“For 47 years San Francisco Pride has been part of the fabric of Pride events around the globe that have created a space for LGBTQ people and their allies to gather and express their authentic selves in a supportive and loving environment,” according to San Francisco Pride Executive Director, George Ridgely, Jr. “Our theme for 2017, A Celebration of Diversity, is emblematic of what we believe is the strength of our communities, the strength of our movement, the strength of our city, and the strength of our nation. The power to draw millions of people in solidarity around the world is something the Pride movement has been doing for decades and San Francisco Pride is committed to continuing in its leadership.”
San Francisco Pride is excited to announce initial programing for the 2017 Main Stage. Maysam Sodagari, a legal immigrant from Iran, and a PhD in chemical engineering, who has been living in the United States for the past nine years, is scheduled to speak at the Celebration/Rally. U.S. Customs officials detained Sodagari during the executive order that temporarily banned people from seven predominantly Muslim countries, and all refugees from entering the United States. More speakers addressing critical issues facing LGBTQ communities are being planned for both Saturday and Sunday.
“San Francisco Pride was born out of a protest in order to fight for LGBTQ liberation. The current actions to regress on the progress we’ve made in the last 47 years are a threat not only to our community, but also a threat to American democracy,” said Michelle Meow, President of the San Francisco Pride Board of Directors. “We will show the world our unity, love, and resilience through the freedom of expression for which SF Pride has traditionally provided a platform. We are proud to stand in solidarity with all of our communities, whether it’s sending a message through a peaceful protest or celebrating our beautiful diversity. We will stand up for human rights and resist against any actions that threaten our existence.”
In solidarity with the resistance movement that has been building momentum since the Women’s March in January, the San Francisco Pride Board of Directors – along with long-time activist Cleve Jones and one of this year’s Community Grand Marshals, Alex U. Inn – will lead this year’s parade/march with a resistance contingent. This contingent will stand in defiance to the policies and actions of the current Administration that threaten the most vulnerable members of our community and undermine the hard-fought victories we have secured in our fight for equal rights.
San Francisco Pride honors and applauds this year’s Community Grand Marshals and Awardees, in recognition of their contributions to the LGBTQ movement. “Our Community Grand Marshals and Honorees are true reflections of LGBTQ communities in the Bay Area and their contributions are powerful examples of leadership and creativity,” said Ridgely.<
Chris Carnes – Community Grand Marshal, selected by Public Vote . Chris Carnes is a Bay Area LGBTQ activist, fundraiser, event producer, and philanthropist.
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus – Community Grand Marshal, Organization, selected by Public Vote. For nearly 40 years, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) has served as an international standard bearer for a powerful mix of extraordinary musical excellence and mission-driven activism.
Alex U. Inn – Community Grand Marshal, selected by the San Francisco Pride Membership. Alex U. Inn (Carmen Alex Morrison), a Bay-Area resident for more than 35 years, is an advocate for justice and equality, fighting for their rights and the rights of others, and speaking truth to power.
Amy Sueyoshi – Community Grand Marshal, selected by the SF Pride Board of Directors – Amy Sueyoshi is an educator, activist, and leading scholar in queer Asian American history. Her work addresses Orientalism, cross-dressing, and interracial desire.
Danielle Castro – Community Grand Marshal, selected by the SF Pride Board of Directors -Danielle Castro, Project Director of Community Based Research for the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health (COE) at the University of California, San Francisco, is a transgender community advocate who creates positive change through her work.
Dr. Marcy Adelman – Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal, selected by the SF Pride Board of Directors. Dr. Marcy Adelman is a widely respected psychotherapist and pioneer in the field of lesbian and gay aging.
HERITAGE OF PRIDE AWARDS
Brett Andrews – Heritage of Pride – 10 Years of Service Award – For those organizations, individuals, or other entities that have contributed at least ten years of consecutive service to the LGBTQ community.. Brett Andrews is the CEO of Positive Resource Center (PRC), a 30-year-old San Francisco-based nonprofit organization providing culturally appropriate legal benefits counseling and employment services to people disabled by mental health conditions or HIV/AIDS.
El/La Para TransLatinas – Heritage of Pride – Pride Freedom Award – For outstanding contributions to advancing civil rights and freedom for LGBTQ people. Founded in 2006, the mission and vision of El/La Para TransLatinas is “to work to build a world where translatinas (transgender Latinas) feel they deserve to protect, love, and develop themselves.”
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) – Heritage of Pride – Pride Community Award – For outstanding service to LGBTQ communities. Founded in 1977, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, legislation, policy, and public education.
COMMEMORATION AWARDS
Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) – Gilbert Baker Pride Founder’s Award – For those who have made a significant and historical impact on the LGBTQ community and the movement for LGBTQ rights.. Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) exists to restore and recover the role of Two-Spirit people within the American Indian/First Nations community by creating a forum for the spiritual, cultural, and artistic expression of Two-Spirit people.
Subhi Nahas – José Julio Sarria History Maker Award – Awarded to Bay Area people who make extraordinary changes in the way society views the LGBTQ community. Subhi Nahas is a human rights activist and Syrian refugee. He is founder and Board Chair of the spectraproject.org; co-founder the first LGBTQ Syrian magazine, Mawaleh; and co-founder of a support group for LGBT refugees in Turkey.
Maria Zamudio. Teddy Witherington Award – Recognizing those individuals who have contributed a longstanding, large body of work to the LGBTQ community. Maria Zamudio is a queer Mexican immigrant femme housing rights organizer with Causa Justa::Just Cause, organizing mostly Latinx working class tenants in San Francisco.
Blackberri – The Audrey Joseph LGBTQ Entertainment Award – For 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. Blackberri is a self-described artivist; a songstylist, songmaker, poet, writer, photographer, health educator, and community advocate.
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More comprehensive biographies, photos and information about our Community Grand Marshals and Honorees can be found at sfpride.org/grand-marshals.
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To register for the parade/march visit sfpride.org/contingent-application.
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For information on event tickets, as well as sponsor, exhibitor, advertising, membership and donor opportunities visit sfpride.org or call .
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EVENT CALENDAR
San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade
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Celebration
Civic Center Plaza Park
Saturday, June 24, 12:00 N to 6:00 PM
Sunday, June 25, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
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Parade
Along Market Street, from Beale to 8th Street
Sunday, June 25, beginning at 10:30 AM
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About the San Francisco Pride Celebration Committee
The San Francisco Pride Celebration Committee is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded to produce the SF Pride Celebration and Parade. The mission of the organization is to educate the world on LGBTQ issues, as well as commemorate the heritage, celebrate the culture, and liberate the people of all LGBTQ communities. A world leader in the Pride movement, SF Pride is also a grant-giving organization through its Community Partners Program. Since 1997, SF Pride has granted over $2.5 million dollars in proceeds to local nonprofit LGBTQIA organizations and organizations working on issues related to HIV/AIDS, cancer, homelessness, housing rights, and animal welfare.
To Participate in 2017 Pride please visit www.sfpride.org