The Lavender Effect will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of LA Pride with a virtual Pride parade at noon on May 31 that will feature a wide array of LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly celebrities.
The event, which can be access through Zoom and Facebook Live, features grand marshal and host Alexandra Billings, the transgender activist and actress known for her recurring role on Amazon’s award-winning show “Transparent.
Among those participating are Lily Tomlin, Judith Light, Bruce Vilanch, Michael Musto, Chad Michaels, and Miss Barbie-Q. A full list of those participating as of publication of this story is at the bottom of the story.
Those interested can sign up for free virtual tickets and receive weekly updates about the event online.
The Lavender Effect is currently accepting applications from individuals and organizations who would like to participate in the virtual Pride Parade.
“We welcome LGBTQ+ activists, political leaders, and celebrities to help us reach a broad audience and to share the cumulative wisdom of LGBTQ+ pioneers,” says its announcement of the event. “Celebrating LGBTQ+ heritage and culture helps to demystify our diverse community, reduce shame, combat homophobia, and empower youth.
“Those who participate are encouraged to creatively and safely express your pride inside or outside, in motion or stationery, harmonic or monotone, dressed up or dressed down (no nudity please). State your gratitude for LGBTQ+ elders, and all they’ve endured to make the world a better place. Recite your post-pandemic vision. Tell all what pride means to you. If you are an activist, politician, organization, or celebrity interested in joining, please reach out to: VPP@TheLavenderEffect.org.”
The Lavender Effect is a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and sharing LGBTQ history. The current list of participants in the virtual Pride parade is as follows:
Lily Tomlin (Tony, Emmy and Grammy Winner; Grace & Frankie; 9 to 5); Judith Light (Tony Award and Emmy Award winner; The Politician, Who’s the Boss); Sean Hayes (Emmy Winner; Will & Grace); Audra McDonald (Emmy & Grammy Winner; The Good Fight); Betty Buckley (Tony Award Winner, Cats); Sandra Bernhard (Pose); Bradley Whitford (Emmy Winner; The Handmaid’s Tale; The West Wing); Kathryn Hahn (Transparent); Amy Landecker (Transparent); Sally Kirkland (Golden Globe Winner for “Anna”); Lindsay Pierce (Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway); Bruce Vilanch (Emmy Winner; comedian writer/actor); Michael Musto (journalist); Jason Stuart (Smothered; comedian); Chad Michaels (AJ and the Queen; Cher Impersonator); Drew Droege (Heathers); Miss Barbie-Q (actress/Drag Queen); Kay Sedia (AJ and the Queen; Chico’s Angels); Diane Anderson-Minshall (The Advocate); Mel England (Best Day Ever); Charles Bush (Drama Desk Award-winning Playwright & Actor); The Fruitcake Follies; Windy City Gay Men’s Chorus
Ron Galperin & Family (LA City Controller); Lindsey Horvath (Mayor, City of West Hollywood); Evan Wolfson (Founder/ED Freedom to Marry); Rabbi Denise Eger (Congregation Kol Ami); Richard Zaldivar (Founder/ED The Wall Las Memorias Project); Kathy Godwin (President PFLAG); Vinnie Pompei (Director HRC); Gail Rolf (Co-Founder, Friends of Project 10); Joel Gemino (Youth & Family Services, The Center Long Beach); Wayne Bessen (Executive Director, Truth Wins Out); Alan Downs, Ph.D. (Psychologist & Author, The Velvet Rage); Cynthia Ruffin (Director, Community Relations & Recruitment, COLORS); Steve Krantz, Ph.D. (LA LGBT Youth Advocates Coalition); Brian DeShazor (CEO, This Way Out Radio); Jae O’Dougherty (Founder, Non-Binary Union Los Angeles); Andy Sacher (Founder/Director, The Lavender Effect); Jim Anzide (Guided Tours Manager, The Lavender Effect)
