TL;DR
- Luke Evans lit the Empire State Building for NYC Pride.
- The lighting honors LGBTQ+ youth and advocates.
- Evans emphasized visibility and acceptance.
- The event supports The Trevor Project’s mission.
- Pride celebrations commemorate the Stonewall uprising.
Pride Month in New York City closed with a dazzling display as the one and only Luke Evans took center stage to light up the iconic Empire State Building in the vibrant colors of the Inclusive Pride Flag. This dazzling ceremony, held on Sunday evening, was not just a pretty light show; it was a powerful moment celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride and sending a heartfelt message to LGBTQ+ youth everywhere.
Joining Evans were leaders from The Trevor Project and the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, who helped flip the switch to bathe one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks in rainbow hues. Talk about a glow-up! This annual lighting event has been a proud tradition since 1990, when advocates successfully campaigned for the Empire State Building to recognize the LGBTQ+ community. Fast forward more than three decades, and it remains one of NYC’s most visible and cherished Pride traditions.
Evans, who is currently dazzling audiences as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54, was accompanied by his adorable dog, Lala, and a few key figures in the LGBTQ+ advocacy scene, including Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, and Stacy Lentz, CEO and co-founder of the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. The night was all about love, acceptance, and, of course, some seriously stunning visuals.
In his speech during the ceremony, Evans highlighted the importance of visibility and acceptance. “It’s about humanity coming together and allowing us all to live a happy, free, joyful life. The Empire State Building — this iconic New York landmark — celebrating Pride sends such a positive, unifying message, not just to New York, but to the world,” he declared, and honestly, can we get an amen?
The ceremony also served as a platform to amplify the mission of The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. Jaymes Black addressed the crowd, sending a powerful message directly to LGBTQ+ youth watching from New York and beyond: “We are sending a clear message to all LGBTQ+ young people: that there is a community showing up for them. That there are people fighting for them. That we will not rest until you know — not just that you are loved — but that your dreams, all of them, are fully yours to claim.” Talk about a glow-up for the soul!
As the lights shone brightly across the Manhattan skyline, it was a reminder of New York City’s pivotal role in LGBTQ+ history. The annual Pride celebrations commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising, which is widely recognized as the spark that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Today, NYC Pride remains one of the largest and most vibrant Pride celebrations globally, drawing millions of visitors and honoring the activists who paved the way for progress.
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The Empire State Building is known for changing its tower colors to recognize various causes, holidays, and cultural milestones throughout the year, but its annual Pride display holds a special place in the hearts of many. It’s a symbol of celebration and resilience, visible across much of New York City, reminding us all of the ongoing journey toward acceptance and equality.
As the rainbow lights illuminated the skyline, the evening served as more than just a colorful photo opportunity. It was a heartfelt reminder that Pride is both a celebration of how far we’ve come and a commitment to supporting future generations of LGBTQ+ people. So here’s to Luke Evans, The Trevor Project, and everyone who stands up for love and acceptance — the world is indeed brighter because of you!