Welsh actor Luke Evans helped illuminate the Empire State Building in a vibrant display of colour on Sunday evening (28 June), as New York City marked Pride 2026.
The building’s iconic tower lights were lit in the colours of the Inclusive Pride Flag, in partnership with the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and The Trevor Project, as part of the city’s annual celebrations.
Tony Award-nominated performer Evans took centre stage at a special lighting ceremony, where he flipped the famous switch to bring the display to life.
The lighting forms part of a long-standing tradition at the Manhattan landmark, which has marked LGBTQ+ Pride with coloured lights every year since 1990, when campaigners successfully pushed for recognition of the community. The building continues to change its tower colours throughout the year to highlight major cultural moments, causes and holidays.
New York Pride commemorates the Stonewall uprising of 1969, widely regarded as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and remains one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. In 2026, the event also coincides with milestones linked to the movement’s historic roots, including anniversaries tied to the preservation and recognition of the Stonewall Inn.
The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, the charitable arm of the landmark venue, works to support grassroots LGBTQ+ organisations, while The Trevor Project focuses on providing support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people.
Following the ceremony, Evans toured the Empire State Building’s Observation Deck Experience before posing for photographs on the 86th floor.
He has also been involved in wider Pride programming linked to Stonewall celebrations this year, reflecting his continued visibility as an openly gay performer during a high-profile period in his stage career.
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