Ronnie Kroell and Laverne Cox to Join Pride Parade as Celebrity Marshals!
7 June 2010 - Boston Pride is delighted to announce that Ronnie Kroell and Laverne Cox will join our 40th Anniversary Celebration as Celebrity Marshals. See their bios below, as we honor them for their contribution to the community!
Celebrity Marshal: Ronnie Kroell
Global audiences were first introduced to this handsome mid-westerner on season one of Bravo’s Make Me a Super Model. Ronnie walked away the runner-up, but with the larger prize -- winning the "Fan Favorite," beloved by all ages, genders, sexualities, races, ethnicities, for his gracious goodness. Well before the world knew of Ronnie's sweet soulfulness via MMASM, Ronnie was working in Human Rights in his hometown of Chicago, educating through the arts on matters of diversity and multi-culturalism.
Since MMASM, Ronnie has balanced his successful modeling career in NYC - runway work for Philip Sparks, Loris Diran, Malan Breton, Richie Rich and featured cover model for both Instinct and Next magazines, and of course Playgirl June 2010 issue! - with his continued work as a Human Rights Activist, as a Political Science student at The New School, and as Trustee of GeekNerdWonk Charitable Foundation that is "Helping Charities Help Themselves". Ronnie is currently working on developing a fragrance line and filming a new reality tv drama that marries Queer as Folk, Sex and the City, & The Hills.
Ronnie believes that anything is possible and challenges all those he interacts with to never give up on their dreams and to simply be themselves. Without the support of his loving family & friends, his mentors, and his incredible fans he would not be where he is today and Ronnie is so thankful as he looks forward to the adventures ahead. One thing is for sure, wherever Ronnie goes - he goes with his whole heart.
Celebrity Marshal: Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox made television history when she became the first African American transgender woman to appear on an American reality show with her appearance as a finalist on VH1's "I Want to Work for Diddy."
She accepted the GLAAD media award for Outstanding Reality Program for "I Want to Work For Diddy." Laverne’s popularity on “Work For Diddy led to her starring in her own show on VH1 called “TRANSform Me” based on the original concept by Laverne and her partners at her production company Complete World Domination.
“TRANSform Me” is a groundbreaking makeover show which explores the concept of transformation drawing from the universal aspects of transgender transformation. “TRANSform Me” is the first show on a mainstream network to star three transgender women.
As an actress Laverne has guest starred on "Law and Order", "Law and Order: SVU", and HBO’s "Bored to Death." She recently starred in the forthcoming independent film "Uncle Stephanie." Her other film credits include "Bronx Paradise," "The Kings of Brooklyn" and "Daughter of Arabia."
Laverne's Message
Inspired by her own journey of self-acceptance and reinvention, Laverne loves sharing the power of personal transformation.
On her hit VH! makeover show “TRANSform Me” she has taken her message, infused with some high octane glamour, around the country. Laverne has felt for years that being transgender represents the ultimate makeover. If she can find the courage, savvy and aesthetic prowess to become the woman she has always dreamt of being, then anyone can.
Laverne believes that personal change starts with self-acceptance and love. Each episode of “TRANSform Me” is punctuated post credits with Laverne’s voice encouraging, “Girl, own it, feel it, live it, love it.”...and that sums it up.
Celebrity Marshal Announced!
7 May 2010 - Boston Pride is delighted to announce that Alexis Arquette will join our 40th Anniversary Celebration as Celebrity Marshal. Alexis will be accompanying the Rainbow Flag in the Parade!
Celebrity Marshal: Alexis Arquette
Alexis Arquette was born Robert Arquette in Los Angeles, California, to Brenda "Mardi" Olivia (née Nowak), an actor, poet, theater operator, activist, acting teacher and therapist, and Lewis Arquette, an actor and director. Arquette’s siblings are actors Rosanna, Patricia, Richmond and David. Arquette is also the sister-in-law of actress Courteney Cox, who is married to her brother David. At the age of twelve, Arquette’s first job was in 1982 where she was cast as "this little kid who’s on a ride with all these women and whatnot" in the music video "She’s a Beauty" by The Tubes. In 1986 Arquette debuted on the big screen with an uncredited bit part as "Alexis," the white-faced friend/bandmate of the sexually ambivalent, angst filled teenager Max Whiteman in the classic hit comedy "Down and Out in Beverly Hills." At twenty-two, Arquette landed her first significant acting role, playing a transvestite named Georgette in "Last Exit to Brooklyn." Sixteen years later, she went through her own transition from male to female, an experience that was documented in the film "Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother," which debuted at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.Arquette is also known for her work in the hit film "The Wedding Singer" and "VH1's The Surreal Life."
Grand and Honorary Marshals Announced!
5 May 2010 - The community has voted and Boston Pride is pleased to introduce its 2010 Grand and Honorary Marshals:
- Grand Marshal: BAGLY and Grace Sterling Stowell
- Grand Marshal: Don Gorton, Esq. III
- Honorary Marshal: Senator Ted Kennedy
Grand Marshal: BAGLY and Grace Sterling Stowell
The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth (BAGLY) provides weekly and monthly social activities and special events for people ages 22 and under. These activities provide anopportunity for youth to socialize, have fun and develop a sense of personal and community identity. BAGLY has a Halloween Dance, Winter Ball, and the world's first and largest LGBT Prom. BAGLY also has HIV, STD, Drugs, and Alcohol education and prevention programs in place. BAGLY actively educates andempowers youth in making wise decisions regarding their health. Every other Wednesday BAGLY offers free HIV testing and counseling. For health care concerns and other needs BAGLY makes referrals to the appropriate LGBT friendly healthservice providers. BAGLY now offers a new program called "The Queer Activist College." The program offers a variety of opportunities to learn more about queer activism and build life-lasting leadership skills. Courses in the "college" include public speaking, anti-racism, leadership, meeting facilitation, and more. In 2010, BAGLY is celebrating its 30th year!
Grace Sterling Stowell is BAGLY's Executive Director, and served as a volunteer adult advisor with the organization since it began in 1980. She formed BAGLY's Adult Advisory Board in 1986. She was hired as a part-time director in 1995, and became the full-time executive director of BAGLY in 1997. Stowell is a founding member of several local, state, and national organizations for GLBT youth, including the Healthy Boston Coalition for GLBT Youth, the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, and the National Advocacy Coalition on Youth and Sexual Orientation. She has also been active in the transgender community for many years, serving as a consultant and trainer for Gender Identity Support Services for Transgenders (GISST) and the Outreach Institute of Gender Studies, among others. Stowell received her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Lesley College in Cambridge in 1995 and was employed as the GLBT Health Access Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health from 1995 to 1997." In 2003, Grace became a member of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and currently serves on the steering committee as the Treasurer. In 2007, Grace became the vice chair for the Massachusetts Commission on GLBT Youth. Grace has been advocating for transgender youth since 1980 and became actively involved in transgender activism in 1986. In 2009, she was named a "Stonewall Trans Hero" by the Imperial Court Council and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). In 2010, she received the Susan J. Hyde Award from NGLTF for Longevity in the Movement, at the Creating Change conference.
Visit BAGLY's website for more information.
Grand Marshal: Don Gorton, Esq. III
Don Gorton, Esq. III has been an LGBT activist in Boston for more than 20 years and brings a wealth of history as well as support for new activists in our movement. He is currently a board member with Join The Impact MA, and chair of the anti-violence project. He was Chair of The MA Gay and Lesbian Political Alliance and Co-Chair of the Governor's Hate Crimes Commission. Don has dedicated his life to activism for the LGBT community. He has been instrumental in hate crimes legislation and reporting, a leader in grassroots activism, a stern advocate for police protection and accountability, a prolific writer with countless letters to the editor and elected officials. He continues to inspire new generations, recently joining to support the local GLAAD presence, and Equality Across America.
Visit Don's Wikipedia entry for more information.
Honorary Marshal: Senator Ted Kennedy
Senator Ted Kennedy was a champion for civil rights since his first term in the United States Senate in 1962. Over the years, Ted Kennedy supported legislation that promotes equal rights and fought closed-minded and discriminatory measures. Senator Kennedy was an unwavering supporter of the LGBT community, leading the charge on important legislation like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act and forcefully opposing discriminatory proposals, including the Defense of Marriage Act and the Federal Marriage Amendment. Senator Kennedy received a perfect 100% on all of HRC’s congressional scorecards (101st Congress-110th Congress).
Visit TedKennedy.org to learn more about Senator Kennedy's legacy.
The Boston Pride Committee Honorary Marshalship is a posthumous award given each year to a member of the LGBT community for recognition of their work on behalf of the LGBT community. This award was created in 2006 to honor people in our history whose strength, courage and dedication have helped shape and advance the LGBT community in the hopes of ensuring that we enjoy fair treatment, equal rights and on-going respect of our global community.
Vote for Parade Marshals!
14 April 2010 - Voting for the 2010 Boston Pride Parade Grand and Honorary Marshals is now open! VOTE HERE! The nominees are:
Grand Marshal
The nominees for Boston Pride Parade Grand Marshal are (in alphabetical order):
BAGLY (Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth) and Grace Sterling Stowell
The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth (BAGLY) provides weekly and monthly social activities and special events for people ages 22 and under. These activities provide anopportunity for youth to socialize, have fun and develop a sense of personal and community identity. BAGLY has a Halloween Dance, Winter Ball, and the world's first and largest LGBT Prom. BAGLY also has HIV, STD, Drugs, and Alcohol education and prevention programs in place. BAGLY actively educates andempowers youth in making wise decisions regarding their health. Every other Wednesday BAGLY offers free HIV testing and counseling. For health care concerns and other needs BAGLY makes referrals to the appropriate LGBT friendly healthservice providers. BAGLY now offers a new program called "The Queer Activist College." The program offers a variety of opportunities to learn more about queer activism and build life-lasting leadership skills. Courses in the "college" include public speaking, anti-racism, leadership, meeting facilitation, and more. In 2010, BAGLY is celebrating its 30th year!
Don Gorton, Esq. III
Don Gorton, Esq. III has been an LGBT activist in Boston for more than 20 years and brings a wealth of history as well as support for new activists in our movement. He is currently a board member with Join The Impact MA, and chair of the anti-violence project. He was Chair of The MA Gay and Lesbian Political Alliance and Co-Chair of the Governor's Hate Crimes Commission. Don has dedicated his life to activism for the LGBT community. He has been instrumental in hate crimes legislation and reporting, a leader in grassroots activism, a stern advocate for police protection and accountability, a prolific writer with countless letters to the editor and elected officials. He continues to inspire new generations, recently joining to support the local GLAAD presence, and Equality Across America.
Greater Boston PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians And Gays)
Greater Boston PFLAG works to create environments of understanding so that all people can live with dignity and respect through: Support to cope with an adverse society, Education to enlighten the public, and Advocacy to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Greater Boston PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. PFLAG offers multiple programs, including monthly group support meetings, confidential telephone support and information, parent-to-parent support, publications, Safe Schools Program teacher and student training, speakers bureau, community forums and evening programs, the Elsie Frank Scholarship Program, PTA/PTO training and parent programs, and Gay straight alliance assistance.
E. Denise Simmons
Denise Simmons is the former Mayor of Cambridge and was the first openly lesbian African-American Mayor in the country. She is a lifelong resident of Cambridge, with a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for Cambridge residents. She owns a small business and is closely attuned to the needs of small business owners. She is raising her grandchildren who are currently in Cambridge public schools. Her 10 years on the Cambridge School Committee attest to her commitment to the quality of public schools. Prior to serving on the School Committee, Denise served as Executive Director of the Civic Unity Committee of the City of Cambridge, working on equity and fairness. She is also a Justice of the Peace. Denise Simmons served four terms on the Cambridge City Council and was honored to have been elected to serve as Mayor by her colleagues onthe Council. Her obligations as Mayor included chairing the City Council and School Committee and representing the City in numerous official events. Simmons is a member of the Massachusetts Mayors Association; Massachusetts Democratic State Committee; the Massachusetts Municipal Association; and the Kids Council.
Honorary Marshal
The nominees for Boston Pride Parade Honorary Marshal are (in alphabetical order):
Senator Ted Kennedy
Senator Ted Kennedy was a champion for civil rights since his first term in the United States Senate in 1962. Over the years, Ted Kennedy supported legislation that promotes equal rights and fought closed-minded and discriminatory measures. Senator Kennedy was an unwavering supporter of the LGBT community, leading the charge on important legislation like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act and forcefully opposing discriminatory proposals, including the Defense of Marriage Act and the Federal Marriage Amendment. Senator Kennedy received a perfect 100% on all of HRC’s congressional scorecards (101st Congress-110th Congress).
Donna "Woody" Woodward
Donna Woodward, known to many as "Woody", was an icon of Boston Pride and the LGBT community, a founder of the Moving Violations Motorcycle Club, and a globetrotting lesbian adventurer. Woodward was a very familiar face at Boston Pride for many years; the iconic presence riding at the head of the parade, leading the Moving Violations crew and sporting her trademark rainbow mohawk.
Nominations for Parade Marshals Now Closed
1 January 2010 - The nominations for Boston Pride Marshals 2010 are now closed. The Boston Pride Committee will narrow down the list of nominees and place the top 5 on the ballot. Stay tuned...
Nominations for Parade Marshals Open!
15 December 2009 - The nominations for Boston Pride Marshals 2010 are now open! Please click here to nominate someone or an organization for Boston Pride Parade Marshal 2010. Deadline: December 31st!
Boston Pride Marshals 2010
1 September 2009 - Nominations for Boston Pride Marshals 2010 are not yet open. Please check back at a later date.