The official kickoff to Pride Month will take place this coming weekend with Sunday’s 26th Annual Queens Pride Parade in Jackson Heights, which celebrates the borough’s LGBTQ community, but also emphasizes togetherness and advocacy.

The parade was founded in 1992 by Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights)—who, at the time, was an openly gay public school teacher—in response to School District 24 President Mary Cummins’ refusal to adopt Board of Education curriculum that encouraged students to be accepting of LGBT people.

The march was also inspired by the death of Julio Rivera, a 29-year-old gay man who was murdered by white supremacists in Jackson Heights in 1990.

“The parade was always seen as a place where people can come out and see the LGBTQ community, and the community that supports them,” said Dromm.

The parade steps off at noon, beginning at 37th Avenue and 89th Street and then marching to 75th Avenue.

The festival, which consists of Queens Pride and Club Evolution stages that feature entertainment, will begin at 1:30 p.m. at 75th Street and 37th Road.

The event will include vendors, food, information on local businesses and community and social group booths.

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