SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE ANNOUNCES 2025 COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHALS
Six Community Grand Marshals will be honored at the 55th annual event
SAN FRANCISCO – April 22, 2025 – San Francisco Pride proudly announces their Grand Marshals for the 55th Annual San Francisco LGBTQI+ Pride Celebration and Parade on June 28-29, 2025.
Underscoring this year’s theme, “Queer Joy is Resistance,” these five remarkable individuals and one local organization reflect the strength, diversity, and resilience of the LGBTQI+ community. They are being recognized for their ongoing advocacy, activism, leadership, and significant contributions to the Bay Area lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community or to society at large.
“Grand Marshals play a vital role at San Francisco Pride by embodying the spirit of the mission to educate the world, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture, and liberate our people,” said Joshua Smith, President of the San Francisco Pride Board of Directors. “They serve as powerful symbols of visibility and leadership — honoring those who have paved the way for progress while inspiring future generations to continue the fight for equality, justice, and inclusion. Their presence celebrates individual and collective achievements and reminds us of the ongoing work to ensure every community member is seen, heard, and valued.”
“I am so proud of the work of the Board, the members, and the public in selecting the Grand Marshals for 2025 San Francisco Pride,” said Suzanne Ford, Executive Director of San Francisco Pride. “These people and the organizations they represent are truly special. This year, showing up at SF Pride is a revolutionary act — we must be a beacon to the country and world that love and hope still exist! Young queer people everywhere will look to San Francisco as a place where they can still live their authentic lives unapologetically. We at SF Pride accept that responsibility and will not fail!”
Meet the 2025 SF Pride Grand Marshals
Kenan Arun – Community Grand Marshal, selected by the SF Pride Board of Directors
A queer activist, artist, and Co-Executive Director at the Center for Immigrant Protection, Kenan Arun advocates for LGBTQI+ immigrant communities while uplifting queer visibility through art and performance. Kenan’s creative contributions extend beyond advocacy work as he is also a resident makeup designer for Golden Thread Productions and an active volunteer with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, along with serving as a Board member at The Turkish American Gezi Platform.
“San Francisco means home, not just in geography but in spirit — a place where I could fully embrace every part of myself. As both an immigrant and a queer person, this city represents the possibility of safety, expression, and community. Pride means honoring the struggles that brought us here and carrying forward the work that still needs to be done. It was trans people — especially trans women of color — who stood up first, from the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots here in San Francisco to the early days of Pride. Their courage lit the path we now walk.”
Jahnell Butler — Community Grand Marshal, selected by Public Vote
Known as “Jahnell Chanel” in the Ballroom scene, Jahnell is Associate Director of Trans Services at San Francisco Community Health Center and a fierce advocate for transgender health and visibility, particularly within Black and Brown communities. Jahnell serves as the Overall Mother of the International Iconic House of Chanel. Her leadership extends into the founding and stewardship of Chanel Cares, the House’s nonprofit arm, which provides essential services, advocacy, and support to LGBTQI+ individuals navigating systems of marginalization.
“SF Pride is a heartbeat of our city that nourishes our community’s beauty, diversity, and resilience. For me, Pride means visibility, community, and power. It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come while continuing to push for the future we all deserve. Being named a Community Grand Marshal is an incredible honor. It feels like a celebration of not just my work, but the strength and brilliance of the communities I love and fight for.”
Jessy Ruiz – Gran Mariscal de la Comunidad, seleccionada por la Junta Directiva del Orgullo de San Francisco
Jessy Ruiz es una figura clave en la lucha por los derechos de la comunidad transgénero y LGBTQI+ en San Francisco. Su historia de superación personal, resiliencia y compromiso con su comunidad refleja el impacto positivo del activismo en las comunidades marginadas. A través de su trabajo y su liderazgo, sigue marcando una diferencia significativa en las vidas de quienes más lo necesitan. Ha trabajado durante los últimos cuatro años en la Comisión de Derechos de los Inmigrantes de San Francisco para mejorar las condiciones de vida de los inmigrantes y apoyar a los más vulnerables. Este compromiso se complementa con su trabajo en el Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, una organización que presta servicios a las personas sin hogar y a otros grupos marginados.
(Jessy Ruiz – Community Grand Marshal, selected by the SF Pride Board of Directors
Jessy Ruiz is a key figure in the fight for the rights of the transgender and LGBTQI+ community in San Francisco. Her story of personal improvement, resilience and commitment to her community reflects the positive impact of activism on marginalized communities. Through her work and her leadership, he continues to make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most. She has worked for the last four years on the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission to improve the living conditions of immigrants and support the most vulnerable. This commitment is complemented by her work at the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, an organization that provides services to the homeless and other marginalized groups.)
«Ser nombrado Gran Mariscal es un honor que conlleva una enorme responsabilidad. Más que un reconocimiento personal, es un tributo a la perseverancia y la fuerza de toda nuestra comunidad LGBTQI+. Es un reflejo de los sacrificios, los logros y los desafíos que hemos superado a lo largo de los años. Para mí, es un recordatorio de la importancia de continuar la lucha por la visibilidad, la aceptación y los derechos para todos. Me llena de orgullo poder representar a todas aquellas personas que, como yo, han luchado por ser vistas, por vivir con autenticidad y por crear un mundo en el que todos podamos ser quienes somos sin miedo. Es, sin duda, un privilegio que llevo con el corazón abierto».
(“Being named a Grand Marshal is an honor that comes with enormous responsibility. More than a personal recognition, it is a tribute to the perseverance and strength of our entire LGBTQI+ community. It is a reflection of the sacrifices, achievements and challenges we have overcome over the years. For me, it is a reminder of the importance of continuing the fight for visibility, acceptance and rights for all. I am filled with pride to be able to represent all those people who, like me, have fought to be seen, to live authentically, and to create a world where we can all be who we are without fear. It is, without a doubt, a privilege that I carry with an open heart.”)
Dr. Tyler TerMeer – Community Grand Marshal, selected by the SF Pride Membership
CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Co-Chair of the AIDS United Public Policy Council, Dr. TerMeer is the first person of color and openly HIV-positive leader to head the Foundation. He is passionate about supporting and empowering Black-led organizations and BIPOC leaders and improving the health of people living with HIV, ensuring that LGBTQI+ people have access to affirming care. Dr. TerMeer has been honored by the White House as one of the “Nation’s Emerging LGBTQI+ Leaders” and as part of the “Nation’s Emerging Black Leadership.”
“Pride has always meant protest wrapped in glitter and joy in this city. We know how to celebrate — and how to resist. It’s humbling to be named Grand Marshal at a time when our very existence is being legislated. I carry this honor not just for myself, but for every Black, queer, and HIV-positive person who’s ever been told they don’t belong. This honor isn’t just about me — it’s about the movement, the memory, and the mandate to keep showing up, louder and more unapologetically than ever.”
Tita Aida – Lifetime Achievement Community Grand Marshal, selected by the SF Pride Board of Directors
A pioneering advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and AAPI LGBTQI+ visibility, Tita Aida (aka Nicky Calma) has dedicated decades to community health, cultural advocacy, and LGBTQI+ liberation in the Bay Area. For the past 10 years, Tita Aida has taken the lead in organizing events such as Trans March, Transgender Day of Visibility, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and the API Pride Pavilion and Stage at SF Pride, Tita Aida received the Teddy Witherington Award in 2015, an award chosen by SF Pride and then-city mayor, the late Ed Lee, for her contributions to the LGBTQI+ community.
“SF Pride is like family to me. The work at SF Pride gives me that octane of humility, unconditional kindness, and the ability to grow to do what I do and serve my community. To receive the Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal is a great honor I will cherish and will linger during my lifetime and beyond. I am very proud to be part of our growing LGBTQIA history. As we do the work, we need to inspire and motivate the coming generations so they can preserve, uplift, and continue to be proud of our history.”
San Francisco Community Health Center – Organization Grand Marshal, chosen by the Public and the Members
A critical lifeline for San Francisco’s LGBTQI+ and AAPI communities for decades, the San Francisco Community Health Center leads in culturally responsive, community-centered, gender-affirming care, and advocacy. Its mission is to transform lives by advancing health, wellness, and equality.
SFCHC CEO Lance Tom said, "San Francisco Community Health Center is so proud to be among the incredible group of Grand Marshals. We absolutely love this year's theme. Every aspect of our work is grounded in queer joy and liberation, and we will fight tooth and nail for the health and justice for our LGBTQ+ communities.”
More information about our Community Grand Marshals can be found at: https://sfpride.org/grand-marshals/
SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE CALENDAR INFORMATION
Celebration and Rally
Civic Center Plaza
Saturday, June 28 | 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, June 29 | 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
54th Annual SF Pride Parade and March
Sunday, June 29 | Starting at 10:30 AM
Along Market Street, from Beale to 8th Street
To register for the parade/march, visit sfpride.org/register/.
For information on event tickets and sponsor, exhibitor, advertising, membership, and donor opportunities, visit sfpride.org or call (415) 864-0831.
About San Francisco Pride
The San Francisco Pride Celebration Committee is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded to produce the SF Pride Celebration and Parade. The mission of the organization is to educate the world on LGBTQ+ issues, as well as commemorate the heritage, celebrate the culture and liberate the people of all LGBTQ+ communities. A world leader in the Pride movement, SF Pride is also a grant-giving organization through its Community Partners Program. Since 1997, SF Pride has granted over $3 million dollars in proceeds to local non-profit LGBTQ+ organizations and organizations working on issues related to HIV/AIDS, cancer, homelessness, housing rights and animal welfare.
Media Contact
media@sfpride.org