Wilson Cruz, Dr. Demetre, Aaron Philip to Grand Marshal NYC Pride

One step closer to Pride.

After announcing a ban on police organizations, NYC Pride has named its honororary Grand Marshals for 2021. Ceyenne Doroshow, Wilson Cruz,, Aaron Philip, Menaka Guruswamy, and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis will help to lead the event. Organizers said some elements of an in-person march will take place this year, in addition to a virtual event. The NYC Pride March broadcast special will cover the parade, with a live streamed virtual experience immediately following, featuring groups and organizations that would normally be marching in the parade.

"This year's Grand Marshals are the embodiment of the theme for NYC Pride 2021, 'The Fight Continues,'" Bansri Manek, director, NYC Pride March, said in a statement. "Their dedication to the continued fight has created a better future for individuals throughout the LGBTQIA+ community, and the bold courage they've demonstrated sends a clear message to the leaders of future generations about the importance of fighting for what you believe in. They also drive home the key themes of our Grand Marshal categories, including Trans Rights, Social Justice, Behind-the-Scenes, and Youth Activism."

Ceyenne Doroshow is an activist, researcher, and organizer in the trans and sex worker rights' movements. She is the founder and executive director of G.L.I.T.S., which provides holistic care to LGBTQ+ sex workers. She also serves on the board of directors for various organizations like SWOP Behind Bars, Caribbean Equality Project, SOAR Institute, SWP, TGJIP of San Francisco, and NYTAG. She was named to our Out100 list in 2020.

Wilson Cruz was the first out gay actor to play an out gay role in a television series with his portrayal of Rickie Vasquez on ABC's My So Called Life." He's also appeared in 13 Reasons Why on Netflix and Hulu's The Bravest Knight. The 2020 Out 100 cover star currently portrays Dr. Hugh Culber in the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Discovery, which bagged a GLAAD award last year.

Aaron Rose Philip was the first black, trans, and physically disabled model to be represented by a major modeling agency. She was discovered through her efforts to bring visibility to the lack of trans women of color, much less anyone with a disability, represented in the fashion industry via her social media. The trailblazer has worked towards a more inclusive industry through her editorial efforts in i-D, Dazed, Vogue, Allure, and W magazines, as well as campaign features for Moschino, Sephora, Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein. We named her to our Out100 list in 2019.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis is currently the Director of the Center of Disease Control's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. He has been internationally recognized as an expert in HIV prevention, and has focused much of his career on the prevention and treatment of HIV and other STIS, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, working to make testing, treatment, and resources, more equitable. He was named to the Out100 in 2019.

Manek said she and the organization were "thrilled to be acknowledging these remarkable individuals in this year's NYC Pride March.

The broadcast will air on ABC-7 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm Eastern on Sunday, June 27, as also on ABC7NY.com and ABC7 New York's Connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. All in-person elements will be produced in accordance with the most current guidelines for public events in the city. You can find out more about NYC Pride March and spectacular virtual experience with Grand Marshals Ceyenne Doroshow, Wilson Cruz, Aaron Rose Philips, at www.nycpride.org.

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