LA PRIDE ANNOUNCES 2023 GRAND MARSHALS
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 15, 2023)-Christopher Street West Association (CSW) – the 501(c)3 nonprofit that has produced the iconic LA Pride celebration for more than 50 years – announced today that queer comedian, actor, activist, Margaret Cho, has been name the 2023 LA Pride Parade Icon Grand Marshal. “I’m thrilled and incredibly honored to be the Icon Grand Marshal,” said Cho. “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.” 
The five-time GRAMMY and Emmy nominee has been an outspoken advocate of anti-racism, anti-bullying, and LGBTQ+ rights, while nurturing her legendary stand-up career that has yielded over ten comedy tours. Cho’s recent television appearances include Season 2 of The Flight Attendant (HBO Max), Season 2 of Hacks (HBO Max), and the Netflix is a Joke comedy specials, Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration, recorded right here in LA at the Greek Theater.
Legacy Grand Marshal. CSW is also planning a custom tribute to Emmy-winner Leslie Jordan as the Legacy Grand Marshal, a new grand marshal designation to posthumously celebrate those who have made an everlasting impact on the hearts and lives of our community. The parade contingent will consist of a custom vehicle, and a small group of Leslie’s friends and family. 
“We are overjoyed by Christopher Street West’s heartfelt recognition to name Leslie as LA Pride’s Legacy Grand Marshal,” said his sister, 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.” Leslie may be gone but he will never be forgotten, and we miss him terribly!
Community Grand Marshal. CSW has chosen the ACLU of Southern California to be this year’s Community Grand Marshals, as they celebrate their 100th anniversary of fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights. Did you know: In 1970, the ACLU SoCal helped CSW successfully sue the Los Angeles Police Commissioner to obtain a parade permit. The result was the first LA Pride Parade, and the first permitted gay parade in the world. 
“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.” To celebrate, the ACLU SoCal is organizing a special drag performance presented by and staged by Morgan McMichaels, to the music by 13-time Oscar nominee, Diane Warren.
The LA Pride Parade 2023 will air live, 11am-1pm, on long-time broadcast partner KABC/ABC7 on Sunday, June 11 beginning at 11:00 a.m. PT. It will also air nationally on ABC News Live and Hulu, and wherever viewers stream ABC7 including abc7.com and the ABC7LA mobile app. Anchor Ellen Leyva and reporter Christiane Cordero from ABC7 Eyewitness News will co-host the ABC7 broadcast.
To read more about the parade route, LA Pride Village, the free sreet fair adjacent to the Parade, and the best way to attend all the festivities in-person, click here!
