Boston Pride has announced that Mayor Thomas Menino will be the Grand Marshal of the 2013 Boston Pride Parade.
TRT Archive Photo Women’s Dinner Party, 2013/Sean Sullivan
BOSTON, Mass. – Boston Pride is pleased to announce that Mayor Thomas Menino has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2013 Boston Pride Parade. In addition to its Grand Marshal, Boston Pride is honored to announce the late Jeanne Manford has been chosen as an Honorary Marshal.
The Boston Pride Parade is a march to celebrate and promote equal rights for the region’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and is the premier event of Pride Week. As one of the most popular Pride Parades in the country, organizations and individuals from around New England and beyond will walk together to advocate for inclusivity, equality and respect. The theme of the Boston Pride Parade this year is “Moving Forward…Proud, Strong, United “and represents the hardships that the LGBT community has persevered through and the drive to move forward together.
Mayor Menino was selected through an online vote. A national leader on neighborhood issues and as a strong ally to the LGBT community, Mayor Menino believes that government is about helping people. Elected five times as Mayor of Boston and five times as a City Councilor from Hyde Park, he has spent a lifetime building a better Boston for residents and businesses. Mayor Menino has always served as a strong advocate and supporter for Boston’s LGBT community. [pullquote]“As this is Mayor Menino’s last year serving as our city’s mayor, we are thrilled that he will be leading the Boston Pride Parade as it is a way for everyone to thank him for being a passionate supporter of Boston Pride and our LGBT community throughout his tenure.”[/pullquote]
“We are excited to name Mayor Menino as Boston Pride’s Grand Marshal this year,” said Boston Pride President Linda DeMarco. “As this is Mayor Menino’s last year serving as our city’s mayor, we are thrilled that he will be leading the Boston Pride Parade as it is a way for everyone to thank him for being a passionate supporter of Boston Pride and our LGBT community throughout his tenure.”
The community also voted to name Jeanne Manford as an Honorary Marshal, which is given posthumously. After her openly gay son was beaten in April 1972 for protesting news coverage of the gay rights movement, Jeanne Manford, an elementary school teacher in Flushing, Queens, NY, founded Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG,) the original ally organization uniting with LGBT people. PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education and advocacy. Jeanne passed away on January 8, 2013 but her advocacy and support will live on forever. [pullquote]The community also voted to name Jeanne Manford as an Honorary Marshal, which is given posthumously.[/pullquote]
Boston Pride Week 2013 will be held from May 31st through June 9th. This year’s theme is “Moving Forward … Proud, Strong, United.” Kicking the week o ff with the annual Flag Raising ceremony, 2013 Pride Week will also include Pride Day @ Faneuil Hall, the Royal Pageant, the Boston Pride Parade, the Boston Pride Festival, the Boston Pride Youth Dance, the Boston Pride Block Party: JP Edition, the Boston Pride Block Party: Back Bay Edition, a panel discussion on “LGBTs in Sports” and the first ever Pride Night @ Fenway Park.
More information and details for Boston Pride’s 2013 Pride Week can be found at www.bostonpride.org.
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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.
[From a News Release]
