Palm Springs Parade Names Six Grand Marshals, Two Pride Royalty

PALM SPRINGS (CNS) - 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 today.
  

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.
  

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