SF Pride Announces Grand Marshals
Join our 2026 Grand Marshals, Peaches Christ, and Honey Mahogany at the Castro Theatre for the official Kickoff Variety Spectacular.
2026 Community Grand Marshals
Images and bios provided by Grand Marshals.
Marcel Pardo Ariza
they/he
Public Choice
Marcel Pardo Ariza is a proud Colombian trans migrant and a visionary force in the Bay Area’s cultural landscape. As an artist and activist, they transform cultural institutions into spaces of radical visibility and power for queer and trans people of color, often collaborating with performers, artists, policymakers, and community organizers. Marcel curated the retrospective of drag icon Juanita MORE! at the San Francisco Arts Commission and produced a groundbreaking trans history project featuring 33 trans and intersex Bay Area leaders, now in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. From the HIRE TRANS FOLKS mural and campaign with the Transgender District to public programs across the city, Marcel’s practice insists that trans people are essential to culture and deserving of joyful, safe, and dignified lives. As a board member of El/La Para TransLatinas, they fiercely advocate for the safety, employment, and dignity of trans immigrants in the face of escalating anti-immigrant and anti-trans attacks.
John Weber
he/him
Board Choice
John Weber is a dedicated public servant, community leader, and advocate whose work is rooted in uplifting others, expanding access, and building stronger, more inclusive communities. He currently serves as a 1250 Recruiter with the City & County of San Francisco’s Department of Human Resources, Workforce Development Division, where he connects individuals — particularly those from historically underserved communities — to meaningful career opportunities in public service. John’s impact extends far beyond his professional role. He is a longstanding and deeply respected leader within San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community, known for his commitment to visibility, philanthropy, and collective empowerment. He has held several distinguished titles, including Mr. Gay San Francisco (2007–2008) and the 36th Emperor of San Francisco, where he made history as the first Black individual elected to that role. During his reign, he helped raise over $75,000 for community organizations supporting vulnerable populations. Continuing his legacy of leadership, John later served as Chairperson of the Imperial Council of San Francisco Board of Directors (2014–2015) during the organization’s historic 50th Jubilee Anniversary, becoming the first Black Chairperson in the organization’s history. His leadership during this milestone moment reflected both his commitment to honoring legacy and advancing inclusion within the community. John also served as King VII of Krewe de Kinque, a San Francisco-based Mardi Gras organization founded to raise funds for survivors of Hurricane Katrina. As a native of New Orleans and a Katrina survivor, he brought both personal experience and purpose to this role — helping mobilize resources and support for displaced families rebuilding their lives. In addition, John has served on the San Francisco Pride Board, contributing to the leadership of one of the world’s most visible platforms for LGBTQ+ advocacy, celebration, and social change. John completed his Master’s Program course work in Broadcasting, Radio & Television from San Francisco State University, which informs his engaging and authentic communication style. At the heart of his work is a simple but powerful belief: When we invest in people, uplift their voices, and create access, we build communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Imani Rupert-Gordon
she/her
Member Choice
Imani Rupert-Gordon is the President of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR), one of the nation’s leading legal advocacy organizations working to advance the civil and human rights of LGBTQ people and their families. Under her leadership, NCLR continues to drive transformative change through groundbreaking litigation, progressive policy, and public education. Imani brings nearly two decades of visionary leadership to the movement for justice. Prior to joining NCLR, she served as Executive Director of Affinity Community Services, a Chicago-based social justice organization centering Black LGBTQ women. She also led the Broadway Youth Center at Howard Brown Health, providing life-saving support to LGBTQ youth experiencing housing instability. A nationally respected voice on LGBTQ rights, racial equity, and gender justice, Imani has been recognized for her impact and innovation across sectors. She was named to The Root 100, celebrating the most influential Black leaders in the country, and received the prestigious Judith Butler Award from the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago for her bold promise and commitment to social change. As a trusted expert and advocate, Imani is regularly featured in national media including The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, NPR, ABC, CBS, and Fox, offering critical insights on the intersectional issues shaping our time. Imani holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She leads with clarity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to building a more just and inclusive world.
Trans: Thrive
Public Choice
Pride started with trans people fighting to exist. TransThrive keeps that legacy alive every single day. For over 20 years, TransThrive has been a community-led wellness and empowerment drop-in center created by and for transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) communities in San Francisco. TransThrive aims to create spaces, events, and services for the entire TGNC community. From case management and medical services (including primary care, HRT, and needle exchange), to mental health and substance use support, to housing and benefits assistance and workforce development, to social groups and special events, to a drop-in center (with snacks and refreshments, clothing closet, and a computer lab), TransThrive has it all! But TransThrive is more than a service provider. It’s a space where TGNC individuals can access real support, build community, and step into leadership. TransThrive is an incarnation of the transgender drop-in started by UCSF in 2005 and transferred to San Francisco Community Health Center (SFCHC) in 2007. In 2024, TransThrive opened an 8,000-square-foot, standalone facility on Pine Street — the first of its size in San Francisco and dedicated entirely to transgender health and wellness. Now, TransThrive serves nearly 1,000 individuals annually. TransThrive operates on an intentional “by us, for us” model, prioritizing trans people of color, unhoused trans individuals, trans young people, people living with or at risk for HIV. All services are designed by, delivered by, and led by its community. TransThrive also addresses the bigger picture: housing instability, economic inequity, and the reality that affirming care is still hard to find. By integrating services and centering dignity, TransThrive offers a model that’s both practical and deeply human. TransThrive has become a nationally recognized model for what culturally responsive, gender-affirming care can look like when trans communities themselves create the programming and conditions that are necessary to thrive. At a time when trans lives are under attack nationwide, TransThrive stands unwaveringly with and for the TGNC community as a refuge, loving and joyful space, and act of resistance. As an Organizational Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride, TransThrive honors the resilience and leadership of TGNC communities — and the ongoing work of building a world where everyone can thrive.
Ms. Bob Davis
she/her
Board Choice
Ms. Bob Davis, founder and director of the Louise Lawrence Transgender Archive — the only independent physical transgender archive in the United States — has preserved and researched trans history for over 50 years. Her public archive supports scholars and students nationwide. She publishes on trans history and speaks to LGBTQ and non-LGBT audiences at colleges, universities, museums, churches, conferences, and San Quentin’s first Pride Day. She has curated exhibits at the GLBT History Museum, Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, Vacaville Museum, Solano Pride Center, and TGIJP’s Black Trans Cultural Center. She was the first transgender tenured professor at San Francisco City College and led policy reforms on gender identity.
Roger Doughty
he/him
Lifetime Achievement
Roger Doughty has been an activist and leader in the LGBTQ movement for nearly 40 years. Since 2002, he has been president of Horizons Foundation, Bay Area’s LGBTQ community foundation. During Roger’s tenure at Horizons, the foundation has dramatically increased its grantmaking, capacity, and overall asset base. Even as he has strengthened the foundation’s principal focus on the Bay Area community, he simultaneously led Horizons to have national and international impact as well through efforts around marriage equality, reproductive justice, the fight against extremist anti-LGBTQ hate, and multi-year efforts to increase financial resources for LGBTQ causes and nonprofits of every kind. Knowing that our fight for full freedom, equality, and dignity still has a long road ahead, Roger inspired the creation and growth of the LGBTQ Community Endowment Fund, which will support Horizons’ grantmaking to the community for future LGBTQ generations. Prior to joining Horizons Foundation, he served as executive director of the Center on Halsted, the Chicago LGBTQ community center, leading its early transition from a service organization to a comprehensive community center – now one of the largest in the country. He also worked as the Director of Programs at the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, where he oversaw the Center’s dozens of programs. Before working in the LGBTQ movement, Roger provided legal and advocacy services to refugees and helped lead critical early efforts to train attorneys to represent LGBTQI people fleeing persecution. In volunteer capacities, Roger has served as Board member and chair of OutRight Action International, the world’s leading LGBTQI human rights organization, as well as on the boards of Northern California Grantmakers and Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom. He also led Washington D.C.’s (then-named) Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance during the height of the AIDS epidemic and widespread legislative scapegoating at the federal level. Roger lives with his husband, Royce Lin, in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.
Other Pride Honors & Recognition
Heritage of Pride Awards
Eight award categories honoring exceptional service, creativity, advocacy, and historic contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. Includes both Heritage and Commemoration Awards.View Awards
SF Pride Golf Tournament
Join us for a day of fun, community, and fundraising at our annual golf tournament. Support SF Pride while enjoying a great day on the course.