29 Photos of Pride and Delight on a Summer Night in New York City

On Monday, June 24, The LGBT Community Center hosted the official kickoff to WorldPride: Garden Party. It welcomed over 1,500 guests to taste samples from more than 20 local restaurants, bars and cafes; enjoy seasonal cocktails and dance into the night on Hudson River Park's Pier 97. Guests also had the chance to meet the members of Garden Party's inaugural Culinary Council, a group of LGBTQ-identified chefs who are curating the menu for the evening in the spirit of The Center and WorldPride.

As an annual celebration that originated in 1984, Garden Party is one of New York City's longest-running Pride events. The Center originally created it as a way to bring LGBTQ people together to enjoy home-cooked food and celebrate community bonds, and it has since grown to intersect with the city's vibrant food scene, all while staying true to its roots as a space for LGBTQ New Yorkers to be nourished by the strength of the queer community.

Photos by Carey Wagner Photography.

About The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
Established in 1983, New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center empowers people to lead healthy, successful lives. The Center celebrates diversity and advocates for justice and opportunity. Each year, The Center welcomes more than 300,000 visits to the building in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan from people who engage in life-changing and life-saving activities. To learn more about their work, please visit gaycenter.org.