The Grand Marshals marched alongside more than 70 parade groups, 35 floats and over 3,000 participants. “The first year I was involved, I started by providing security for the event and never once did I think I would be a marshal for the parade.
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“I’ve been involved with Miami Beach Pride from year one, and it’s been incredible to see what it’s grown into,” Sanchez said.
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In 2010 Sanchez was appointed to serve as the department’s LGBT Liason - a position he held until his retirement last month. Sanchez, and openly gay police officer and member of the Miami Beach Police Department since November 1987. This year’s Advocate Grand Marshal was Detective Juan F. “We hope that by representing our Foundation and reminding people of Matt, we can encourage both those affected by hate crimes and law enforcement to step up, connect, and do a better job for LGBTQ+ community of Miami Beach.” “We are thrilled and honored to be a part of Miami Beach Pride,” Jason Marsden, Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation said. The Foundation works to erase hate crimes and foster understanding, compassion and acceptance in the LGBT community. They are coming off the 20 thanniversary of the murder of their son at the University of Wyoming. Judy and Dennis Shephard, parents of Matthew Shephard and founders of the Matthew Shephard foundation were this year’s Ally Grand Marshals. Last year over 145,000 people were in attendance, and the festivities have grown to a global event with A-list celebrities such as last years’ Grand Marshal Gus Kenworthy, Betty Who, Bebe Rexha, Adam Lambert, Ross Mathews, Mario Lopez and more.
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“I’ve never been here before, it’s a lot more fun than the other prides I’ve been to, it’s a lot more lively, more diverse, I’m definitely coming again,” Kimberly Guice, a med student visiting Miami before moving to Texas said at the Pride festival.įounded ten years ago in 2009, the first festival and parade drew 15,000 spectators. Pride weekend in Miami Beach was jam packed with cultural events, concerts, shows and plenty of parties. There was plenty of love throughout the week’s pride festivities - and certainly plenty of color. “Everyone is super super happy, it’s a big wedding and everyone is getting married.” “There’s just a burst of color,” Christopher Loader, a London native visiting Miami said at the conclusion of this year’s Miami Beach Pride parade.