More than one million people are expected to attend the annual New York City Pride Events which take place over eight days from June 18th–26th 2011.

NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation for the city of New York, joined with Heritage of Pride Inc to unveil Proud and Powerful as the 2011 theme for the celebration, which will highlight New York as one of the world’s most popular LGBT destinations.

The eight days of activities will begin with The Rally at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield and culminate in the legendary Dance on the Pier at Pier 54 in Hudson River Park.

Other events during the Pride Celebration include a series of cycle rides, a march and a street festival.

“We are proud that New York City has become one of the most popular destinations to celebrate LGBT pride,” said George Fertitta, chief executive of NYC & Company.

“We invite visitors from around the world to book their travel now to take part in our vibrant and unique pride celebration.”

New York City’s LGBT events are organized by Heritage of Pride to commemorate and celebrate the 1969 Stonewall Riots, the event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the USA and around the world.

Heritage of Pride has teamed up with Morgans Hotel Group to offer exclusive NYC Pride 2011 accommodation deals with rates starting at $189 at four New York City properties – the Hudson, Mondrian SoHo, Morgans and Royalton.

This deal is subject to availability and based on a two-night minimum stay between June 16th and 27th 2011.

For full details, see the website.

“Our theme for 2011, Proud and Powerful, exemplifies where the LGBT movement is now,” says Chris Frederick, managing director of Heritage of Pride.

“Over the past year we’ve seen the downfall of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the slow breakdown of the Defense of Marriage Act, and many other wins for the community. Our message is clear and succinct: we are proud of who we are and increasingly more powerful in winning LGBT equal rights.”