BY MATT TRACY
A dedicated bunch braved
the elements in southern
Brooklyn on May 30 and
marched along the Riegelmann
Boardwalk to commemorate
the fi fth annual edition of
Brighton Beach Pride.
The march, which was held
virtually last year due to the
pandemic, returned to its usual
format: It kicked off in Coney Island
and proceeded east on the
mostly-deserted boardwalk on
a wet and rainy Sunday afternoon.
RUSA LGBT, a Russian
LGBTQ organization based
in the area, led the march and
concluded the event with a brief
rally on the boardwalk.
In previous years, the
march drew some curious
looks from some of the spectators
who encountered the
march — though there have
also been supporters clapping
along. This time around, with
the boardwalk largely emptied
COURIER L 30 IFE, JUNE 11-17, 2021
out, some of the few onlookers
recorded video on their
phones and others stopped to
watch. As usual, people at different
points of the march applauded
in solidarity.
“Brighton Beach is changing
very slowly, but they know
we are here,” said lead organizer
Lyosha Gorshkov.
After fi ve years of Brighton
Beach Pride, Gorshkov
believes locals are starting to
realize that there is a queer
presence in the neighborhood.
“They know we exist,”
he said. “All of a sudden, homophobia
has been exposed in
Brighton Beach — and that’s
the major achievement.”
Others who participated in
the march conveyed the signifi
cance of Brighton Beach
Pride — especially given that
it focuses on the experience of
queer immigrants, including
those who have been driven
from their home countries because
The annual Brighton Beach Pride March takes place on the Riegelmann Boardwalk along Brooklyn’s southern
coast. Photo by Matt Tracy
of their sexual orientation
or gender identity.
“I know how hard it is for
LGBTQI people in Russia,” said
one attendee named Poulina,
who lives in Queens. “I was so
glad to fi nd out that there are
Russians who live here in New
York. I feel like the weather
wouldn’t stop anyone anyway.”
The concluding rally featured
multiple speakers who
delivered remarks in both English
and Russian. Yelena Goltsman,
another lead organizer of
the annual festivities, stood up
on a boardwalk bench and explained
that RUSA LGBT has
helped raise money for people
in need. That kind of assistance,
Goltsman said, is critical
for immigrants who arrive
to the United States without the
resources they need.
Following the demonstration,
folks turned on some music
and mingled on the boardwalk
across from Tatiana’s
Restaurant. It was not a large
crowd and the weather was not
ideal, but those who did attend
demonstrated that there is an
appetite for an annual Pride
event in the neighborhood.
“It’s a great turnout and
it doesn’t even matter how
many,” Gorshkov said. “It’s
not the quantity. It’s the quality.”
Pride rains!
Brighton Beach Pride returns
to Riegelmann Boardwalk
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