It coincides with events in New York City, including NYC Pride and WorldPride, an international celebration of the LGBT Pride movement that will be held in the U.S. Long Beach was filled with rainbow flags in a show of support for the LGBT community, part of a regional celebration of LGBT Pride Month, with events across the state. Thurman was among the thousands who turned out for 29th annual Long Island Pride Parade on Sunday, part of the city’s three-day Pride on the Beach festival June 21-23 that marked the anniversary of Stonewall, considered a turning point in the gay rights movements. To be able to celebrate 50 years after Stonewall, it’s nice to honor the people that fought for us - we didn’t get here on our own, people had to speak up.” It’s important to remember people who fought for our rights and didn’t have the opportunities that we do. “We had so many cool things going on, it’s amazing that we can all come together. “It’s really awesome to be able to celebrate right here in our hometown on the beach,” said Jess Thurman, of Barrier Island CrossFit in Long Beach, who noted the significance of the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising.
