scorecardMillions of people flocked to Manhattan for New York's annual LGBT Pride March - here are the best photos
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Millions of people flocked to Manhattan for New York's annual LGBT Pride March - here are the best photos

Tennis legend and LGBT activist Billie Jean King served as grand marshal of the NYC Pride March.

Millions of people flocked to Manhattan for New York's annual LGBT Pride March - here are the best photos

Some people came to Pride scantily-clad ...

Some people came to Pride scantily-clad ...

Source: Getty

... while others wore elaborate outfits that showcased their identities.

... while others wore elaborate outfits that showcased their identities.

Source: Getty

The LGBT community has made large strides since the first Pride parade in 1970, but it is still fighting for rights.

The LGBT community has made large strides since the first Pride parade in 1970, but it is still fighting for rights.

Source: Getty

Cynthia Nixon, a Democratic nominee for governor of New York, held hands with her wife Christine Marinoni during the march.

Cynthia Nixon, a Democratic nominee for governor of New York, held hands with her wife Christine Marinoni during the march.

The rainbow pride flag was ubiquitous at the parade.

The rainbow pride flag was ubiquitous at the parade.

The transgender pride flag was on display, too.

The transgender pride flag was on display, too.

The theme of this year's festivities was "Defiantly Different."

The theme of this year

Source: Getty

A couple of New York firefighters got engaged …

A couple of New York firefighters got engaged …

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... and the crowd cheered for the happy couple.

... and the crowd cheered for the happy couple.

Source: Getty

Attendance at past Pride parades in New York has reportedly been more than 2 million.

Attendance at past Pride parades in New York has reportedly been more than 2 million.

Source: Getty

New Yorkers of all stripes processed down the parade route, which spanned more than two dozen blocks between Chelsea and Greenwich Village.

New Yorkers of all stripes processed down the parade route, which spanned more than two dozen blocks between Chelsea and Greenwich Village.

Source: Getty

Participants honored LGBT icons and celebrities. Honorees at this year's parade included activist Victoria Cruz, local rapper Young MA, and Emma Gonzalez, a gun-control advocate and survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

Participants honored LGBT icons and celebrities. Honorees at this year

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The parade is a time when LGBT people can feel safe in public expressing themselves.

The parade is a time when LGBT people can feel safe in public expressing themselves.

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New York's first Pride March took place in 1970 as a response to the Stonewall riots of 1969, during which members of the LGBT community protested a violent police raid at a Greenwich Village gay bar.

New York

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The parade route goes right past Stonewall Inn, site of the riots, to honor the bar's legacy in the LGBT rights movement.

The parade route goes right past Stonewall Inn, site of the riots, to honor the bar

Source: Getty

On Sunday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled a memorial to honor the 49 people killed in the 2016 shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando.

On Sunday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled a memorial to honor the 49 people killed in the 2016 shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando.

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New Yorkers didn't have to be out on the street to enjoy the march.

New Yorkers didn

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Not everybody walked down the parade route. Some rode motorcycles down 5th Avenue ...

Not everybody walked down the parade route. Some rode motorcycles down 5th Avenue ...

Source: Getty

... and others drove in sleek convertibles.

... and others drove in sleek convertibles.

Others danced atop the parade floats.

Others danced atop the parade floats.

Many participants carried signs that referenced hot-button political issues, like the so-called 'bathroom laws' which dictate which restrooms transgender people may use.

Many participants carried signs that referenced hot-button political issues, like the so-called

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The growing number of participants forced organizers to change this year's parade route to stay on major roads, which can accommodate more people.

The growing number of participants forced organizers to change this year

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Organizers are expecting next year's Pride March — which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots — to be the most attended Pride ever.

Organizers are expecting next year

Source: Getty

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