NYC & Company Highlights Pride Week As The Focal Point of It's Rainbow Pilgrimage' Campaign Honoring The 40th Anniversary of Stonewall

New York, New York (Vocus) -- NYC & Company, New York City's marketing, tourism and partnership organization, prepares for a week-long celebration of jubilant locals and visitors during this summer's Gay Pride Week (www.nycgo.com/gay), which kicks off tomorrow and runs through June 28. The theme surrounding this year's list of events is "Paint the Town Ruby - Stonewall 40" in an effort to commemorate the milestone that is the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which took place in the West Village. The 1969 demonstration stands as a defining moment in time as when gays and lesbians instigated the activation of the gay rights movement.

"We are honored to welcome gay supporters to New York City's borough-wide celebration of gay rights, gay pride (www.nycgo.com/gay) and gay history," said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. "2009 stands as a landmark year for tolerance within the gay and lesbian community and NYC Pride Week is the perfect way to commemorate the City's broadminded outlook."

NYC & Company's yearlong 'Rainbow Pilgrimage' campaign kicked off last April with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to salute gay pride and provide NYC residents and visitors a list of opportunities to participate in community celebrations. This year's Pride Week will showcase a number of rallies, marches, barbeques, tours and parades throughout the City. NYC & Company's first Pride Survival Guide (www.nycgo.com/gay), found on NYCGO.com, offers helpful tips from well-known members of New York City's gay community as well as a listing of events taking place during Pride Week and beyond. Highlighted activities over the next nine days include the NYC LGBT Pride Rally at Bryant Park and the Bushwick LGBTQ Pride and Solidarity March & BBQ on June 20, art shows and theater performances in the East Village and Lower East Side for Pride Goes East, beginning June 22, the First Annual Village Pride Bar Tour on June 27, and the Heritage of Pride's renowned LGBT Pride March, running from Fifth Avenue down to Christopher and Greenwich Streets, culminating on June 28, the anniversary date of Stonewall.

New York City also serves as home to several cultural locations and landmarks open year-round with a direct link of contributions from feminist icons, gay role models and heterosexual gay advocates who work in the arts. Notable institutions include the Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island, the Brooklyn Academy of Art and Leslie/Lohman Gay Art Foundation in SoHo.

For more information on gay history, access to NYC's Pride Survival Guide and 'Rainbow Pilgrimage' special offers visit www.nycgo.com/gay.

About NYC & Company

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide.

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