Flatiron NoMad Partnership Unveils Month-Long Pride Celebration

Flatiron NoMad Partnership Unveils Month-Long Pride Celebration

In June, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will kick off “Start With Love,” a month-long celebration of LGBTQIA+ visibility and community, culminating in a district-led tribute at the annual NYC Pride March in Flatiron & NoMad

Longtime home to pioneering LGBTQIA+ activist groups, Flatiron has marked the starting point of the iconic Heritage of Pride March at 26th Street and 5th Avenue since 1970

New York, NY (May 28, 2025) – The Flatiron NoMad Partnership today announced the launch of Start With Love: PRIDE in Flatiron NoMad, the district’s most expansive Pride celebration to date. Taking place throughout the month of June, the series of free community programming will amplify local voices and spotlight LGBTQIA+ businesses, artists, and performers, through public displays and art installations, pop-up performances and the official NYC Pride March.

The Flatiron and NoMad districts have been central to the LGBTQIA+ movement for over 55 years. Serving as the starting point of the iconic NYC Pride March, the two neighborhoods carry a legacy as home to early advocacy groups like the Mattachine Society, one of the first LGBTQIA+ organizations in the U.S., which launched its fight against discrimination from a Flatiron office in 1959, notably sharing space and solidarity with the pioneering lesbian rights group, the Daughters of Bilitis.

“We’re proud to present Start With Love: PRIDE in Flatiron NoMad, a month-long celebration honoring the vibrancy and diversity of our community and as the starting point of the iconic NYC Pride March,” said James Mettham, President of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. “Throughout the month, the district will come alive with vibrant art that invites our community to come together in the spirit of expression. It’s an honor to provide a platform for LGBTQIA+ local voices and to welcome both neighbors and visitors to experience the dynamic community we’re proud to support. We’re excited to partner with Heritage of Pride to kick-off the NYC Pride March right here in the heart of Flatiron & NoMad.”

On June 29, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will honor the district’s deep-rooted legacy as the NYC Pride March steps off from 26th Street and Fifth Avenue. In partnership with Heritage of Pride, and in tribute to the neighborhood’s enduring ties to the LGBTQIA+ community, the day will begin with a festive neighborhood kick-off celebration, inviting everyone to cheer, sing, and celebrate as the march gets underway.

“NYC’s Pride March is one of the largest LGBTQIA+ demonstrations in the world, and we’re thrilled to kick it off in one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods,” said NYC Pride Media & Marketing Manager Kevin Kilbride. “We’re excited to join with Flatiron’s vibrant businesses and neighbors as we begin our march in solidarity, advocacy, and celebration.”

Neighborhood Public Art Displays and Promotions

Throughout the month, Flatiron and NoMad will come alive with Pride-inspired public displays and art installations that celebrate the creativity of the LGBTQIA+ community, including:

• SPOTLIGHT LGBTQIA+ BUSINESSES: The Flatiron NoMad Partnership will spotlight LGBTQIA+-owned businesses in the district, including Maison 10, an art gallery and concept retail boutique; Souk Studio yoga studio; MALIN + GOETZ, apothecary and perfumery featuring award-winning skincare, fragrances and candles; and Arrive Wellness, a multifunctional wellness space—each offering exciting products during Pride month and all year round.
• SUMMER PHOTO FRAME: From June 2 through the entire summer, strike a pose under the newly installed Pride-themed photo opp designed by Molly Gambardella on the Flatiron North Plaza, perfectly framing your shot to feature the iconic Flatiron Building in the background.  
• FIFTH AVENUE CUSTOM PROJECTION: Beginning on June 3, a striking light projection by local LGBTQIA+ artist Nick Silvestri will take center stage in Flatiron, transforming the facade of 224 Fifth Avenue into a radiant canvas of color and expression that serves as both a visual focal point and the anchor of the district’s broader celebration.
• PRIDE POPPING UP IN THE DISTRICT: From June 2 through June 30, the neighborhood’s streets, planters and plazas will also feature Pride flags and themed decor on Broadway, Park Avenue South, and additional public spaces throughout the district.   
• RAINBOW LEADS THE WAY: Beginning on June 16 through June 30, discover vibrant street art by artist Ponnapa Prakkamakul at the pedestrian extensions of Broadway & 28th Street—a colorful surprise with every step.
• PRIDE GLOW: From June 2 through June 30, the Flatiron Public Plazas will shine with custom Pride lighting to illuminate summer nights—including new installations in the North Plaza and vibrant displays in the South Plaza. During NYC Pride March weekend (June 27–29), buildings across the district will light up in bold, beautiful Pride colors, including The New York EDITION, Royalton Park Avenue, and more.

Local Performances

As part of the district-wide Pride celebration, the neighborhoods will spotlight local LGBTQIA+-owned businesses and host pop-up musical performances outside their storefronts along with partners Make Music New York, a citywide initiative that hosts local pop-up concerts across NYC. 

• On June 21, Flatiron NoMad Partnership will spotlight LGBTQIA+-owned musicians with live performances from local artists to ignite spirits in the district. In collaboration with Make Music New York, Flatiron and NoMad will feature a series of pop-up performances at the district’s LGBTQIA+-owned stores, including Maison 10, MALIN + GOETZ, and SOUK Studio, as well as on the Flatiron North Plaza. The free, public performances will take place on Saturday, June 21 throughout the day from 11:00AM-7:00PM at participating storefronts and between the hours of 1:00PM-3:00PM on the public plaza.

NYC Pride March

Heritage of Pride’s legendary NYC Pride March will kick off on Sunday, June 29 from the heart of Flatiron and NoMad—the longtime home of the march’s iconic starting line and Grandstand seating.

• Each year, the NYC Pride March begins with a Moment of Silence to recognize members of the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrate its resiliency. This year, for the first time, the district will introduce a new tradition: as a complement to the Moment of Silence, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will welcome everyone to participate in a neighborhood kick-off Moment of Celebration to launch the march with a bang. Community members and revelers will be invited to cheer, sing, and raise Flatiron NoMad Partnership-branded noisemakers in a joyful show of solidarity as the march begins.
• The Flatiron NoMad Partnership will join leaders from Heritage of Pride and NYC officials to officially launch the celebration. 

The Flatiron NoMad Partnership’s Pride programming affirms the district’s identity as a place where inclusivity and community thrive, not just during Pride Month but all year long. Through annual public programs like Día de Muertos Week, Winter Glow, and other cultural moments, the district elevates the voices and contributions of its diverse community members, offering a welcoming space for visitors, residents, and business owners. Rooted in a rich history of activism and community-building, the neighborhood continues to serve as a hub for visibility, love, and solidarity. The Flatiron NoMad Partnership actively builds on that legacy through events, partnerships and programming that celebrate resilience, foster inclusivity, and create lasting impact for everyone who calls the district home.

For more information and updates on Pride events and programming in the Flatiron and NoMad neighborhoods, visit the Flatiron NoMad Partnership website HERE or follow along on social media for live event updates at @FlatironNY.

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About The Flatiron NoMad Partnership

The Flatiron NoMad Partnership, formed in 2006, is a non-profit organization and business improvement district that serves the businesses, people, and places that help make Flatiron and NoMad two of Manhattan’s most iconic and authentic destinations. Home to a range of retailers and employers, cultural and educational institutions, and a thriving residential community, the district is a center of activity. The Partnership serves as a dedicated steward and supporter of public life in the district by maintaining a clean and safe environment; spearheading area improvement projects; and marketing and championing the diverse business and retail options in this vibrant and historic neighborhood.

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