NEW ORLEANS – Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), has been selected as the Grand Marshal of the 2017 New Orleans Pride Parade, part of the seventh annual New Orleans Pride Festival. As Grand Marshal, Perry will have the honor of leading the 2017 Pride Parade on Saturday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m., through the French Quarter.
Being selected as Pride’s Grand Marshal acknowledges Perry for his contributions to Louisiana’s LGBTQA community. Perry was announced as the New Orleans Pride Grand Marshal at the Pride Announcement Party in January, selected by the New Orleans Pride Board of Directors who consider Perry a great fit for the position because of his human rights advocacy work on the legislative level, reps said. As a leader in the tourism industry, Perry has helped shape national travel policy by acting as a voice for what is fair and just to ensure New Orleans is a hospitable city for all, they said.
“It is an incredible honor to be named the 2017 New Orleans Pride Grand Marshal,” said Perry. “New Orleans is a very special place, where all are welcome to be true to themselves and feel embraced by the diversity and authenticity of this city. I am grateful to walk among thousands of others this weekend to celebrate LGBTQA issues, citizens and dreams. We are proud to edge ever closer to being one powerful and united community and we anticipate a joyous celebration with and for New Orleans Pride.”
The New Orleans Pride Festival is set to take place this weekend, June 9-11, for a weekend-long celebration of the New Orleans LGBTQA community and its allies. The New Orleans Pride Parade is the largest LGBTQA parade in Louisiana, with more than 2,700 participants and 70,000 spectators in 2016.