The Lavender Effect’s Virtual Pride Parade started today, Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 12 p.m. The star-studded event will be broadcast live via YouTube.com/c/TheLavenderEffect.
This year’s Virtual Pride Parade’s Host and Grand Marshall is Alec Mapa. Mapa’s TV and film credits include Ugly Betty, Switched at Birth, Doom Patrol, You Don’t Mess with The Zohan and Connie and Carla. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband Jamison and Son Zion.
The Virtual Pride Parade will launch Pride Month and benefit THE LAVENDER EFFECT’s mission to Advance the Future of LGBTQ+ Heritage & Culture. While many local Pride celebrations again are being canceled or modified this year due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, many members of the community will not be able to gather in person, so this live virtual event will safely bring the LGBTQ+ community together from across the nation to celebrate Pride.
This year marks the 51st Anniversary of the first PRIDE marches across the nation in June 1970, commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, and protesting for LGBTQ+ equality.
THE LAVENDER EFFECT has another stellar roster of some of the most well-known LGBTQ+ celebrities and allies, non-profits, and activists from around the globe, to help to bring the community together including:
Lily Tomlin (Tony, Emmy and Grammy Winner; Grace & Frankie; 9 to 5)
Judith Light (Tony & Emmy Winner, The Politician, Transparent, Who’s The Boss)
Betty Buckley (Tony Award winner for Cats, Eight is Enough)
Kathryn Hahn (Wanda Vision; Bad Moms)
Sally Kirkland (Golden Globe Winner for Anna)
Doug Spearman (Noah’s Arc)
Alexandra Billings (Transparent)
Bruce Vilanch (Emmy Winner; comedian writer/actor)
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph & “Lolly” (Emmy Winner, Sesame Street)
Michael Musto (journalist)
Jason Stuart (Smothered; comedian)
Maria Gentile (IheartRadio – What’s The Story With Maria)
Drew Droege (Heathers)
THE LAVENDER EFFECT® is a nonprofit project of Community Partners that is Advancing the Future of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Allied (LGBTQ+) Heritage and Culture! Their Oral History Projects, Educational Presentations, PRIDE Explorer® app and Participatory Tours reach a broad audience to share the cumulative wisdom of LGBTQ+ Pioneers. Celebrating LGBTQ+ Heritage and Culture helps to demystify our diverse community, reduce shame, combat homophobia, and empower youth.
To learn more about the Lavender Effect, visit http://www.thelavendereffect.org.
