NYRR Celebrates Pride Month 2025
The world is rich with diversity, which is reflected in the observances and recognitions celebrated by its various cultures, religions, and populations.
These are a few observances in June, from local to international:
Caribbean American Heritage Month
Immigrant Heritage Month
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Native American Citizenship Day
Juneteenth
LGBTQ+ Pride Day
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) pride. Pride Month honors LGBTQIA+ rights, celebrates LGBTQIA+ culture, and highlights the ongoing movement toward equality, diversity, and inclusiveness.
The 44th Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run takes place on June 28 in Central Park. An enduring collaboration among Front Runners New York, NYRR, and the City of New York, the Pride Run was first held in 1982. Come out and cheer in support of equality, diversity, and inclusiveness.
We look forward to celebrating with you this month!
About Front Runners New York
Front Runners New York is New York City’s premier LGBTQIA+ running and multisport club. Founded in 1979, the club has grown to over 1,200 members, the largest LGBTQIA+ running club in the world.
Galo Vasquez: Breaking the Tape and Breaking Barriers
As part of our LGBTQ+ Pride Month celebration, we are highlighting local NYC runners who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Galo Vasquez is one such runner whose talent and dedication to the sport led them to two major wins in just two months, breaking the tape at the RBC Brooklyn Half with a time of 1:13:18 and at the United Airlines NYC Half in March with a time of 1:11:19, completing both races as the top nonbinary runner.
Making a Difference in LGBTQIA+ Communities
NYRR and Front Runners New York have relationships with organizations that support LGBTQIA+ rights and help meet community needs.
Each year, Front Runners New York makes a donation to an LGBTQIA+ related nonprofit organization. This year's Pride Run beneficiary is Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. ("Lambda Legal"), a national organization working to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV, through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
Sofía Camacho Ferral Hopes to Bring More Visibility to Nonbinary and Trans Runners
When Sofía Camacho Ferral broke the tape at the 2024 RBC Brooklyn Half as the top nonbinary finisher, they also achieved a PR in the distance with a time of 1:14:06. “I was really excited when I turned the corner and realized I’d be breaking the tape! Even the PR was pleasantly unexpected.”
Everybody’s Welcome: The Story of Front Runners New York
In 2021, Front Runners New York and New Balance produced a video of the 40-year history of the Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run, its celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, and the ongoing movement toward equality, diversity, and inclusiveness.
Making NYC's LGBT Historic Sites Visible
New York City is home to hundreds of sites connected to LGBT history. The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project is a cultural heritage initiative that documents and presents the often untold stories of these sites. NYRR staff went on one of their walking tours of important LGBT historic sites in Manhattan’s West Village. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
The Importance of Trans and Nonbinary Acceptance
"Added visibility shows people that we exist. We've existed for a long time," says transgender runner Erika Kaiser. "And some of us like to run."
Running to Be Seen and Recognized
Kester Antiquina of Front Runners New York runs and races to "help people of all genders find common ground."
"I'm Someone Who Feels Marginalized When I Run"
Leesh Menard (they/them), 27, identifies as nonbinary trans with an agender microlabel. Leesh is a Ph.D. student at Columbia University and does research for the New York State Psychiatric Institute.