Six people were named grand marshals and two other individuals will be recognized as Pride Royalty for this year’s Palm Springs Pride Parade, officials announced Tuesday.
Chosen as grand marshals were:
— Sister Roma (Grand Marshal);
— Holly Near (Celebrity Grand Marshal);
— Peter Daut (Community Grand Marshal);
— Esther Loewen (Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshal);
— Renae Punzalan (Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshal);
— Jasper Price (Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshal).
“Amidst a rising tide of challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community nationwide, from legislative bans on gender-affirming care and curriculum censorship to a surge in anti-trans legislations, the dedication of these Grand Marshals is more crucial than ever,” Jasmine Sullivan Wait, executive director of Palm Springs Pride, said in a statement.
Additionally, Palm Springs residents Douglas Woodmansee and Marshall Pearcy were named “Pride Royalty for Life” for attending the parade since 1995 and helping raise over $2 million for HIV/AIDS charities.
The honorees, who include activists, artists and community leaders, were chosen for their commitment to fostering inclusion in the Greater Palm Springs area and embodying this year’s theme of “Be Heard,” organizers said.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 9.
More information about the parade can be found at pspride.org.
