It’s that time of the year…time to nominate community leaders to be a grand marshal for the 2023 Seattle Pride Parade produced by Seattle Pride/Seattle Out & Proud. This year’s Pride Sunday will be June 25th with the Parade once again marching down 4th Avenue in Downtown Seattle and ending up at Seattle Center for Seattle PrideFest celebrations.
Is there a community leader you’d like to see recognized? (Hopefully, someone who hasn’t already been a grand marshal recently…) It could be a community organizer, advocate, politician, social justice warrior, influencer, communicator, head of a non-profit, even an outstanding community volunteer. Maybe a performer or business owner? And, they don’t even necessarily need to be LGBTQ+. Maybe it’s an amazing ally.
Here’s more info from Seattle Pride’s website and a link to go nominate someone:
We’re looking for YOUR suggestions for the Grand Marshal for this year’s Seattle Pride Parade. Submit your nominations HERE through Feb. 28th.
What makes a great Grand Marshal?
We’re looking for folks who are preferably a member of the Seattle LGBTQIA+ community who have made an impact through activism. We want to celebrate somebody who is doing the important work to bring our community closer to equal human rights for all.
Previous Grand Marshals have included Shelley Brother and Martha Manning of Wildrose, HIV Advocate Steven Wakefield, and most recently LGTBQIA+ activist and Seattle drag icon Gaysha Starr.
“Being voted Grand Marshal for the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade will always be one of the highest honors I have ever received,” shared Gaysha Starr. “It meant so much being awarded this honor the first year we came together after the pandemic, and to be celebrated for almost 30 years of service and entertainment in Seattle as a drag queen, activist and a proud transgender woman. To the next Grand Marshal, enjoy the moment, take advantage of the wonderful opportunities, and remember you represent all the people of our beautiful diverse city and community!”
What does the Grand Marshal do?
The Grand Marshal will represent Seattle Pride for the entirety of June Pride Month, making an appearance at special events and sharing the importance of LGBTQIA+ activism and Pride with the Greater Seattle Area.
The Grand Marshal will be honored at this year’s Seattle Pride Parade, providing opening remarks and leading the parade on June 25th down Fourth Avenue in Downtown Seattle.