Malaysia Walker and Will Antill will lead the 2025 Gay Easter Parade.
Malaysia Walker was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, who now resides in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is very familiar with many obstacles faced by the transgender communities throughout the South. Her passion for equality, respect, and acknowledgement of the issues faced in the LGBTQIA+ community is the driving force behind her advocacy. Malaysia has worked with publications such as: Fast Company, The Clarion Ledger, and Freedom for All Americans, just to name a few, with hopes of inspiring many to live in their authenticity. She is also a local Drag Performer, known by Malaysia Ravor Black, and has graced many stages all over the country. She is a seamstress and costume designer, with her own business, who has had the privilege of costuming people in the City of New Orleans and abroad, which provides an opportunity for her to bring peoples’ dreams to life. She currently reigns as Miss Pride of Tupelo, and has held previous titles, inclusive of, Miss Oxford Pride, and Miss Black Trans International. Finally, Malaysia enjoys empowering others to not only embrace but stand strong and proud in their authenticity.
Will Antill is a native New Orleanian and currently manages and bartends at Crossing. He began bartending in 1979 at Fazzio Garden Bowl. He joined the Navy in 1983 and served on the battleship Iowa BB-61 and USS Hue City CG-66. He lived in Jacksonville, Florida briefly before returning to New Orleans in 1998, where he worked as a contractor for Entergy as a street light technician. He has bartended at Rawhide, Café Lafitte in Exile, and The Double Play. At The Double Play, he began helping organize the Purple Party, an annual fundraiser for the Gay Easter Parade. Antill has also organized fundraisers for various gay Carnival krewes and the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. His previous titles include Grand Reveler II of the Krewe de la Rue Royale Revelers and Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLV.
The Gay Easter Parade, now in its 24th year, is produced by AMBUSH Magazine and serves as a fundraiser for Food for Friends.
The Gay Easter Parade rolls on Easter Sunday, April 20 at 4:30 pm in the French Quarter.
