Atlanta, Georgia. – The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) is pleased to announce that the 2015 Atlanta Parade Grand Marshals have been selected!
The Grand Marshals are comprised of individuals and organizations, residing or based in Georgia who are recognized for their outstanding working advancing LGBTQ equality in Atlanta and across Georgia.
The 2015 Atlanta Pride Parade Grand Marshals are:
- Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC)
- Swami Jaya Devi Bhagavati
- Stefani Blackmon
- Ulester Douglas
- La Trina P. Jackson
- Raynae’ Jones
- Gus Kaufman, Jr., Ph.D.
- Tracee McDaniel
- Daniel Ashley Pierce
- Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN)
- Charles Henry Stevens
- Trans* and Friends
For more information regarding these individuals and organizations, please click here.
Atlanta Pride Committee Executive Director, Buck Cooke, said, “The honorees for 2015 represent a wonderful cross-section of the work being done in our LGBTQ community. From Pride organizing to transgender activism, from education to commerce, these individuals are changing the way that LGBTQ Georgians live their lives and experience equality across our state.”
APC Incoming Executive Director, Jamie Fergerson, added, “Our grand marshals are individuals and organizations who are working tirelessly – and often thanklessly – to advance social, legal, and economic justice for LGBTQ individuals and allies. Their dedication to service is an inspiration and a call to action for all members of our community to find a way to make a positive change in the world. Atlanta Pride seeks to recognize the Grand Marshals’ contributions and highlight the areas in which we have made progress towards equality as well as those areas in which we are still working towards fairness and equality.”
The APC noted that for the fourth year in a row, nominations were solicited from the community earlier in the year and from that, APC received over 70 nominations, the most ever received in any single year by the organization.
Cooke stated, “We are so appreciative of all of the community members who took the time to submit nominations. Our membership carefully considered the field of nominees and it was difficult to narrow the field since so many deserving individuals and organizations were nominated.”
Fergerson detailed, “Grand Marshals will be featured in the Atlanta Pride Magazine, have a place of honor in the Atlanta Pride Parade, and have an opportunity to speak from stage during the Atlanta Pride Celebration in October.”
Cooke also expressed, “We also are incredibly appreciative of our sponsor, Community Smith, for hosting an invitation-only reception to honor our Grand Marshals in a few weeks. Their love for the community led them to want to host this event and we are so grateful.”
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About Atlanta Pride: The main purpose of the Atlanta Pride Committee (APC,) a 501 (c) 3 organization, is to promote unity, visibility and self-esteem among lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and queer persons and to promote a positive image in the Atlanta area and throughout the Southeastern United States through community activities and services.
The main mission of the APC is to provide lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender and queer persons with cultural and educational programs and activities which enhance mental and physical health, provide social support, and foster an awareness of the past and present contributions of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and queer persons, through community activities and services, including an annual Pride event.
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