Taylor Bennett is a multi-genre artist and LGBTQ advocate whose new album Coming of Age seamlessly blends alternative, rock n’ roll, hip-hop, R&B and more. Taylor and his Grammy winning brother Chance grew up on the south side of Chicago. In 2017, Taylor came out as bisexual to publicly voice his continued support for the LGBTQ+ community. With his “Be Yourself Pt.2” song and his apparel collection Be Yourself, which continues to sell out, Taylor wanted to inspire and celebrate our differences. He hopes to show that no matter who you like, no matter what race you are, no matter where you are from, it is all about love.
Ezra Michel is an LA based multidisciplinary trans creator who began posting his self-produced music on TikTok in 2020. He hosted the 2019 Trans Pride LA VarieTy Show, performed in Alexandra Billings’ I’m Still Queer: A Trans American Cabaret, Bob the Drag Queen’s Purse First Music Sessions, countless California pride events, and appears as the first out trans masculine actor on a Telemundo series.
Ruba Wilson is a TV host, on-air personality, model, and social media influencer specializing in lifestyle, music, and fashion. Wilson most recently hosted Peacock’s entertainment news show "Lit News" and was named to Paper Magazine’s "Most Beautiful People."
Other featured performances and appearances include Keiynan Lonsdale, keiyaA, Ashlee Keating, Grag Queen, Lolita Leopard and The Family Presents Cinderfella, Lyle Anthony, Tai’Aysha, Marquise Vilson, members of the cast of TREVOR the musical, Noa Kirel, Tangina Stone, Gotham Cheer and Schulyer Bailar. DJ Karaba joins as House DJ.
Youth Pride is produced in partnership with founding sponsor Target, It Gets Better, Sound Mind, Gotham Cheer, Thayers, and GLSEN.
NYC Pride is committed to creating safe, inclusive and accessible spaces. With that, Youth Pride will stream from Rumsey Playfield, in Central Park. Youth organizations will join remotely to provide watch party experiences across the country. Streaming partners include Dutchess County Pride Center (NY), Firehouse Shelter (AL), LGBTQ Center at UNF (FL), Louisville Youth Group (KY), Wanda Alston Foundation (DC), Xchange For Change (NY), Magic City Acceptance Center (AL), High School of Fashion Industries GSA (NY), North Kansas City YMCA (KC), Sacramento LGBT Community Center (CA), Youth Oasis (LA), Uplift Outreach Center (SC), Colors+ (OH), Colectiva Queer (FL), YMCA of the Rockies (CO), YMCA of Central Ohio and many more.
Youth Pride will take place at Rumsey Playfield at Central Park on Saturday June 25 at 1:00pm EDT. The event is free, but RSVP is required via nycpride.org/tickets. Youth Pride will also be streamed live at nycpride.org/youthpride.
NYC Pride is committed to bringing the community together in person with basic safety precautions in place to ensure we can celebrate Pride with the lowest possible risk.