By Paul Sanders

June is considered the “official” Pride Month in the United States (and a lot of the world) since it was the month of the Stonewall Riots in 1969. The Riots, which are universally credited as the start of the modern LGBT rights movement happened at the end of the month, but there is so many days, that one could really attend a LGBT Pride event just about every day of the month in the NYC area.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that New York City’s 1st Pride of the Month is always in its smallest borough – Staten Island! SI Pride is traditionally held on the 1st Saturday of the month, besting its bigger brother, Queens Pride by 24 hours!

That’s right!, Staten Island – a place that is usually thought to be super conservative and a hot bed of Republicans. Well hold onto your hats, LGBT Pride and the LGBT Community is very much alive, well and flourishing in Richmond County (SI).

2013 is the 9th Annual Staten Island Pride Parade & Festival. What started off as a stroll down the boardwalk at Midland Beach on the South Shore of the Island and a small festival is now a full blown parade on Victory Boulevard & Bay Street in Tompkinsville & St. George, passing right in front of the Staten Island LGBT Community Center (25 Victory Blvd – Floor 3). “The Center” is the parent organization of SI Pride and welcomes any and all help for Pride 2014 – Its 10th anniversary!

This year the Pride Parade is being led by its Grand Marshals, The True Colors Youth Chorus – a fantastic ensemble of about a dozen vocal talents. The parade will also have the NY Sirens Women’s Motorcycle Club, The FDNY, various politicians and community groups and past SI Pride Grand Marshals march to show the strength and power of the Staten Island LGBT Community.

The Festival has so many talented performers, hosted by “Jersey’s Barbi” – Kendra Maserati. Kit Yan, Soce The Elemental Wizard and Donna Maxon, world renown Bette Midler impersonator will perform as well as many other acts. Also at the Festival, Community Information Tables will be set up by local organizations and services and good will be offered and available for purchase.

It’s not too late to plan a trip to Staten Island for the 1st Pride in NYC in 2013. The easiest way to get there…..Staten Island Ferry to St. George Terminal, go out, hang a left and you won’t be able to miss the fun and frivolity!

Hope to see you there!