New York City is offering more than 50 events this month in what is being called the largest Pride celebration in the world, Stonewall 50-WorldPride 2019.
Pride is celebrated in New York City and other worldwide locations to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising—a seminal moment in history—when gay rights activists rioted against a police raid at Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the uprising, and groups meeting in the Big Apple in June can break for the wide variety of events, such as human rights conferences, Stonewall commemorative ceremonies, a tour and toast of Stonewall, LGBTQ history, art shows, musicals and films going on throughout the city. Many of the events are great reasons for team building, to boot.
Several New York City hotels are participating in Pride events. They are offering special events and packages throughout June—but they get bonus points for being LGBT-welcoming all year long. In honor of Stonewall 50-WorldPride, here are four LGBT-friendly accommodations for groups in the Big Apple.
Kimpton Hotels
Kimpton Hotels’ website states, “Since our founding in San Francisco over three decades ago, in 1981, we’ve embraced the LGBTQ community and have made a commitment to helping affect positive change by partnering with organizations that can make a difference….” True to its words, the hotel has partnered with The Trevor Project to provide drag brunches at some of its properties in New York City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Austin, Texas, from June through October. In New York City, Brunch will be held June 29 at Kimpton Eventi.
All of Kimpton Hotels’ New York City properties—Eventi, Ink48 and Muse—offer boutique charm; chic, modern interiors; and are perfect for groups of 10–25. Pride packages at all three hotels include Pride-themed cocktails, body paint, rainbow cookies and rainbow sunglasses, and a $10 Metro credit.
JW Marriott Essex House New York
A rainbow of flowers in the form of the hotel’s six-story sign greets guests in the lobby of JW Marriott Essex House New York. The iconic hotel, right off Central Park, offers newly redesigned rooms with an Art Deco flair, as well as many updated suites, including the 2,000-square-foot JW Terrace Suite, with executive lounge access. The property also offers 14 meeting rooms for a total of 17,544 sq. ft. of versatile event space. Pride packages are available through Dec. 31, and rainbow bandanas are free throughout WorldPride 2019.
Hyatt
Sixteen of Hyatt’s New York properties are giving out 20-percent discounts from June 21 through Sept. 8, and the brand is offering VIP packages for WorldPride 2019. Each hotel offers several meeting spaces, and each is celebrating Pride in its own way—from Source Pride, a presentation of artwork by Keith Haring at Park Hyatt through Sept. 3 and a library of books by notable LGBT+ authors at Andaz 5th Avenue, to specialty cocktails at several locations.
W Hotels
All W New York hotels: W Downtown (3,152 sq. ft. total meeting space), W Hoboken (8,919 sq. ft.), W Times Square (2,401 sq. ft.) and W Union Square (4,828 sq. ft.) are going big, with a WorldPride package that includes two spots on the W Hotels float at the WorldPride march on June 30. The package includes exclusive swag bags as well as custom costumes for your Instagram photo shoot. While there, groups can also meet at W Union Square on June 29 for #NOH8WORLDWIDE for an open photo shoot to help fight for equal rights.
