Scenes from New York Gay Pride 1983

[@Alex.Almodovar]

I was a 18 year old gay boy living in the Bronx in 1983. My parents kicked me out on the street that year when I came out. They are Jehovahs witnesses and till this day we never reconciled. I had to find my own path and it was the gay community in the village that was there for me. I would lose so many wonderful friends to aids in the following 10 years. I survived and 55 years young today. Thanks for the memories to whoever posted this xxx

[@Groundedsquirrel]

Amor I grew up with a Jehovah's Witness mom. They are intolerant and I've seen it destroy lives. We are who we because of it, yeah, but what a confusing upbringing. The world needs more love, not less, right?

[@Alex.Almodovar]

Angela Ranzoni yes for sure. Only love can conquer hate. Stay safe and spread the love :)

[@carolyndarley1045]

So sorry about your parents. But you don't seem bitter at all. I wish you blessings and that the desires of your heart be fulfilled!!!

[@Leatherbro]

Keeping it real and being real, your parents were dead wrong for kicking you out of their house. If you know anything about the Jehovah's Witnesses, if you did any research on them, you would realize that they are more of a "cult" than a religion. It is a blessing to know that you survived and moved on with your life with a positive attitude. Your parents should have shown tolerance and unconditional love for their child but they failed you. Stay focused and keep a positive attitude and you will be okay. Good Luck

[@robertharris4100]

I was at Gay Pride that year as well, back when I was 19. My family was religious also. We never talked about my sexuality, but it still took a toll on our relationship. I wasn't kicked out, but I left home when my father looked at me like I was a piece of trash & told me he didn't like me. I was out of there a week later. I was working, so I wasn't forced to live in the streets.

[@kieranryan3178]

Important time in gay history considering what these people were up against , it's important we remember them with respect, rip to many of them

[@iwaoarai246]

thanks, Nelson.I was there my 1st gay parade in NYC. I still remember that day, so memorable and emotional and I am very lucky still here.

[@rcharlton1973]

Nelson should be recognized has the first vlogger ever. Miss him. Died way to early.

[@mrmikeyd2]

When it was really a gay pride parade and not a corporate gig with gay celebrities using it to build up their profiles,,,,,not a drag race float or World of Wonder in sight,,,,,and to think....Nelson created it all.....Ru Paul, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbados

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

Yeah thats the first thing i saw when i watched it....back then it was more about solidarity and community and now it is basically a show/production...I would have loved to have been there on that day...it is funny I spent a lot of time in NYC downtown in the summer of 83 before i went into the Army in late summer...i am hetro, but if i could go back i would have totally checked out that parade...

[@onelovedisco]

I came out in 1978, so seeing this just brings back so many memories.

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

I wonder how many died of AIDS....in this video.....love a lot of have the old stash look that you saw on gay men back in the day.....

[@domnubest]

How do you feel to be an old fag?

[@onelovedisco]

@@domnubest How does it feel to be an ignorant FU#K?

[@tatsf]

I was there somewhere in the Village during all of this! So grateful that Nelson got so much down on film. These were important years for the LGBTQ communities. My first Gay Pride Parade in NYC was in 75 and I had just turned 18. Spent the next years going to school in the NYC area and hanging out a lot in the Village. We were already aware of AIDS by the summer of 83, some of us since GRID in 81. Late 81 I lost my first friend to GRID. When this was filmed in 83 it had only been 14 short years since the Stonewall riots! So much had changed so quickly, and I have always felt so privileged to have come of age as a young gay pup in those magical years!

[@jairodominguez4523]

This film is pure gold, live in our memory those years of resistance

[@TJ-sr7dd]

This was my era my first partner in 82 I was 24yrs. old. I will be 61 in March. My first partner is five days younger than I both of us born the same month and year. I ran into him grocery shopping several months ago in our city he looks great the years has been kind to us both as we grow old gracefully. Seeing this video brought back a flood of memories. I am going to call my ex from my youth and invite him out to Dinner as a celebration of us both meeting each other decades ago and being bless to be middle age men when many of my generation was not as fortunate. This almost bring tears too my eyes and joy because do not take life for granted. I hope he is able too accept my invitation. During Major Holidays I get a text of warm wishes. We have not talked on phone since we change numbers. We said let's keep in touch so our birthdays is a good idea mine is on the 5th and his on 10th of March. We can set a date to celebrate in March looking forward. Many people do not have this opportunity in my opinion. 1983 meeting to 2019 face to face fellowship. Many of us loss so many friends in our youth because of the epidemics of the 80s and 90s. This video touch me so much.

[@cindypltnm]

T J when you learned of the virus. Were you cautious with dating further considering it was so prevalent in the gay community during those early years??

[@TJ-sr7dd]

@@cindypltnm Most certianly, I am a Survivor as well as many many of my brothers and sisters of my generation. God has protected me,given me love an support then and currently 34 yrs. Later. I am bless too have both of my married senior parents who are mobile and in their right mind. God has provided and given me his favor . I will be 61 yrs.old in a few days back then I thought it could had been me. I my generation we lost friends and family in our youth it was devastating and some people never recover from it unfortunately having survivor's guilt. Why did I escape I used too say to myself in my 20s and 30s,40s Whem I turned 50 yrs. Old I couldn't believe I made it. Having people celebrating me for making a mile stone in my journey of life. Now will be 61yrs. Old in 4 days. God's favor there is Power in the name of my lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has preserve me over the years. I am told I look like I am in my late 40s. Praise God. Honor thy mother and thy father so thy days shall belong upon the Earth. I am a witness to his word and living testimony. Have Faith ......people God can do anything give your burdens to him .

[@shawnalynn5198]

This is so sweet and happy belated birthday 💖 you sound like such a warm and caring soul!

[@eduardofagundes4793]

It's been 3 months you posted that comment. Did you call him? How was it? Xoxo

[@jairodominguez4523]

Congratulations

[@Cat-es9op]

Much, much, absolutely respect for all of the, for everything they did for us, for humanity, to recognice that joy and love are the most important

[@normanduke8855]

Rollarina !!! 5:10 famous, rollerskating through Times Square at noon, blessing everybody with her magic wand.

[@sherry1253]

I keep telling the youth in my life about these videos- They are truly something to see and appreciate- I would have loved to know Nelson.

[@judynblackwell]

This was so powerful to watch

[@RaymondTVinyl]

That was really great. And that was a really big parade for its time.

[@gogosegaga]

i wish i was there. its all so beautful and poetic through the lens of nelsons camera

[@arturomarin8952]

My mom's uncle got infected with HIV in the late 80s and died in 1990 seeing old photos of him is pretty sad knowing the physical changes and weight loss he went through

[@tonisalvador5753]

😢

[@Mr_LMT_93]

awful :(

[@US_ARMY_25_INF._DIV.]

I wonder how many died of AIDS....in this video.....love a lot of have the old stash look that you saw on gay men back in the day.....

[@munakay6914]

You guys think nelson had AIDS?

[@ColdSid]

@@munakay6914 doubt it

[@Renee-zx2lo]

“You gotta get out the closet” Nelson: oh I’m out of the closet 😂 love him

[@davidbustamante3816]

True pioneers! we cannot let our guard down.Great video.

[@rubensdelrey3894]

I love to see your videos, Nelson... Thank's a lot!!

[@groovymovie84]

It's scary to think how many of these people were "sick" already here without even knowing it. If you were unsafe like many were, it was most definitely a death sentence. I'm sure that one guy with the American flag in the beginning didn't make it past 1985. He already looked unwell and strung out on top of it.

[@mss4822]

god hated them 4 sure

[@melissaonorati2243]

@@mss4822 God loves everyone but he hates their sin of Homosexuality; God says in 1 Corinthians ch 6 verse 9- 10 " do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor Idolaters, Nor Homosexuals, nor Thieves, Nor liars, nor swindlers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God but you were washed, justfied, sanctified by our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God".

[@munky9284]

@@melissaonorati2243 God didn't say that...MAN said that...the bible is written by men and is BS

[@jazzk708]

Are u talking about aids?

[@TheHolyMongolEmpire]

M SS on that idiot logic, god must hate elderly people too for creating the coronavirus. Religion is so fucking stupid.

[@eduardofagundes4793]

Being gay on the 70s and 80s was so much fun. It's a shame that hiv came to destroy the party

[@plumisland1070]

Thank you Nelson and thank you to the participants in this gay pride parade and all others. Thank you for fostering an environment of personal freedom for those who are gay and those who do not consider themselves as such. We, as a society, are indebted to you. Again, thank you.

[@garethhook9972]

A lot of people on here were sick but did not know they were very sad

[@thadtuiol1717]

I don't know about America, but in London the long, hot summer of 1983 (unusual for the UK!) was the last time that people in this community could still party like it was the 70s and ignore the growing health crisis. By 1984, no one could do that anymore.

[@PammyTrump]

Because the Tahtcer's laws or for aids crisis?

[@manmelt4037]

Look at these boys at 2:44! I love that early 80’s fashion.

[@SusieSynth]

I do too! So fun and chic.

[@Texaslawhorn]

Short shorts should always be in style!

[@nychris2258]

That shirtless dude in the beginning was hella aggressive propositioning Nelson like that.

[@YeahNah100]

I love how Nelson handled it. Smooth and with charming grace. Such a lovely man he was.

[@mysteryman2219]

1:50 is how I pictured what every gay guy looked like/acted like before i did research.

[@runcisrenats1]

sad HIV time, so sorry about them

[@Igbogadi]

This is so beautiful.

[@Kiro6666]

That’s right wishing all the iconic beautiful people a great journey to the afterlife I tell you what we don’t have to be a ball runway to be iconic superstar we are all iconic superstars remember and never forget it guy’s

[@bellebslife6504]

I notice there were many gay men at the parade, but hardly any gay woman. Also, people hardly cursed back then. Not like today. Everything is f-ing this or that these days. I was 12 back then.

[@charliecarson8834]

The video is barely 10 minutes of a parade that went on for at least six hours. There were a lot of women in the parade. I was there.

[@Prophezora]

Because lesbian isnt as sexy

[@Kiro6666]

Beautiful beautiful video I can’t wait for this year’s pride festival I’ve been going to pride festival every time I can but in the 80’s until the 90’s I never missed hanging out with friends it was epic journey that I will take again and I tell you what I’ll see if I can save people from the AIDS Epidemic

[@lasktdave]

I was there then.

[@Akenaten1]

This has to be his earliest video. only video in 83. Everything else is after this

[@ir2841]

It was the year when I had my very first gay feelings I can remember. I was 5 years old.

[@bilebily294]

Lol

[@trudesoto7807]

Good for them back then! Very brave. Looking at this footage, I miss the NYC parade like this....more of a rough , block party. Now, it's televised (cable) and All the Real Housewives fight to get a seat on the float. Progress and acceptance always includes a bit of commercialism.

[@troysierra5228]

Born in 1967. I was 16 yrs old that year. That year was also my first pride on the Westcoast. Back then, it was about the diversity in both sexes. It was about being sexy in your own sexuality. It was about turn ons, flaunting it, and unashamedly being your true authentic self. With lots of eye candy around. Making you feel the norm. Our existence... Fast forward to today's pride. Products and consumerism sponsors my sexuality. Wearing a rainbow costume replaces authenticity. Everything outside, replaces the realm. Climate, politics, churches...

[@Kiro6666]

We most definitely remember the people that went on there journey to the afterlife remember all the beautiful friends and family and people I didn’t get to meet I walk for them until I can’t do it anymore I tell you what live embrace life

[@leorodriguez1881]

Crazy realizing there was little to no music playing during the parade

[@tailsprowerfan2729]

Back when they let kids be kids the movement isn’t the same like it was back then

[@greensprite6067]

back when you could support the LGBTQ without being called a social justice warrior

[@9852323]

And there was no “Q”

[@Musistics]

6:11 Ru with baton. Wow.

[@Costa998]

Love this

[@jimd8292]

That shirtless dude is like so many people I knew in boston

[@NeilR4960]

At 1:26 did the old man proposition?

[@ericlopez9107]

In 1983 was NYC the only major city having gay pride parade?? Maybe San Francisco as well

[@possibleworldjourney6356]

Now it's São Paulo

[@troysierra5228]

LA was having pride parades!

[@turi319]

Eric Lopez Houston had its first gay pride in 1979

[@govmia]

Ft lauderdale has always had Pride parades

[@TheYouTubeTeam]

Baltimore has been celebrating Pride since 1975.

[@discobean54]

5:13 Rollerina!!!! A fixture at Studio 👍

[@Musistics]

Plot Twist: Ru Paul IS Donna Summer.

[@billie44]

Wow gentrification Has changed everything

[@neeneelee1973]

majority of men in this video probably lost their lives, unfortunately!

[@StacheBigote]

It’s so weird seeing the city before I was born.

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

All the banderitas hanging over the street reminds me of the festival seasons back in my country.

[@thebobsmith1991]

Does anybody know, what is the name of the song at the end of the awesome footage of Gay Pride Ny1983?

[@maplebench173]

"Stout Hearted Men, " written by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II, was an early favorite among the gay choruses. In this marching song from "The New Moon" (1927), Robert (a French nobleman disguised as a common worker because of his revolutionary sympathies) exhorts the other men to join him in rebelling against the monarchy. Previews in Philadelphia 1927, opened on Broadway in 1928. A 2014 rendition by the South Wales Men's Choir: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qabZhnyCnLatmpo

[@mariekatherine5238]

How many in this clip are no longer with us from HIV/AIDS? One thing I notice is that you could actually take kids to this event, no old guy butt naked, twerking his junk in people’s faces.

[@theresalopez8675]

I need a bicycle like that. Oooooo, especially if it was powered by hot gay chocolate chip eating and producing bicycle engineering hunks lol

[@grayday5177]

1:24 omg did he say what I think he says??

[@gregg.380]

Yeah he did say what you thought he said.

[@Texaslawhorn]

Nelson showed a lot of patience with that guy.

[@weatherlicious]

Gay Pride Parade in Boston now a days is full of politicians, banks and companies....so sad.

[@cereal_milk5273]

So what are you saying not gay parades

[@weatherlicious]

@@cereal_milk5273 I don't think I wrote that. It was an observation I wanted to share.

[@jbak87]

True. It's been hijacked by straight people to virtue signal.

[@Musistics]

14 seconds in that is Ru in disguise. Child please.

[@martinalbert1910]

Gay Men's Chorus !!

[@Musistics]

2:01 Ru skating in disguise. Too funny!

[@dinspringstead6636]

Just before that damn AIDS crisis that alot of us lost so many to.

[@Musistics]

3:05 Ru Dancing in disguise. WTH?

[@meetmeinva]

what street/neighborhood is this?

[@TheHolyMongolEmpire]

Looks like Greenwich Village and there’s also a shot of Washington Square Park.

[@SicilianStealth]

Christopher Street, West Village.

[@guywalker29]

West Side Highway, now dubbed Joe DiMaggio Highway, you can see a grey building on the corner of Christopher, The (notorious) Ramrod.

[@Kiro6666]

Beautiful 1983 extravaganza done very well I tell you what

[@laurensmith9579]

What song are they singing?

[@pb4595]

Stouthearted Men (from the Broadway Musical The New Moon)

[@AlGibani123]

half of them are dead

[@mikeyjeanson]

0:44

[@Muqurbert]

Bro modern pride festival s look so goofy compared to this one

[@merfwriter]

I was a baby in 1983.

[@Texaslawhorn]

December '82 baby here

[@merfwriter]

@@Texaslawhorn i was born in 1982 too. I'm just saying we were still infants/toddlers in 1983.

[@SicilianStealth]

Rollarina

[@alexie1119]

yes

[@ТатьянаСысак-м9ь]

Да, очень много счастливых, красивых и накаченых парней!! Даже гимн какой то поют! А сколько таких счастливчиков умерло в 80-90 от СПИДА?? Вот это преславутая талерантность! В России погибали от бандитский разборок, а в Штатах от СПИДа и вседозволенности! Простите!

[@THEARTURLIVE]

Причем тут болезнь и вседозволенность. Если туберкулёз подхватишь, так теперь вообще не дышать и ни с кем не разговаривать. Как можно быть такой глупой 🙄

[@melissaonorati2243]

Can anybody tell me if the rainbow flag was used in the gay parades in the 80's?

[@mrmikeyd2]

no

[@PammyTrump]

No one, the rainbow flag for the gays of 80's are so much coloreted, the gays have pink rainbow, in these days the pink are the gays color not rainbow.

[@kleve_1]

wow

[@Musistics]

8:09 Ru in geeky glasses.

[@marcioferreira649]

so nice! I was 12 y.old!!

[@pb4595]

1983 : What do we want ? Gay rights ! 2022 : What do we want ? Gender neutral pronouns !

[@Bthe312]

😥

[@murtithinker7660]

gay, okay, but why the nakedness and obscenity? We straight folks don't have to expose ourselves in the public.

[@gaboltl]

That’s their way to get attention and cope with insecurities and anxiety.

[@murtithinker7660]

@@gaboltl Yeah. That is crazy. Some are even showing their private parts and surgery on youtube in the name of trans. Who the hell exposes his own body like that? And they think we can go back to those channels?

[@terryrollins1973]

Does your wife know you have men over in the garage late at night? 🌙

[@cjm38]

Great, then don't. Nobody's asking you to "expose" yourself. Why do you care if some people "expose" themselves. Worry about your self. Also, nobody cares if you're Okay with gays. We don't need your permission or acceptance.

[@PammyTrump]

the first years of 1980's was very good for gays, the gays have very free in NY and San Francisco, in this gay parade are all 100% gays, including viewers.

[@rodomirvasilevski4353]

🤢🤢🤮🤮

[@natassia43]

It’s beautiful to see how far Gay rights has come. Those days it was truly sickening how much they were isolated based on their happiness