Comedian Margaret Cho, Actor Leslie JordanThe ACLU Named As Grand Marshalls
Christopher Street West Association (CSW), the esteemed 501(c)3 nonprofit organization behind LA Pride, has announced that the renowned queer comedian, actor, and activist Margaret Cho has been selected as the Icon Grand Marshal for the 2023 LA Pride Parade. With over 50 years of producing the iconic LA Pride celebration, CSW continues its tradition of honoring influential figures within the LGBTQ+ community.
Expressing her excitement and gratitude, Cho stated, “I’m thrilled and incredibly honored to be the Icon Grand Marshal. We need this Pride more than ever. I have been attending Pride celebrations since 1978, and this time around, the need to celebrate as well as unite is more urgent than it has ever been. Our love is greater than their hate.”
Margaret Cho, a five-time GRAMMY and Emmy nominee, has been a vocal advocate for anti-racism, anti-bullying, and LGBTQ+ rights throughout her career. Alongside her advocacy work, Cho has built a legendary stand-up career, captivating audiences with her comedic genius across more than ten comedy tours. Recently, she has made appearances on notable television shows such as Season 2 of “The Flight Attendant” (HBO Max), Season 2 of “Hacks” (HBO Max), and Netflix’s comedy specials, “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration,” recorded at the Greek Theater in LA.
In addition to the Icon Grand Marshal, CSW has introduced a new grand marshal designation, the Legacy Grand Marshal, to honor those who have left an enduring impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Emmy-winner Leslie Jordan, who passed away, has been posthumously named the Legacy Grand Marshal. A custom tribute will be presented, featuring a parade contingent consisting of a specially designed vehicle and a small group of Leslie’s friends and family.
His sister, Jana “Cricket” Jordan, expressed her joy, stating, “We are overjoyed by Christopher Street West’s heartfelt recognition to name Leslie as LA Pride’s Legacy Grand Marshal. This honor further solidifies the positive impact he made in the world, but more importantly for the LGBTQ+ community. His spirit continues to bring love and light.”
Recognizing the ACLU of Southern California’s century-long commitment to fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights, CSW has chosen them as this year’s Community Grand Marshals. The ACLU SoCal played a pivotal role in the history of LA Pride, assisting CSW in successfully suing the Los Angeles Police Commissioner in 1970 to obtain a parade permit.
This resulted in the first-ever LA Pride Parade and the first permitted gay parade worldwide. Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU SoCal, remarked, “For a century, we’ve been on the front lines fighting for people to be their true, authentic selves. We’re honored to be the Community Grand Marshal and proud to love, live among, and protect LGBTQ+ Californians.”
To celebrate their 100th anniversary, the ACLU SoCal will organize a special drag performance presented and staged by Morgan McMichaels, with music by 13-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren.
The highly anticipated LA Pride Parade 2023 will be broadcast live from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, June 11. Long-time broadcast partner KABC/ABC7 will air the parade locally, while it will also be available nationally on ABC News Live and Hulu. Viewers can stream the broadcast on ABC7 platforms, including abc7.com and the ABC7LA mobile app. The ABC7 Eyewitness News team, featuring anchor Ellen Leyva and reporter Christiane Cordero, will co-host the broadcast.
