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Palm Springs Pride 2025 Announces Grand Marshals and Pride Royalty, Honoring Six Trailblazing Activists
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The anticipation for the 2025 Palm Springs Pride Parade reached a new high this week as organizers announced the six honorees who will serve as Grand Marshals, representing a diverse spectrum of advocacy, creativity, and community leadership. Under the rallying cry of “Be Heard,” this year’s event aims to spotlight voices and stories that have shaped and fortified the Greater Palm Springs LGBTQ+ community, especially during a time of mounting legislative and social challenges nationwide .
The selection for Grand Marshal is one of the highest honors at Palm Springs Pride, reserved for those who demonstrate exceptional commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility, rights, and allyship. This year’s Grand Marshals are:
- Sister Roma: A legendary member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Sister Roma has been a powerful voice in LGBTQ+ activism since joining the order in 1987. Her work in HIV/AIDS education, fundraising, and the groundbreaking #MyNameIs campaign has made Roma a symbol of resilience and inclusivity within and beyond the Bay Area .
- Holly Near (Celebrity Grand Marshal): Known globally for her music and activism, Holly Near has spent over four decades creating songs that fuel movements for justice and equality. Her artistry has been intertwined with advocacy, using storytelling and song to inspire generations of LGBTQ+ people and allies .
- Peter Daut (Community Grand Marshal): An accomplished broadcaster and local advocate, Peter Daut has used his platform to elevate LGBTQ+ issues in the media and foster connections across communities in the Coachella Valley .
- Esther Loewen, Renae Punzalan, and Jasper Price (Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshals): These three activists have been recognized for their relentless commitment to visibility, intersectional advocacy, and support for transgender people and communities of color, embodying the spirit of Marsha P. Johnson’s legacy .
In addition to the Grand Marshals, Palm Springs Pride has bestowed the title of Pride Royalty for Life on Douglas Woodmansee and Marshall Pearcy—known affectionately as Dottie and Maude. Together since 1976, the couple has become an institution within the community, having raised more than $2 million for local HIV/AIDS charities over the past four decades . Their recognition as Pride Royalty celebrates not only their philanthropic achievements but also their unwavering commitment to visibility and love as an openly gay couple spanning nearly 50 years.
This year’s theme, “Be Heard,” resonates powerfully as LGBTQ+ communities across the United States face a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, attacks on gender-affirming care, and growing efforts to censor inclusive education . Jasmine Sullivan Waits, Executive Director of Palm Springs Pride, underscored the significance of the Grand Marshals’ work: “Amidst a rising tide of challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community nationwide, from legislative bans on gender-affirming care and curriculum censorship to a surge in anti-trans legislation, the dedication of these Grand Marshals is more crucial than ever. They stand as a powerful force against a coordinated effort to silence LGBTQ+ stories and erase their presence from public life. They remind us that our stories cannot be silenced, and our community will not be erased” .
The parade, set for Sunday, November 9, 2025, will bring together thousands of community members, allies, and visitors in a vibrant display of unity and pride. Each Grand Marshal will play a prominent role, serving as living symbols of hope, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for full equality .
Sister Roma, a fixture in San Francisco’s queer activism scene, has leveraged her persona and platform to address issues ranging from HIV/AIDS awareness to the fight against discriminatory policies on social media. Her involvement in the #MyNameIs campaign notably challenged Facebook’s real-name policy, highlighting the harm such rules can inflict on LGBTQ+ people and others who rely on chosen names for safety and expression .
Holly Near continues to inspire with her music and activism, engaging audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Her performances at Pride events and rallies across the country have amplified calls for justice and solidarity, reminding attendees of the power of art in movement-building .
The selection of Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshals—Esther Loewen, Renae Punzalan, and Jasper Price—highlights the intersectionality at the heart of modern LGBTQ+ advocacy. Each has worked extensively in the community, whether through local organizing, support for transgender youth, or championing racial and economic justice within and beyond Palm Springs .
Palm Springs Pride has long served as a beacon for LGBTQ+ visibility not only in the Coachella Valley but also across the Western United States. The parade and its honorees reflect the evolution of the movement—from early days of protest and resistance to today’s celebrations of diversity and calls for equity .
As the community prepares to gather, festival organizers stress the importance of remembering both the progress made and the ongoing work required to secure equal rights for all. This year’s Grand Marshals and Pride Royalty embody that dual commitment: to honor the past and to demand a future where every voice is valued.
For more information about the Palm Springs Pride Parade, scheduled for November 9, 2025, and details on participating in this year’s events, visit the official Palm Springs Pride website (pspride.org).
