Singer, actress and entrepreneur Janelle Monáe was named Thursday the grand marshal of next month’s WeHo Pride Parade, while social media star-turned-TV personality JoJo Siwa was named the event’s Next Gen Icon.
West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister said Monáe and Siwa “truly reflect the core values of our city.”
“Pride events give the diverse LGBTQ community a place to advocate for equality as well as a place to celebrate exactly who they are — exactly who they were meant to be,” Meister said in a statement. “As our icons join parade contingents rolling down Santa Monica Boulevard on Sunday, June 5, West Hollywood will give #WeHoPride Parade participants and spectators from around the world a safe space and a loving, accepting home.
“At this moment in history, with women’s rights and LGBTQ rights under attack, our icons stand as proud, outspoken beacons of light and hope for a better tomorrow,” she said.
West Hollywood has long been one of the top destinations globally for Pride festivities, but this year will mark the city’s inaugural WeHo Pride weekend, held June 3-5 and highlighted by the Sunday afternoon parade.
The weekend will begin Friday evening with the Dyke March and Women’s Freedom Festival. It will also include the OUTLOUD Raising Voices Music Festival, which will span all three days of Pride and feature performances, artist meet-and-greets, food and beverages.
The events will also coincide with the ongoing WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, which began Sunday and continues through June 30.
