Trio of LA Pride Grand Marshals Will Set Stage

By Susan Payne

A trio of grand marshals will take this year’s LA Pride Parade to another level Sunday, June 11 at its original historic location in Hollywood.

The Icon Grand Marshal is comedian, actor and activist Margaret Cho, who has achieved major milestones with their career and industry. The Community Grand Marshal, which celebrates a group or individual who has had a powerful influence through their work and dedication to and for the LGBTQ community is the ACLU of Southern California.

New this year, is the posthumous tribute to Emmy-winner Leslie Jordan as the Legacy Grand Marshal, in honor of Jordan’s everlasting impact on the community.

“I’m thrilled and incredibly honored to be the Icon Grand Marshal,” said Cho, in a news release from Christopher Street West Association (CSW). “We need this Pride more than ever. I have been attending Pride celebrations since 1978 and this time around the need to celebrate as well as unite is more urgent than it has ever been. Our love is greater than their hate.”

“On behalf of Leslie Jordan, we are overjoyed by Christopher Street West’s heartfelt recognition to name Leslie as LA Pride’s Legacy Grand Marshal,” said Jana “Cricket” Jordan. “This honor further solidifies the positive impact he made in the world, but more importantly for the LGBTQ+ community. His spirit continues to bring love and light.”

“For a century, we’ve been on the front lines fighting for people to be their true, authentic selves,” said Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU SoCal. “We’re honored to be the Community Grand Marshal and proud to love, live among, and protect LGBTQ Californians.”

THE GRAND MARSHALS:

Multi-hyphenate artisan and activist Cho is a five-time GRAMMY and Emmy nominee. Cho staunchly supports the causes that are important to her: antiracism, anti-bullying, gay rights, all while fulfilling her successful creative side with a legendary stand-up career that has yielded 10-plus comedy tours. Her recent television appearances include Season 2 of The Flight Attendant (HBO Max), Season 2 of Hacks (HBO Max), and two Netflix is a Joke comedy specials: Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration and Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live. Her most recent feature Grand Marshals, see page 19