ABC7 Returns as Longtime Broadcast Partner, Hulu to Livestream the Parade
Good Morning America Saturday and Sunday Co-Anchor and ABC News Transportation Correspondent Gio Benitez and ABC7 Eyewitness News Anchor Ellen Leyva To Host Live Coverage
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 15, 2024) – LA Pride announced its trio of Grand Marshals to be celebrated at the LA Pride Parade on Sunday, June 9 taking place at its original historic location in Hollywood. This year’s LA Pride Parade Grand Marshals include beloved actor and activist, George Takei, as the Icon Grand Marshal; trailblazing lucha libre wrestler, Cassandro, El Exótico, as the Legacy Grand Marshal; and the Los Angeles Fire Department’s first woman, and first out Chief, Kristin Crowley, as the Community Grand Marshal. This year’s parade also marks the largest number of contingents in LA Pride history.
“These individuals epitomize this year’s theme of ‘Power in Pride,’ not just through their own achievements, but through their unwavering commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and visibility,” said Gerald Garth, board president of CSW/LA Pride. “As this year’s Grand Marshals, they embody the essence of empowerment, showing us that our differences are not obstacles but sources of strength. Together, they inspire us to embrace our identities, break barriers.”
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be named the Icon Grand Marshal,” said Takei. “As someone who has witnessed the struggles and triumphs of our community over the years, I am filled with gratitude for the progress we have made and inspired to continue the fight for full acceptance and equality for all.”
Takei is best known as Lt. Sulu on the television and movie franchise, Star Trek, and later, as a hilarious and highly popular guest on the Howard Stern Show, coining his signature phrase, “Oh myyyy.” As a child, George and his family were imprisoned in two US internment camps, before being released with no money, and forced to live on Skid Row.
Cassandro, El Exotico, is the outlandish, flamboyant alter-ego of professional Mexican wrestler, Saúl Armendáriz. Over the decades, Cassandro took the macho world of lucha libre by storm, while Armendáriz embraced his true self as an out and proud gay man.
“Throughout my career, I have strived to break barriers and challenge stereotypes, not only within the world of professional wrestling but also in society as a whole,” said Cassandro. “To be recognized as this year’s Legacy Grand Marshal for my contributions to both my industry and my community is truly humbling.”
LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley echoed the same reaction to be named Grand Marshal. “As a proud member of the LGBTQ community and the Los Angeles Fire Department, I am overjoyed to be named the Community Grand Marshal. This recognition is not just a reflection of my own efforts, but a testament to the hard work and dedication of all those who have fought for LGBTQ rights and equality.”
Crowley was confirmed as the 19th Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 2022, becoming the first woman, and first openly gay person to hold the position. Chief Crowley is a 29-year veteran as a first responder, with 24 of those years serving within the LAFD. Chief Crowley has proven her credibility, command, and character by rising through the ranks from Firefighter, Paramedic, Engineer, Fire Inspector, Captain I, Captain II, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Chief Deputy, to Fire Chief.
The parade will be hosted this year by Good Morning America Saturday and Sunday co-anchor and ABC News transportation correspondent, Gio Benitez and ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor Ellen Leyva. The parade will broadcast live on Sunday, June 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PDT on ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, Southern California’s most-watched television station and long-time LA Pride broadcasting partner, with simulcasts on ABC7’s streaming and digital platforms and Hulu.
ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles won an L.A.-area Emmy Award for their coverage of the 2022 LA Pride Parade, making LA Pride the first Pride to win an Emmy.
The parade route will begin at Sunset Blvd and Highland Ave heading north, then east onto Hollywood Blvd, then south onto Cahuenga Blvd, ending at Sunset Blvd and Cahuenga Blvd. See the route and read more details HERE.
After the Parade, LA Pride Block Party is the place to be with festivities taking place from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Hollywood Blvd. just steps from the official parade route. This free and open-to-the-public street festival will include booths featuring local vendors and nonprofits, a beer garden, delicious food trucks, a performance stage and plenty of space for dancing and revelry.
The Block Party tradition launched in 2022 when the LA Pride Parade returned to its historic home in Hollywood, and with support from The Hollywood Partnership, the nonprofit organization that oversees the Hollywood Entertainment District. At the request of Los Angeles Council District 13 Councilmember, Hugo Soto-Martinez, Block Party is recognized as an official citywide event of the City of Los Angeles. The Hollywood Partnership and Council District 13 are honored to serve as community hosts for LA Pride and to welcome thousands of visitors to Pride events in Hollywood each June. W Hollywood is proud to serve as the Premiere Hotel Partner of the LA Pride Parade & Block Party.
LA Pride Parade partners include: Delta Air Lines – the Official Airline of LA Pride, our Icon Sponsors: Toyota, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board; Activist Sponsors: Corona, Glamazon, H&M; Advocate Sponsors: AEG, including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy, AEG Presents, and AXS, Bigo Live, Coca-Cola, Google, Hulu, L’Oreal Groupe, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, National Football League, Nordstrom, Optum, Starbucks, UGG, UCLA Health, Univision, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Honda; Ally Sponsors: Activision, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Dignity Health California, Enterprise Mobility, FOX PRIDE, Justice for Renters, LVMH, Orangetheory Fitness, Princess Cruises, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Target, as well as returning Official Television Broadcast & Streaming Partner ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, Official Radio & Media Partner iHeartMedia Los Angeles. And also thank you to our Block Party Sponsors who include: The Southern California Chevy Dealers, and Petco. A&CO (www.aubryandco.com) serves as LA Pride’s official partnership agency of record.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the Official Transit Partner of LA Pride, is activating three station “take-overs” in honor of LA Pride Weekend. On Saturday, June 8, the Chinatown station that services the festival will be be renamed LA Pride Nation Station, and on Sunday, June 9, the stations that service the Parade and Block Party, Hollywood/Highland, and Hollywood/Vine will be renamed Hollywood & PRIDE-land, and Hollywood & PRIDE, respectively. All three stations will get new signage and other fun co-branding. For just $3.50 round-trip, parade goers can take Metro’s B and D Lines to Hollywood & PRIDE-land or Hollywood & Pride stations. Metro has many Park & Ride lots servicing the county – parking is just $3.00 per day, payable onsite.
If self-driving to LA Pride Parade and Village, vehicles can access parking and the event site via Vine Street or Gower Street. For additional information about parking and transportation, please visit https://hollywoodpartnership.com/experience-hollywood/parking.
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