It’s really not far off…the 2026 Seattle LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations are happening in June and it’s now late March so….tick tock, Clarice! Seattle Pride is on the ball with their planning for this year and they’ve just announced the theme for this year’s Seattle Pride Parade happening Sunday, June 28th in downtown Seattle…it’s “RALLY” and that’s not a bad idea…we need to ‘rally’ to get through the mess this country is currently in.
They’ve also annouced this year’s Grand Marshals: community activist Deanute Damper and the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) Seattle Torrent.
More info below and here’s a link to the webpage for even more info including registering to march in the parade: https://seattlepride.org/events/parade
Each year, Seattle Pride selects a theme that reflects the moment — naming where the community stands and pointing toward where it’s going. In 2024, Seattle celebrated 50 years of Pride with the theme “Now,” recognizing the significance of that milestone. In 2025, the theme “Louder” encouraged the community to take up space, use its voice, and make clear that LGBTQIA2S+ people belong.
For 2026, “Rally” calls on the community to gather in solidarity and action.
In announcing the theme, Seattle Pride Executive Director Patti Hearn explained that it reflects Pride’s dual role as both a celebration and a protest.
“It’s what happens when we come together for a common goal,” Hearn said. “That’s the energy we need to bring to 2026. This year, we take that energy to the streets. We get inspired before the march. We answer the call to action.”
Hearn added that the theme also reflects the resilience required during a challenging moment for LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
“Queer and trans people are under attack. Our rights, our dignity, our safety — these things are under real and active threat,” she said. “And the way we fight back is by showing up for each other. Showing up with each other — as community members, as allies, as people who love someone in this movement and people who have the power to make change.”
This year’s grand marshals reflect the leadership and spirit of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Community leader Damper has been recognized for his work uplifting Black and LGBTQIA2S+ voices in Seattle, including the prestigious Ryan White Community Champion Award last year for his exceptional leadership, tireless advocacy, and unwavering commitment to community empowerment. He served as the first-ever NAACP LGBTQ chair and works at the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention. He helms We Live in Color, which introduces the community to strong Black leaders within the LGBTQIA2S+ community, airing weekly on the digital platforms of Converge Media, which captured the moment he learned he was selected as this year’s grand marshal.
“I’m deeply honored to serve as a grand marshal for Seattle Pride 2026,” Damper said. “To me, ‘Rally’ is about more than gathering — it’s about showing up with purpose, with urgency, and with love for one another. In a time when our communities are facing real challenges, we have to stand together, uplift each other, and keep pushing for justice and visibility. Pride has always been both protest and celebration, and I’m proud to help lead that call to action this year.”
The Seattle Torrent, the city’s PWHL team, has quickly become a force both on and off the ice, championing equity, inclusion, and visibility in sports. Committed to creating space for women and LGBTQIA2S+ fans and athletes, the team uses its platform to uplift community voices and advocate for a more inclusive future in sport.
“We’re honored to join our community for Seattle Pride 2026,” said Madi McNamara, Director of Team Business Operations at Seattle Torrent. “Hockey is built on teamwork, resilience, and showing up for one another — and that’s exactly what this year’s ‘Rally’ theme represents. As a team rooted in community, we’re proud to stand with LGBTQIA2S+ people across Seattle and use our platform to help rally support, visibility, and action both on and off the ice.”
The Seattle Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 28, in downtown Seattle along 4th Avenue (between Union Street and Denny Way). The day kicks off at the Westlake Park stage with pre-show entertainment at 10 a.m., followed by the parade beginning at 11 a.m. The event is free to attend, though reserved grandstand seating will be available for purchase at SeattlePride.org while space lasts.
Each year, the Seattle Pride Parade culminates Pride Month on the last Sunday of June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The Seattle Pride Parade is the state’s largest annual parade and single-day celebration — and one of the largest Pride parades nationally.
Seattle Pride also invites community members who want to make a difference, make new connections, and support Pride to join as volunteers. Visit SeattlePride.org/Volunteer to learn more and sign up.
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
