The toss of confetti, wave of flags and roar of thousands of members and allies of the LGBTQIA community filled the streets of Manhattan during the annual NYC Pride March on June 26 – returning for the first time since 2019. Elaborate attire and colorful handouts painted the streets rainbow for blocks.

@asicentral New York Pride Parade #newyorkpride2022 Rainbow #promotionalproducts ♬ Born This Way - Lady Gaga

The day was filled with activism, support and celebration. Each year, the parade – considered the largest in the world – is put on by Heritage of Pride, a nonprofit organization working toward a future free of discrimination against the LGBTQIA community. Its events, such as NYC Pride, are meant to commemorate, educate and inspire.

Elaborate costumes and rainbow attire filled the streets of Manhattan for the annual NYC Pride March.

Promo products were everywhere. Those marching to represent a company or nonprofit wore special logoed Pride gear like T-shirts. Numerous companies had floats to show public support, including LVHM, L'Oréal, Chase Bank, Tito’s, Indeed and more. Additionally, hats, leis, bags, flags, beads and bracelets were handed out left and right.

Those who marched on behalf of Target rolled carts of products down the streets, approaching the crowd to give away free merchandise. Flags, stickers, socks, sunglasses, sunscreen and bags were among the products they handed out.

Target handed out an array of Pride-themed merch during the parade. Attendee Dani Fisher shows off some of the promotional products she received.

“I walked up to the street and was immediately handed sunscreen, socks and a flag for free,” first-time Pride March attendee Dani Fisher said.

The giveaways encouraged attendees to get even more in the spirit of the event, with accessories that added color to their outfits.

Rainbow-hued promotional products were available throughout the parade.

For those who planned ahead or were celebrating from afar, NYC Pride also offered branded merchandise online, including sweatshirts, T-shirts, drawstring bags, totes, buttons, necklaces and accessories for supporters of all ages.

The movement to achieve gay rights was ignited in 1973 when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar that became an important place of refuge for the underground gay community in NYC. Tired of living in the shadows and combatting ongoing raids, the community decided to fight back.

This event triggered what became famously known as The Stonewall Riots. The first Gay Pride March was held the following year, garnering national attention, and the march has since resurfaced annually in advocacy for gay rights. The arduous fight to legalize same-sex marriage lasted decades before the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can wed nationwide in 2015.

An array of companies and organizations had floats in the parade.

For attendee Allison Roth, the march was a day to “celebrate the LGBTQ community and support our differences, while remembering the uphill challenges they still face.” Roth attended the march in support of her daughter, a member of the LGBTQIA community. She hopes for a future where no one is judged for who they love, she said.

Target and Brooklyn Health were among the companies giving out promo at the NYC Pride March.

Events such as the Pride March are highly important to many activists and groups. They also provide unique opportunities for promotion, specifically for companies and organizations that want to express support for the cause.

Promo products at this event added to the color and festivity, and attendees were thrilled to receive free merchandise to supplement their attire and show their support.