One ferry has been carrying riders under the drab name HB107 for years. But for the rest of the month, it is being called the Pride Vessel.
The city-run NYC Ferry service is responsible for the name change, and the boat's new tricked out design, which incorporates the city's official LGBT Pride design, called Project Rainbow.
"This vessel really is a public statement to people who are able to see it on board or able see it from the shore, to see this is NYC's real commitment to pride," said James Wong, the director of NYC Ferry.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation, which oversees NYC Ferry, decided to go big for this year's LGBT Pride month because this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a turning point in the modern gay rights movement and the World Pride celebration taking place in New York.
The 150 passenger vessel got a makeover inside as well as out.
"When you're really looking at this from the outside, you can't even tell how much is activated inside, to show things like our tables, where we really are sharing our message that the best way to get there is together," said Wong.
The interior has pride slogans and hashtags on the walls and tables. A special brew, called “Gay Beer,” is also being sold alongside the ferry's normal offerings of beverages and snacks.
"It was founded by people who want to celebrate their identity and share it with others," said Wong.
Each day, the Pride Vessel will set sail on a different NYC Ferry route. There are six routes in all, which run along the East River between Manhattan and the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. The Twitter handle @NYCFerry will disclose where the Pride Vessle is on any given day.
If you want to ride with pride, you've got a few weeks to get on board. The decals will be coming off soon after the fourth of July.