With a fresh coat of paint, the city’s most recognizable symbol of Pride is getting ready for Sunday.

The city’s Department of Transportation crews and elected leaders brightened the rainbow crosswalk outside Stonewall Friday ahead of the Pride March, where as many as 2 million people are expected.

What You Need To Know

  • Before the first marcher steps off, there’s already debate over who should be in the parade

  • A coalition that includes 19 current and former Pride grand marshals urged Heritage of Pride to remove Mount Sinai and NYU Langone from marching

  • NYU Langone has withdrawn. Mount Sinai remains scheduled to march

“Right now in our country, there are places where they’re ripping up their crosswalks. We’re all here to say absolutely not. Not New York,” Council Member Carl Wilson said.

But before the first marcher steps off, there’s already debate over who should be in the parade.

A coalition that includes 19 current and former Pride grand marshals urged Heritage of Pride to remove Mount Sinai and NYU Langone over their decisions to end or restrict gender transition care for minors.

“These hospitals that have chosen to preemptively and proactively to end gender-affirming care for trans youth in New York City should not be allowed to march,” Elisa Crespo, the 2025 Pride grand marshal, said.

Since then, NYC Pride confirms NYU Langone has withdrawn from the march.

In its place, a group of healthcare workers for trans rights will participate.

Mount Sinai remains scheduled to march.

“I have never been a huge fan of kicking people out of the march, but I do stand with the community, and I think we need to have [a] serious reckoning with the way they’re handling this,” state Sen. Erik Bottcher said.

“I stand with the community and ultimately I hope NYU and Mount Sinai will continue [to] put the best fight available to protect their patients,” Taylor Brown, the director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, said.

In a statement, NYC Pride defended its decision, saying, in part: “By keeping these partners at the table, we can use our relationships to hold them accountable, advocate for the underrepresented and marginalized and propel progress.”

NY1 reached out to both hospitals but did not receive comment.