BOSTON—Boston Pride has announced the new theme for 2019 Pride season and marshals for the Pride Parade. The decisions on the theme and marshals were made through online voting by the community. This year’s theme “Looking Back … Loving Forward” represents the recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and is meant to encourage the community to reflect back on the many challenges and incredible victories of the LGBTQ+ community in that time.
“The new theme ‘Looking Back … Loving Forward’ acknowledges the people and Pride groups who have come before us who have helped us strengthen our community,” said Linda DeMarco, President of Boston Pride. “The fight for our rights must continue as well as fighting for our ability to love ourselves and each other freely without fear of hate or persecution.”
Boston Pride is also announcing this year’s marshals. The community voted Dale Mitchell, founder of the LGBT Aging Project, as Grand Marshal; Ava Glasscott, trans model and former Miss Trans USA Pageant contestant will serve as Marshal; and Honorary Marshal is the late Chris Harris, entertainment impresario and longtime supporter of the LGBTQ community, who passed away in January. The 2019 Pride Week kicks off with the annual Flag Raising at City Hall Plaza on Friday, May 31 and continues through Tuesday, June 11. The annual Boston Pride Parade and Festival are on Saturday, June 8.
“Boston Pride’s 2019 Parade Marshals represent a diverse spectrum of the LGBTQ community who have all made significant contributions,” said DeMarco. “We look forward to having Dale and Ava as marshals in the 2019 parade while we also honor the legacy of Chris Harris and his tremendous impact not just on Pride but on the entire the community.”
Grand Marshal Dale Mitchell
Dale convened Boston’s very first LGBT Aging Summit in 2001 and the LGBT Aging Project, where he was named Chair, followed soon thereafter. He has been a leading champion and advocate for LGBT older adults and caregivers in Massachusetts. He is CEO of Ethos, a Boston based elder service organization, and his passion is to make sure that LGBT older adults age with the dignity and respect they deserve. Dale has elevated the visibility of LGBT older adults in Boston and across the state. Because of Dale’s vision, today’s LGBT seniors—and those who follow in their footsteps—are able to thrive socially and with the necessary supports and providers that are culturally competent and LGBT inclusive.
Parade Marshal Ava Glasscott
Ava represented the State of Massachusetts in the Miss Trans USA Pageant 2018. She is the first post-op transgender contestant from New England to represent her Community in a National Pageant. The story of Ava’s journey as a trans model has been featured by NBC Boston and the WCVB-TV show “Chronicle.” Ava made a cameo in Amy Schumer’s 2018 movie “I Feel Pretty,” which was filmed in Boston. She also appeared in the documentary film “All Stars: The Changing Face of Drag (2016)”, which she promoted at RuPaul’s DragCon in Los Angeles.
Honorary Marshal Chris Harris
Chris Harris passed away in January 2019 and had helped Boston Pride secure entertainment for events as well as support volunteers with free passes to his club nights for working at Pride events. When Boston Pride hosted its first international Pride conference in 2012, Chris hosted all the delegates at his venues and treated each one as a VIP. To this day, Interpride members talk fondly about the warm welcome they received in Boston.
About Boston Pride
Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility, and dignity, we educate, communicate and advocate by building and strengthening community connections. Boston Pride Week 2019 will be held May 31- June 11.
[From a News Release]
