Nyack Celebrates Pride

The sun broke through for a bit this past Sunday, just in time to illuminate the small-town streets of Nyack. Lining the sloping, pedestrian filled roads were rainbows galore. Rainbows on babies, rainbows on dogs, rainbows on crinkled, smiling cheeks and rainbows donned as capes. Rockland was out and proud in the June humidity, and the mood was as bubbly as a freshly popped bottle of champagne.

Grace Foley of Nyack found herself particularly touched by the amount of families and children at the event. “It’s so special to see all of the kids just so free,” she said as behind her children in colorful shirts and shorts scribbled with pastel chalk along the sidewalks.

One tiny resident, who gracefully shared her birthday with the day, shared how “I just made a rainbow!” When asked why, she shared “I felt like I wanted to, and it’s Pride so I thought it would be good.”  Her father elaborated on his daughter’s thoughts on Pride, sharing how “[We’re] so happy to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community here in Rockland.” 

The feeling of community was stronger than the humidity, and the streets were completely packed. One resident Ace Halpern shared “I’ve been coming here for three years… it’s a great community and I love it a lot. It’s great to be able to have something where I can just show off and be queer,” said Halpern, regarding their friends and the array of people walking up and down Broadway. “Queer youth is super important, especially now and for the next four years.”

At the entrance of the Pride Parade motorcycles stood at attention, welcoming in parade-goers. Tucked into the handles were pride flags and signs declaring “We Are the Ones We have Been Waiting For”. These signs were a touching reminder of the many LGBTQ+ members who grew up searching for role models, only to find that they were the home they were searching for all along. Small children toddled amongst gangly teens, who spun around hyper-cool young adults who skipped past strolling senior LGBTQ+ members, presenting attendants with the full spectrum of the beauty and diversity of Rockland County’s LGBTQ+ community.

 This Community Editor couldn’t help but feel buoyed by the idea that the next generation would have many more role models than the one before. It was a welcome surprise to see the prevalence of churches proudly displaying signs advertising “All Are Welcome Here”, “Welcome Home” splayed across a rainbow banner, a Rabbi inviting folks to a Pride Shabbat, and a deacon with a Proud Mom shirt and a rainbow cross. People greeted friends and teachers, coworkers and neighbors, and most of all just enjoyed time well spent celebrating Pride in our own backyard (and a day without rain!).