The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to Be Honored as Community Grand Marshal at LA PRIDE

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Christopher Street West (CSW), producers of LA PRIDE, has announced that the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force will be honored as the 2013 Community Grand Marshal at this year's parade, June 9, in West Hollywood. Each year CSW acknowledges the work of one particular organization and this year chose the Task Force in honor of its 40th anniversary and the organization's mission to build the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"We are tremendously honored to be chosen as this year's Community Grand Marshal," said Rea Carey, executive director of the Task Force. "For 40 years, the Task Force has been the progressive voice of the LGBT movement, as well as the LGBT voice of the progressive movement and it will be our honor to march in the LA PRIDE parade and continue to speak out, loud and proud for LGBT equality."

In choosing the Task Force as this year's Community Grand Marshal, CSW cited the Task Force's mission of training activists and helping state and local organizations build campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation.  CSW also highlighted the Task Force as an organization that not only creates movements, but also builds successful ones through research and policy analysis.  This year celebrates the organization's 40th anniversary of creating change and swaying public opinion for the good of all people, CSW said.

Carey and Russell Roybal, deputy executive director of external relations at the Task Force, will lead the organization's contingent marching in the parade as well as participate in many of the LA PRIDE weekend activities.

The 2013 LA PRIDE Celebration, held in West Hollywood Park, is the largest gathering of the LGBT community in Southern California. The LA PRIDE Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, and travels westbound along Santa Monica Blvd. from Crescent Heights Blvd. to the main entrance of the LA PRIDE Festival at San Vicente Blvd. More than 400,000 are expected for this emotionally charged gathering that showcases the colorful diversity and creative participation of the LGBT community. In addition to the parade, LA PRIDE features live entertainment on multiple stages, headline performances, all new dance venues, numerous exhibitors, as well as food and drink vendors. For more information, visit www.lapride.org.

LA PRIDE won't be the only California celebration for the Task Force's 40^th anniversary. On September 29, the organization will return for "Celebrating 40 Years Los Angeles," a fundraising brunch to be held at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City. Guest speakers at the brunch will include Carey and U.S. Congressman Mark Takano, the first openly gay person of color elected to the House of Representatives. Takano is also being honored by LA PRIDE with the "Person of the Year" award.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force builds the power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community from the ground up. The Task Force is the country's premier social justice organization fighting to improve the lives of LGBT people and working to create positive, lasting change and opportunity for all. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. Contributions to the Task Force are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. For more information, visit www.theTaskForce.org or email [email protected].

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thetaskforce
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thetaskforce
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Blog: http://thetaskforceblog.org/
President Obama's message to the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyHI5Ea2VQQ

Contacts:
THE MURRY AGENCY
Richard Murry
or Shayna Marcos
(305) 531-5720
Email 
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SOURCE National Gay and Lesbian Task Force