NEW YORK, NY April 07, 2009 —New York City is launching a nearly $2 million marketing campaign called the "Rainbow Pilgrimage" to attract more gay and lesbian tourists. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the conflict between gay New Yorkers and the NYPD that sparked the modern gay pride movement. Fred Dixon, from the New York City office of tourism says its remarkable how much has changed in the past 40 years.

One of the great things about New York, is that New York, unlike a lot of places, New York really celebrates and embraces its diversity. And that's one of the things that makes this particular anniversary so special.

Dixon says the centerpiece of the year long "Rainbow Pilgrimage" initiative will be a week-long celebration of Gay Pride in June.