Thousands of people flocked to downtown Albany on Sunday for the annual pride parade and festival — the Capital Region's largest pride celebration.

"Well, it's always a wonderful celebration and it's always good — especially with the 50th anniversary of Stonewall," said Martha Harvey, executive director and CEO of the Pride Center of the Capital Region. "It's always a good time to look back and really remember all those that came before us and sacrificed so much for us to be able to stand here."

Many floats in Sunday's parade paid homage to that historic night in 1969, when many in Greenwich Village rioted at the Stonewall Inn — a bar known for its acceptance of many in the LGBTQ community, during a time when no one was safe if they were openly gay.

Harvey said people who were gay were closeted, for fear of losing family, friends, their jobs, their homes, and more. Police raids on establishments that served the LGBTQ community were a regular occurrence, but on June 28, 1969, the riots broke out amid the already unsettled tensions in the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War protests.

Many consider the Stonewall Riots as the defining moment in the gay rights movement. And in 2019, New York became a leader in LGBTQ rights again, something Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said isn't over yet.

Hochul hopes Gov. Cuomo will sign two more bills for LGBTQ rights before the legislative session ends.

"We have done so much," Hochul said. "Our state legislature passed GENDA, supported by Gov. Cuomo. We banned conversion therapy, [but] we have more fights."

Even 50 years later, some states and community groups are not as supportive as New York. Many people at Sunday's festivities said that is exactly why they showed up.

"I'm here to support everybody who feels judged and doesn't feel like they fit in because I fit in with everybody, and I feel like they should too," said James Terpening of Albany.

And that sentiment was echoed.

"People are people," said Lauren Gomes-Atwood of Greenfield, who was part of the parade with Saratoga Pride. "When you think about what the media puts out, 'Oh, LGBT people ... that's them it's not us,' but we're allies so you can still be supportive and not be an LGBTQIA person.

And those people, still need support, Harvey said.

"Bullying at school, families and family members that aren't accepting, coworkers that aren't accepting, companies that discriminate. It still exists," Harvey said.

And for the LGBTQ communities near and far, both Hotchul and Harvey say anyone can create change.

"So many times when New York takes an action other states follow and it's not all of them at once. Some are far more conservative than we have here in New York, but there are people who live in those communities who can run for office," Hotchul said.

Harvey said you can start small and work your way up.

"No matter what state you're in run for office, run for school board, get involved in your local politics — start there," Harvey said.

Harvey said the parade, festival, and the record-setting attendance each year is important in order to show anyone who is struggling with their sexuality or gender identity that there's hope. 

The "World Pride" parade is set for June 30 in New York City to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots.