Cherry Grove started its LGBTQ Pride Parade in 1999, marking the 30th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, considered the birth of the 20th century Gay Liberation Movement, when patrons of Stonewall Inn, on Christopher Street, proudly and angrily rebelled against Sixth Precinct Police, who had raided the bar. The 22nd annual Cherry Grove Pride Parade, around downtown Cherry Grove, took place on June 20, with participants appropriately masked and largely distancing, in an effort to prevent spread of Covid-19.
We assembled in front of the historic Grove Community House and Theatre and the Grove Fire House and, after passing the downtown Grove businesses, decorated with rainbows, finished up at the dock. There was an Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG) float, with Thom “Panzi” Hansen, Grove Homecoming Queen 1976 and 1977, founder of the Grove Invasion of the Pines, and current President of APCG, and Homecoming Queen 2020 candidates Ikea, Davida Jones, and Levonia Jenkins. There was a Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. (CGCAI) contingent, headed by CGCAI President Diane Romano; Cherry Grove Fire Department (CGFD) firetrucks, with Fire Chief Jill Navarra; and a Northwell Health/Doctor’s House float, driven by Eddie Fraser. The Leather contingent consisted of Dawn Cookler and past Messrs Fire Island Leather 2001 (the first) this writer, 2004 Jeff Goodman, 2005 Joe Saporito, and 2012 Mark Nayden. Fidel Patino, Ken Woodhouse, and Mike Turci were there pups Mona Lisa, Chico, and young Prince. We saw the Pines’ Robin Byrd and, designer of our sashes and vests, custom Leatherwear designer David Samuel Menkes. And singer Porsche was there.
Regrettably there is no huge LGBTQ Pride March in Manhattan this year, cancelled for safety reasons, because of the corona virus pandemic, but for those of us who could attend, our small, but lively Cherry Grove Pride Parade will have to substitute.

Photo credits & captions
All photos by Bruce-Michael Gelbert, except where otherwise noted
CGCAI membership table
APCG memberships table – Philomena & Joann
rainbows at Floyd’s
rainbows at Sweet Licks
rainbow at the Community House
Homecoming Queen candidate Ikea
Steven
Monika & Denise
Koitz & Doug
Rose Levine!
Matthew & Michael
Messrs. Fire Island Leather 2012 Mark & 2005 Joe
Homecoming Queen candidate Davida Jones
Fidel, Ken & Mike & pups
Northwell Health/Dr’s House contingent
CGFD contingent
CGFD’s Ben & Jerry
CGCAI contingent
Panzi & Homecoming Queen candidates Levonia Jenkins, Davida Jones & Ikea
Ikea (standing, center) & followers & Chris (kneeling)
Leather contingent Jeff, Bruce-Michael, Joe, Mark & (in front) Dawn – photo by Koitz
Richard & Jim lead the Parade
Denise, Monika, Don & Judy
Judy , Al & Fire Chief Jill
CGFD’s Robert & Elaine
watching the Parade
Robin
watching the Parade from Floyd’s
watching the Parade from the Doctor’s House
Marc & Porsche
Peg & Ceejay
Angela & Sue
watching the Parade, Koitz at right
David
Henriette & Anna
Porsche & Leathermen Joe, Mark & Jeff
Homecoming Queen candidates Davida Jones, Ikea & Levonia Jenkins
Panzi