New Yorkers United in Adversity: A Video Message from Our Pride Team

June is Pride Month. At this moment in time, when Pride events are coinciding with ongoing Black Lives Matter protests throughout the nation, we recognize that both movements are at their heart a rejection of humiliation and fear, and a call for human rights for all.

While there isn’t a Pride March this year due to COVID-19, we can still be there in spirit—thanks to this uplifting video of “We Are the World,” sung by some of New York’s top drag queens, including members of the internationally renowned cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

This song of inspiration and survival and its message of inclusion are now more important than ever. The Pride movement is rooted in protest, including resistance against police brutality and violence. In fact, the Stonewall Inn uprising that took place in June of 1969 and that led to the start of the LGBTQ movement was led by black and Hispanic drag queens and trans women.

With Black Americans and other marginalized people across this nation still facing brutality and injustice, this moment also requires that we commit ourselves to taking action to combat racism, while also continuing to push for full equality for LGBTQ people. None of us will be free until all of us are free—a truth that has been underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is disproportionately impacting both the LGBTQ community and people of color.

As an organization of more than 13,000 staff of every race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation and gender identity, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York proudly reflects New York in all its wonderful diversity. It’s the mission of VNSNY – and has been for 127 years—to support the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, which includes fighting discrimination and health disparities for all of our communities.

We are the world, and we are committed to making the world a safer and more equitable and healthier place for everyone.

We hope this video brings a much needed smile to your heart.

To view the video, please click below!