SAN FRANCISCO – The 45th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade is less than three months away and organizers are hard at work solidifying plans and programming for the event. The SF LGBT Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 28 in downtown San Francisco beginning at 10:30AM. A two-day celebration and festival is scheduled from Noon to 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 27 and from 10:30 AM to 6:00PM on Sunday, June 28 at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza Park.
This year’s theme, “Equality Without Exception,” signifies the struggles that continue to exist across all communities seeking social justice. “The LGBTQ Pride movement remains relevant. The message of the #blacklivesmatter movement and the continued fight for LGBTQ rights, civil rights, women’s equality, reproductive rights, income equality and immigration reform are at the heart of our 45th anniversary commemoration,” according to SF Pride Executive Director George Ridgely.
For 16 years, the SF Pride Membership and Board of Directors have continued the tradition of public selection for Community Grand Marshals, Organizational Grand Marshal, and the Pink Brick recipient. The organization is thrilled to announce this year’s community grand marshals along with several special awardees, in recognition of their contributions to the LGBTQ community and movement:
Community Grand Marshal – Judy Dlugacz, Olivia Co-founder
Chosen by public vote; voting for this recognition is open to the public at large, and concluded in February with more than 7,000 votes cast.
Organizational Grand Marshal – Transgender Law Center
Chosen by public vote; voting for this recognition is open to the public at large, and concluded in February with more than 7,000 votes cast.
Community Grand Marshal – Alicia Garza, #blacklivesmatter Co-founder
Chosen by the SF Pride General Membership; this recognition is chosen annually by the active membership of the SF Pride planning committee.
Community Grand Marshal – Brian Basinger, AIDS Housing Alliance/SF
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors
Community Grand Marshal – Belo Cipriani, award-winning author and disabilities advocate
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors
Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal – Felicia Elizondo, Screaming Queen, pioneer, legend, icon, diva
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors
Pink Brick – American Family Association, U.S. nonprofit organization championing Christian activism
Chosen by public vote; the Pink Brick is an opportunity to highlight an individual or organization that has done harm to the LGBT community. Voting for this recognition is open to the public at large, and concluded in February with more than 7,000 votes cast.
The Gilbert Baker Pride Founder’s Award – Patrick Carney, Pink Triangle Organizer and Co-founder
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors; honoring those who have made significant and historical impact on the LGBTQ community and the movement for LGBTQ rights.
The José Julio Sarria History Maker Award – Julia and Sam Thoron, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors; awarded to Bay Area people who make extraordinary changes in the way society views the LGBTQ community.
The Audrey Joseph Entertainment Award – Audrey Joseph, SF Entertainment Commissioner, activist, record executive
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors; this is the inaugural year for this award, which honors those who have made a significant and historical impact, or left an indelible impression on the LGBTQ community and the movement for LGBTQ rights, through their artistic expression, or through their contribution within the entertainment industry.
The Teddy Witherington Award – Tita Aida, Transgender, Asian Pacific Islander, LGBTQI community leader
Awarded by the Mayor of San Francisco in recognition of an individual who has contributed a longstanding, large body of work to the LGBTQ community.
Heritage of Pride, 10 Years of Service Award – Tom Taylor and Jerome “Jerry” Goldstein, community advocates and fundraisers
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors; for those organizations, individuals, or other entities that have contributed ten (10) years of consecutive service to the LGBTQ community.
Heritage of Pride, Pride Freedom Award – Mary Midgett, community leader, author
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors; for outstanding contributions to advancing civil rights and freedom for LGBTQ people.
Heritage of Pride, Pride Creativity Award – Monica Helms, creator of the Transgender Pride Flag
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors; the Pride Creativity Award is presented for outstanding artistic contribution to the LGBTQ community.
Heritage of Pride, Pride Community Award – Harry Lit, community organizer and fundraiser
Chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors; the Pride Community Award is presented for outstanding service to LGBTQ communities.
More information about, as well as quotes from, the grand marshals and awardees can be found at http://sfpride.org/parade/grand-marshals.html.
The San Francisco Pride Board of Directors is hosting a 45th Anniversary Kickoff Party at the Hotel Whitcomb Grand Ballroom on Saturday, May 30th from 7:00PM to 10:00PM. This will be the first opportunity to meet many of the 2015 Grand Marshals and Awardees before the Pride Celebration in June. The benefit will feature hosted bars and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and performances by SambaFunk! and Cheer SF.
“The anticipated Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage in late June will be a huge draw for attendance at this year’s Pride events. After 45 years, SF Pride continues to be a significant platform for advancing our LGBT movement and celebrating our victories,” stated Board President Gary Virginia.
Information on participating in the parade, purchasing event tickets, advertising opportunities, or becoming an exhibitor, sponsor or donor may be found at www.sfpride.org or by calling (415) 864-0831.
