Pride in the City

I'm finally getting around to posting my NYC Pride pics.  It was my very first Pride march, and thanks to the Supreme Court's gay marriage decision just two days earlier, we all had special cause to celebrate.  I marched with the Center for Constitutional Rights, a civil and human rights organization that I used to work for and now donate to.  They have been fighting the good fight for almost 50 years, and among other cases, have joined with Sexual Minorities Uganda to sue Scott Lively for persecuting LGBTI Ugandans.  Cases like this remind us that - for as much as the LGBT movement had to celebrate at Pride this year - there is still so much more work to be done.      

Sir Ian McKellen - Grand Marshal #1

Sir Derek Jacobi - Grand Marshal #2

Star of the parade!

In front of the historic Stonewall Inn - where it all began in 1969.

Summer in the City

Memorial Day weekend is New York City's unofficial kick off to the summer season.  Hello, Shakespeare in the Park, Jazz Age Lawn Party, Governors Ball and a litany of other cultural activities from river to river.  And, let's not forget: OUTDOOR DRINKING.  The fun starts even before the first summer Friday with, you guessed it: Fleet Week!  Men in uniforms!  

If you spent your weekend running around trying to snap a #SelfieWithASailor, you are probably ready to cool off and kick back with another summertime staple: ice cream.  Non-dairy ice cream.  

Meet your new obsession: the recently opened DF Mavens in the East Village.  It begins with a flavored cone.  I picked coconut (just because I can't physically get to a tropical island doesn't mean I can't transport my tastebuds there).  

Then, it's time to choose a scoop (or two).  I went with New Orleans Salted Praline and had my own personal Mardi Gras flavor celebration.  

For those interested in supplementing their ice cream experience, DF Mavens also sells vegan pastries, milkshakes, gourmet chocolates, and juices - in addition to pints-to-go of their ice cream.  

Bottom line: this is a must-stop-spot for your New York City summer.  

Bonus: you can mosey afterwards to The Grafton (the erstwhile Lunasa) to get your outdoor drinking on in their back area.