STONEWALL 50/ WORLDPRIDE
WorldPride’s Closing Note of Love
In Times Square, Melissa Etheridge, Margaret Cho, Wilson Cruz embrace the vibe
BY KELSY CHAUVIN
How about love?
That was the question
that closed Stonewall
50/ WorldPride
2019 on Sunday, June 30, when
the curtain fell on the month-long
celebration and commemoration.
The offi cial Closing Ceremony
took over Duffy Square, a relatively
small area of Times Square
between 46th and 47th Streets,
known best for its red glass stairs.
There, attendees gathered to hear a
sparkling lineup of performers and
speakers — and Broadway stars, of
course.
Kicking off the evening was legendary
singer and LGBTQ icon Melissa
Etheridge, who sang a trio of
hits, including her always-powerful
“Come to My Window.” Between
songs, she spoke from the heart to
connect with an enthusiastic postparade
WIlson Cruz and Margaret Cho on stage at the Closing Ceremony of World Pride.
audience.
“If you had told me 26 years ago
when I came out that we’d be gathering
in Times Square with rainbows
everywhere, I would’ve said
‘Yeah!,’” said Etheridge. “Because
we are fi erce. And we will always
be fi erce. We are so fi erce, we made
KELSY CHAUVIN
it to the center of it all!”
The free 7 to 10 p.m. concert was
open to anyone who reserved for
gate entry. Still, attendance was
light compared to the millions of
marchers and spectators at the
Pride March still going on as the
Closing Ceremony. In fact, many
in attendance, including Etheridge
herself, had to depart the parade
early to make it to Times Square.
Along with parties around the city,
the closing concert also competed
with the blowout (and sold out)
Pride Island event on Pier 97 Sunday
night, with Madonna headlining.
Yet the energy was appropriately
high in Times Square, thanks in
part to host Margaret Cho. Donning
a rainbow-sequined bathing
suit that showcased her colorful
tattoos, Cho shared trademark levity
and sincerity with the night’s
revelers.
Cho introduced a festive lineup
of queer stars and allies. Among
them was an amped up Jake
Shears (of Scissor Sisters fame);
award-winning British pop and
R&B star MNEK; singer and activ-
➤ CLOSING CEREMONY, continued on p.32
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