May 4, 2015

Ian McKellen & Derek Jacobi Among Marshalls Announced for NYC Pride March

EDGE READ TIME: 2 MIN.

Heritage of Pride, organizers of NYC Pride and the annual New York City Pride March, today announced the event's Grand Marshals for 2015. This year's marshals are:

  • Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ian McKellen, both openly gay English actors currently co-starring in the PBS series "Vicious." Sir Jacobi is primarily known for his stage work and in films like "The King's Speech" and "Gladiator" while Sir McKellen is often recognized for his recurring roles as Magneto in the "X-Men" films and Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" films.

  • J. Christopher Neal, New York-based artist and leader of FluidBiDesign, an advocacy group and a community for fluid men of African descent; and

  • Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, considered the mother of the Ugandan LGBT rights movement and co?founder of the first Uganda Pride celebration.

    "In a year where Americans look to the decisions of our highest court, it's especially important NYC Pride point a light to worldwide issues reaching far beyond marriage equality," said March Director David Studinski. "Our Marshals demonstrate advocacy on drastically different stages, but all with the same goal in mind. No matter where they work their words, they give voice to the ongoing narrative of our civil rights battle. Pride is a global movement, and these individuals remind us that even with great progress made, much remains before we complete the dream."

    The March, the largest in the United States, commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots, widely known as the birthplace of the LGBT equality movement. The 2015 March will also mark the important Supreme Court decision on marriage equality expected to be announced in June.

    Acknowledging both local and worldwide community achievements and the need to continue the fight, the 2015 theme for Pride is "Complete The Dream."

    "This year NYC Pride will attract more than 2 million people for a week of celebration and fun, but in Uganda, people are literally risking their lives to attend a Pride event," commented Managing Director Chris Frederick. "The symbolism of having a hometown leader, a daring international pioneer, and two beloved and successful movie stars standing side-by-side represents everything we have accomplished and hope to accomplish around the globe."

    The marshals will ride vehicles along the two-mile route, which begins in Midtown Manhattan at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue. The March proceeds downtown via Fifth Avenue, turning west along 8th Street into the West Village until a sharp turn onto Christopher Street at Sixth Avenue. Marchers continue down Christopher Street, past The Stonewall Inn, until the route disperses at Greenwich Street.

    The 2015 March steps off at noon on Sunday, June 28. Registration for interested groups is open through June 7, subject to availability, by visiting nycpride.org/events. Those interested in volunteering for NYC Pride events can do so at nycpride.org/volunteer.

    by EDGE

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