formed in 1982 as Lesbian and Gay Bands of America when seven independent bands met formally in Chicago, the association has grown to 37 member organizations, including orchestras, color guard groups and international bands.
The Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps of New York City will showcase their own fabulous contingent in their home parade as usual, while performers of other LGBA member bands will come together from cities all around the world to form the massed marching band and color guard. Those musical and visual artists will meet for only a few rehearsals in the days before The March to practice and polish a performance to remember.
“We have an amazing opportunity to perform for potentially millions of people and take part in the commemoration of one of the most crucial moments in the LGBTQ rights movement,” said LGBA President Cliff Norris. “The massed LGBA marching band and color guard are sure to have a memorable impact as they pass by the historic Stonewall Inn 50 years from the moment that launched decades of activism.”
The Board of Directors has tapped Robb Blackwell as the event manager for the WorldPride massed band. He helmed efforts for LGBA appearances in the 2009 and 2013 Presidential Inaugural Parades.
In the coming weeks, organizers from LGBA will work to choose artistic leaders, secure hotel and rehearsal space, register participants and settle all the other details required to assemble a band of this scale. Members of LGBA bands will be notified of updates through our usual internal communication channels. For direct email updates, interested members can sign up for the LGBA WorldPride NYC/Stonewall50 email list below.
LGBA connects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender musicians with community bands around the world. Whether marching or playing a concert, we embody our core values of LGBT music, visibility and pride. Each LGBA band is a source of pride within its city, as well as a positive symbol for the global LGBT community.
