Members of the LGBTQ+ community were finally able to march the streets of Albany after a two-year wait due to the pandemic.

It’s been more than two years since Paige Medina has been able to march the streets of Albany for the annual Pride parade.

“To be all together, all at once, all in one day, it’s a huge opportunity,” Medina said. “Not only for connecting with others. But just to see all of us and know we do exist.”

Paige, who is a trans woman, came out just five years ago. She says events like the Pride parade in Albany continue to build the LGBTQ+ community.

“With everything going on with the world, this is the one place where they know they have community,” Medina said. “And they know this is going to be a welcoming and opening environment, so they can truly be themselves.”

This year’s parade brought out an estimated 30,000 walkers and spectators, a record-setting number. And with its return, organizers decided to make a change.

This year the parade would be led by members of the trans community.

“It’s really hard to articulate how excited I am over it,” parade participant Samantha Mabee said. “It’s such a fresh thing for me and a lot of people in the group and for society too. I’m just happy we got invited.”

The return of the pride parade at full strength shows the support behind this community.

“This is a really queer-friendly town, so the visibility of the event is going to get out there pretty quickly and easily,” Mabee said. “And that’s what we need. The viability of people being themselves and being happy.”

In a time when some states are challenging trans rights, New Yorkers are standing strong with the trans community.

“We will be here and we will continue to be here no matter what legislation will pass,” Medina said. “It’s not going to stop us from being ourselves. We are always going to be here no matter what.”