The New Orleans Pride Organization is celebrating its 10th Anniversary June 12-14 and has announced the Grand Marshals to lead the festivities.
Frank Perez / LGBT+ Archives Project: Frank Perez serves as President of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. He is a columnist for Ambush Magazine and has authored several books on New Orleans history, including In Exile (with Jeffrey Palmquist), Treasures of the Vieux Carre, and Southern Decadence in New Orleans (with Howard P. Smith). He is also the co-editor of the anthology My Gay New Orleans: 28 Personal Reminiscences on LGBT+ Life in New Orleans.
The mission of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana is to promote and encourage the protection and preservation of materials that chronicle the culture and history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community in Louisiana.
Princesse Stephaney: Being the Grand Marshal for Pride should not only consist of being proud of who you are as a person but being equally proud of those who strive to be their own version of a rainbow. Danny Starnes aka Princess Stephaney (bartender Mags 940) embodies that. She represents the community with grace and dignity while acting as a mentor and friend to those questioning their own existence around her. She loves discussing the City’s uniqueness and helps blast misconceptions of those coming from a more conservative background and lifestyle. In the process, she shatters unnecessary stereotypes which leads to a greater understanding of our gay community. Often seen supporting different Gay Krewes and charitable organizations throughout the City, Stephaney selflessly offers her time through humorous prose and style at different fundraising events.
Halloween New Orleans: For 35 years, Halloween New Orleans has been raising money for Project Lazarus, an assisted-living home for those with HIV/AIDS in New Orleans. HNO is run with an all-volunteer staff and all the money raised each year goes directly to Project Lazarus. The story of Halloween New Orleans is a story of the New Orleans gay community – a community coming together to share their love and sense of family, a community celebrating its unique culture and love of showmanship, a community coming to the aid of its own in the dark days of the AIDS crisis, and a community triumphing over challenges with a resilient, joyful spirit.
The Pride Organization is excited to have a diverse mix of Grand Marshals to celebrate 10 years of New Orleans Pride. For more information on events, fundraisers, and the Pride Organization, visit NewOrleansPrideFestival.com
