NYC Pride presents Human Rights Conference, Rally

New York events bring activists, speakers, and more together in a virtual format for everyone.

NYC Pride is pleased to present the Human Rights Conference in its fourth consecutive year from June 21 through June 23, and the Rally on Friday, June 25. The Human Rights Conference, NYC Pride’s annual symposium of transformative changemakers in the queer community, focuses on developing new ideas and approaches to activism and community. Over the course of the three days, guests will experience a virtual gathering to explore the many intersections of the LBGTQIA+ community’s continued fight for equity and justice. Following the Human Rights Conference later in the week, the Rally will bring together community activists, organizers, artists and more at a time when conversation, education and activism is needed most.

“This year’s events will touch on a wide variety of topics and subjects,” said Samantha Johnson, Event Manager for the Human Rights Conference and the Rally. “In particular, we’re delighted to be working in partnership with Native Son at this year’s Human Rights Conference to amplify the voices of queer/LGBTQIA+ black men in film, TV, and entertainment. In addition, we’re continuing our amplification of queer music with a spotlight on Trannilish and Ms.Boogie. We’re also expanding our partnership with Friedman Transgender Program by creating space for 3 days of health. ‘Health Track’ will reflect on NYC LGBTQ+ experiences with COVID-19 over the last year and its effect on the community, amidst evolving NYC and CDC guidelines as well as ongoing vaccine access and hesitancy concerns;.”

This year’s Human Rights Conference introduces a series of exclusive interactive Masterclasses, where guests join experts and tastemakers in the field of activism, fashion, culture, queer history, and more to share insight and expertise through live seminars. Powered by NYC Pride’s sponsors and community partners, these classes offer viewers a chance to learn and interact with presenters representing LGBTQIA+ excellence in their fields.

Following daily masterclasses, guests move to the conference’s Mainstage for panels on topics affecting the queer community- from queer BIPOC collective power, activism in nightlife, political representation, mental health, wellness, and much more. These speaker-facilitated, open conversations focus on driving dialogue and connecting communities around a particular topic rather than offering a structured presentation. Access to Mainstage digital content, including speaker-facilitated, open conversation that focuses on driving dialogue and connecting communities around a particular topic rather than offering a structured presentation, is available free of charge.

The historic, virtual Rally on Friday, June 25, from 6PM on NYC Pride’s Facebook and YouTube will be hosted by Hope Giselle and Brandon Wolf, joining activists from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to Rally together and take a stand against violence towards our community.

“Pride is and always has been a protest — a demand from the LGBTQ community to be valued, affirmed, and treated with the dignity and respect we deserve,” said host Brandon Wolf. “As we prepare to mark five years since the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub and continue to bring awareness to violence against the transgender community, I am honored to be joining NYC Pride to lift up the voices that most need to be heard.”

For more information about NYC Pride’s 2021 roster of events including Human Rights Conference and the Rally, visit: www.nycpride.org.