Tens of thousands of people wrapped themselves in L.G.B.T.Q. Pride flags and wore their brightest rainbow gear to celebrate the New York City Pride March on Sunday. Despite the cloudy, humid day, gold and silver glitter lit up the sky.

The march commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising, the catalyst for the modern L.G.B.T.Q. rights movement. The New York march is the largest of its kind in the United States, with organizers this year expecting around 25,000 marchers and around two and a half million spectators.

Luccy Griman, 52, of Waterbury, Conn., was among the paraders on Sunday, marching for the 20th time. Over the past two decades, the annual celebration has changed in many ways, he said, but one thing remains constant: the collective spirit to embrace who you are and live in the moment.

“Every year, I’m here to celebrate being together, to dress up and have fun,” he said. “To celebrate life now.”

Despite the joyous mood, the upcoming presidential election and laws threatening the rights of the L.G.B.T.Q. community motivated many to show their support at the parade.

Edwin Josue, 69, said he hoped that the swell of pride shown on Sunday would inspire the younger generation to express themselves freely and fight for equality for all.