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29 June 2019 4:59 PM

In pics: LGBTQ stars take to the skies for Virgin’s first ever Pride Flight marking 50 years since Stonewall

Up, up and a gay!

By Will Stroude

Virgin Holidays and Virgin Atlantic took Pride celebrations to new heights today as the UK’s first Pride Flight took to the skies on Friday (28 June) celebrating World Pride 2019 and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, in partnership with Attitude magazine.

Passengers were treated to six hours of Pride extravagance including a performance from Broadway musical icon and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Tituss Burgess, a troupe of drag queens, and a DJ a set from Jodie Harsh who kept revellers dancing at 38,000 feet.

A star-studded line up of celebrities joined the fun including Courtney Act, Grammy-winning singer songwriter MNEK; Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard; model and activist Munroe Bergdorf; television presenter Scarlett Moffatt and singer of the official London Pride song Saara Aalto.

Also joining the momentous event was 80-year old Stonewall veteran, Tree Sequoia, who was there on the night the riots broke out and still works as a bartender at the Stonewall Inn.

Titus Burgess commented: “Let me be perfectly queer – the Virgin Pride Flight was an event to remember. Singing some of my favourite songs half-way across the Atlantic  to 300 LGBTQ+ passengers is a true honour, and I’m certainly looking forward to showing off the best of New York City over the coming days.”

Jodie Harsh, DJ and co-host of Pride Flight, said:  “There was an incredible amount of positive energy on that flight, and it really was the ultimate party in the sky.

“Connecting people through music is what I do best – even at 38,000 feet.” 

Mark Anderson, Global LGBT Lead for Virgin Group, added:  “Virgin has long been a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, and this year we wanted to do something bigger and better than ever before.  

“It’s really important that we continue to recognise our LGBTQ+ staff and customers, but because we’re ‘Virgin’ we tend to do it in the most flamboyant way possible.”

Meanwhile, Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company, commented: “The celebrations are well underway in New York City and we look forward to continuing the party that began on Virgin’s iconic Pride Flight.

“As we prepare for the Pride March tomorrow, we look forward to honoring the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, reflecting on how far we have come and marking this pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history.”

Check out some more of the ‘high’-lights from the Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays Pride Flight below:

 

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