“It takes no compromise to give people their rights…it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression.”
—Harvey Milk (1930–1978, American politician and gay activist)

New York City hosted World Pride March to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, which launched the modern gay rights movement. Presented here are sights seen while walking through Greenwich Village, the heart and soul of the March, and has been for the gay community for decades. Discover LGBT history when you are part of Gay Village Walking Tour. Where there is a Keith Haring mural in the Village? Take the Tour; Know More!

“It always seemed to me a bit pointless to disapprove of homosexuality. It’s like disapproving of rain.”
—Baron Francis Maude (1953–present, British politician)

“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.”
—Jason Collins (1978–present, first openly gay athlete in U.S. pro sports)

“When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.”
—President Barack Obama (1961–present)

“The only queer people are those who don’t love anybody.”
—Rita Mae Brown (1944–present)

“So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.”
—Tim Cook (1960–present, CEO, Apple, Inc.)

“Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?”
—Ernest J. Gaines (1933–present, author)

“I’ve been embraced by a new community. That’s what happens when you’re finally honest about who you are; you find others like you.”
—Chaz Bono (1969–present, writer/actor)

“Somebody, your father or mine, should have told us that not many people have ever died of love. But multitudes have perished, and are perishing every hour—and in the oddest places!—for the lack of it.”
—James Baldwin (1924–1987, author)

“We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.”
—George Takei (1937–present, actor/author)

“Being gay is like glitter, it never goes away.”
—Lady Gaga (1986–present, singer/actress)

“Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges.”
—Bob Paris (1959–present, writer/actor)

“All of us who are openly gay are living and writing the history of our movement. We are no more—and no less—heroic than the suffragists and abolitionists of the 19th century; and the labor organizers, Freedom Riders, Stonewall demonstrators, and environmentalists of the 20th century. We are ordinary people, living our lives, and trying as civil-rights activist Dorothy Cotton said, to ‘fix what ain’t right’ in our society”
—U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (1962–present)

“Being gay is natural. Hating gay is a lifestyle choice.”
—John Fugelsang (1969–present, comedian)

“I’m living by example by continuing on with my career and having a full, rich life, and I am incidentally gay.”
—Portia de Rossi (1973–present, actress)

“I think being gay is a blessing, and it’s something I am thankful for every single day.”
—Anderson Cooper (1969–present, journalist)

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.”
—Harvey Fierstein (1954–present, actor/playwright)

“The single best thing about coming out of the closet is that nobody can insult you by telling you what you’ve just told them.”
—Rachel Maddow (1973–present, political commentator)

“Everyone has people in their lives that are gay, lesbian or transgender or bisexual. They may not want to admit it, but I guarantee they know somebody”
—Billie Jean King(1943–present, American tennis professional)

“My cousin’s gay, he went to London only to find out that Big Ben was a clock.”
—Rodney Dangerfield(1921–2004, American comedian)

“I think the fact that I’m so well known to be gay makes it very difficult to have a convincing relationship with a woman on screen. It wouldn’t be at all difficult for me to kiss a woman. I’ll kiss a frog if you like.”
—Stephen Fry(1957–present, British actor)

“I now realize that I am a gay man before anything else. Other gays may think they’re a Jew first, or black, or a banker, but I’m gay.”
—Larry Kramer(1935–present, American author/civil rights activist)

ALL PHOTOS AND TEXT, EXCEPT CREDITED QUOTES, © THE AUTHOR 2019