Pride Houston 365 reveals 2026 Grand Marshals as city looks ahead to June parade and festival
ABC13 is the proud media sponsor of Pride Houston 365 and will stream the parade live on June 6 at 7 p.m.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Pride Houston 365's celebrations leading up to the annual festival and parade are underway, starting with the announcement of the organization's 11 Grand Marshal winners. That includes two people who were honored posthumously for their work in Houston's LGBTQ+ community.
"We are thrilled to honor the contributions of leaders whose advocacy, courage, authenticity, and service to our community are not only seen and celebrated, but inspire so many in our community to step forward, be visible, and create meaningful change. We celebrate them and their work as they embody the true spirit of Pride," said Pride President Kerry-Ann Morrison.
The official 2026 Pride Houston Grand Marshals are:
Organizational Grand Marshal
Heavy Hitters: This organization centers body positivity, brotherhood, and inclusion for men of size within Houston's LGBTQ+ community.
Ally Grand Marshal
Mandy Giles: Giles is the founder of Parents of Trans Youth, whose advocacy equips families with tools to support and affirm transgender children.
Female Identifying
Ashley Barnes: Barnes is a public health leader and HIV advocate whose work across Texas has expanded access to culturally responsive care, prevention, and community empowerment.
Gender Non-Conforming / Non-Binary Grand Marshal
Flawless Oz: An accomplished entertainer from Houston, Flawless Oz has earned titles such as 1st Alternate to Miss Gay Southwest America 2019/Prelim to Miss Gay America, Miss Gay Texas USofA Classic 2019/Prelim to Miss Gay USofA Classic, and Miss Gay Treasure Island USofA Classic 2019/Prelim to Miss Gay USofA Classic.
Male-Presenting Grand Marshal
Dr. Roy Rivera, Jr., PT, PhD, DPT, MCHES: Dr. Roy is a health care entrepreneur whose LGBTQ-owned businesses integrate inclusive care, workplace equity, and trans-affirming health practices.
Distinguished Grand Marshal
Jack Berger: A longtime supporter of Houston's LGBTQIA+ community, Jack has leadership experience across the Greater Houston LGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce, the Montrose Center, and mission driven nonprofit work.
Distinguished Grand Marshal
Brad Pritchett: A Houston-based LGBTQIA+ community leader and CEO of Equality Texas, Brad has led statewide efforts to protect and advance LGBTQIA+ rights for over 20 years.
Distinguished Grand Marshal
Kennedy Loftin: Receiving this honor posthumously, Kennedy is described as a compassionate humanitarian, Houston nonprofit leader, fundraising visionary, and LGBTQ+ activist. Loftin began his career at the Montrose Center in October 2015. Loftin increased private philanthropy 586% in his eight years at the center, from an annual average of $300,000 to a sustainable $2 million. Beloved to the community, Kennedy died at age 44 from brain cancer on Jan. 29, 2026.
Distinguished Grand Marshal
Carl Han: Carl was a beloved member of Houston's LGBTQ community whose legacy of compassion, activism, and generosity continues to inspire and uplift those he loved and served. Carl is being honored posthumously. He died on Jan. 26, 2026 at age 60.
Distinguished Grand Marshal
Judy Reeves
Trendsetter Grand Marshal
D'Trique Fitzgerald: D'Trique is the organizer and external president at Rice Pride, an undergraduate organization that seeks to offer support and promote education, awareness, and advocacy of LGBTQIA+ and Gender, Sexual orientation, and Romantic Orientation Minorities (GSRM) issues, supporting these individuals by providing a mental and physical safe space.
The winners were feted during an announcement Thursday at Café Brasil in the Montrose area of Houston.
How are grand marshals selected?
It starts with grand marshal nominations, which are open to the community. Individuals or organizations can also self-nominate.
The Grand Marshal Committee reviews all submissions and deliberates based on core guidelines, including whether nominees are Houston-based, the length and consistency of their service to the community, and the overall body of work and impact they've made.
Once the review process is complete, the committee, which is made up of board members and previous grand marshals, selects a group of finalists who best represent the diversity and values of the community for that year's parade.
The process then returns to the public.
Community voting takes place over the course of a few weeks to determine who will ultimately serve as the parade grand marshals.
2025 was the first time there were three distinguished grand marshals.
When is the 2026 Pride Parade?
The 2026 event will be Saturday, June 6, to account for festivities related to the FIFA World Cup later in the month, when the Pride parade is usually held.
The parade will be earlier for the first time in Pride Houston 365's 48-year history, kicking off Pride Month instead of closing it.
The official theme for 2026 is "Limitless," which represents expansion, elevation, and breaking boundaries across community, culture, and impact, according to organizers.
The 2025 parade was attended by an estimated 200,000 people, the group said.
ABC13 is the proud media sponsor of Pride Houston 365 and will stream the parade live.
The organization recently announced that Big Freedia the Queen Diva, a New Orleans rapper and artist known for her career in bounce music and collaborations with Beyoncé and Drake, will serve as an official host.
Missed last year's festivities? Catch up by watching the 2024 Pride Houston 365 Parade in the video player above or hit play on the clip below.
What should I know about Pride?
Pride Houston ranks as the third-largest pride event in the United States and among the top 20 internationally, according to the nonprofit.
Pride Houston is volunteer run and organizes celebrations including the Houston Pride Festival and Houston Pride Parade every year in Montrose or downtown.
The first Houston Gay Pride Parade happened back in 1979, commemorating the raid on New York's Stonewall Inn 10 years earlier.
