Palm Springs Pride announces six grand marshals, special honorees for 2025 parade
The honorees include activists, journalists and community leaders who embody this year’s theme of “Be Heard.”
Palm Springs Pride has selected six grand marshals for its 2025 parade, recognizing individuals whose advocacy work reflects the event’s theme of “Be Heard.”
The grand marshals are Sister Roma, Holly Near, Peter Daut, Esther Loewen, Renae Punzalan and Jasper Price. Each was chosen for their dedication to promoting inclusion and building community connections in the Greater Palm Springs area.
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“Amidst a rising tide of challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community nationwide, from legislative bans on gender-affirming care and curriculum censorship to a surge in anti-trans legislation, the dedication of these Grand Marshals is more crucial than ever,” said Jasmine Sullivan Waits, executive director of Palm Springs Pride. “They stand as a powerful force against a coordinated effort to silence LGBTQ+ stories and erase their presence from public life. They remind us that our stories cannot be silenced, and our community will not be erased.”
Sister Roma serves as Grand Marshal after nearly four decades with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in San Francisco. She joined the organization in 1987 and has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes while helping create social movements including the #MyNameIs campaign.
Holly Near, designated Celebrity Grand Marshal, has spent more than 40 years creating music that promotes activism and social equity. The singer and storyteller uses her performances to connect with audiences who support peace, justice and feminism.
Peter Daut, the Community Grand Marshal, works as a six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist for KESQ News Channel 3. He hosts fundraising events for various causes, including the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, and uses his media platform to promote local nonprofits.
Three individuals will serve as Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshals. Esther Loewen, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and podcast host, focuses on creating inclusion and celebrating authenticity through her work and her podcast, Transgender Woman Talking.
Renae Punzalan, a native Chamorro from Guam, directs Youth Services at the Transgender Health & Wellness Center. She advocates for transgender rights through her work at the Marsha P. Johnson LGBTQ+ Youth Drop-In Center and helps organize events such as Trans Pride and Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Jasper Price directs Trans & Gender Expansive Programs at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, working to expand resources and programming throughout the Coachella Valley. He focuses on mental health and education for youth and adults with a background in Gender Studies and Social Work.
The parade will also honor Douglas Woodmansee and Marshall Pearcy, known as Dottie and Maude, as Palm Springs Pride Royalty for Life. The couple has been together since 1976 and has participated in the Pride Parade since 1995. As Les Dames du Soleil, they have helped raise more than $2 million for local HIV/AIDS charities.
The Palm Springs Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9.
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