Pride Month is as much of a New York City staple as Broadway and the Statue of Liberty. The month-long celebration started in Greenwich Vilage over 50 years ago as a tribute to the Stonewall Riots — each year, it honors the trials and triumphs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) communities. While last year’s theme, “The Fight Continues,” seemed more like a reminder, this year’s “Unapologetically Us'' is a declaration.

Rockefeller Center is commemorating the occasion and celebrating in solidarity with its annual campus-wide fête. Along with Pride art installations across campus, Rockefeller Center is decorated in technicolor with rainbow pathways on Center Plaza and Pride flags around The Rink and the Weather Room at Top of The Rock.

Pride flags on display around Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace at The Rink

Programming includes Pride-specific lineups at Flipper’s at The Rink and Pride-themed podcast episodes by Sundays at Café Tabac recorded right in Newsstand Studios. The month’s celebrations culminate on June 24, where the Love Above All Ball makes its much-anticipated return to the Rainbow Room. The black tie affair will kick off Pride weekend and benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a non-profit that raises funds for social programs across the United States.

Retailers at Rockefeller Center are also joining in and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with special food and fashion tributes to raise money for the Ali Forney Center, Hetrick-Martin Institute, and more. Participating shops and restaurants can be identified by custom vinyl decals with special QR codes.

Take a look at some of the highlights below, and be sure to check out Rockefeller Center’s calendar of events for all participating retailers and the full Pride Month itinerary.

Beatnic

Beatnic partnered with New York-based company Big Gay Ice Cream to create its first vegan collection — and the flavors are just as unique as they are. My Caramel Romance is a chocolate soft-serve with chunks of chocolate brownie, chocolate chips, and salted caramel swirls. Over the Rainbow is a soft-serve twist of pineapple and raspberry covered in rainbow sprinkles. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Ali Forney Center.

FAO Schwarz

Barbie’s first transgender doll is now available at FAO Schwarz. As part of the Barbie Tribute Collection, a line that celebrates those who’ve helped shape and impact culture, the doll honors four-time Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox.

Fuku

Fuku puts a new spin on its classic chicken sando with the Pride Sando, featuring a special rainbow slaw. Eaten on its own or with a meal, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Hetrick-Martin Institute, the nation’s largest and oldest organization serving LGBTQ+ youth.

Kule

Famous for its striped tees, Kule designed a special Pride collection that includes t-shirts and socks. The clothing brand will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Ali Forney Center.

Moleskine

The stationery giant Moleskine partnered with United Kingdom-based painter and illustrator Ashton Attzs to design special Pride Patches. Attzs’ work seeks to empower LGBTQ+ people and people of color on a global scale.

Pebble Bar

Pebble Bar is adding a special drink to its menu: the Friend of Dorothy cocktail. The drink is made with Dorothy Parker Rose Petal Gin, Combier, lime, and cranberry, and $2 of every purchase will go to the Ali Forney Center to help homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Learn more about the history of Pebble Bar.

The Shop at NBC Studios

The Shop at NBC Studios’ Pride collection features t-shirts, pins, socks, and candles; 10% of sales will benefit the Ali Forney Center.

Topics

Arts & Culture06.3.22
Arts & Culture06.3.22
6 Secret Spots You May Have Missed at Rockefeller Center
Shopping05.26.22
Shopping05.26.22
Meet Armando Cabral, Model Turned Men’s Footwear Entrepreneur
Arts & Culture05.24.22
Arts & Culture05.24.22
5 of the Best Places to Watch the Sunset in New York City
Events05.19.23
Events05.19.23
What to Do in New York City in June