2026 QUEENS PRIDE PARADE GRAND MARSHALS

 

The 34th Annual Queens Pride Parade and Multicultural Festival, taking place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Jackson Heights, proudly celebrates this year’s Grand Marshals—leaders who exemplify courage, service, and a deep commitment to community.

Commissioner Bonsignore is honored as one of this year’s Grand Marshals, recognized for her trailblazing career and her embodiment of these values. Joining her is Dr. Sundeep Singh Boparai, a Queer Sikh healthcare administrator, public policy professional, and LGBTQIA+ advocate advancing health equity, intersectional advocacy, and culturally competent care for marginalized communities. Also joining this year’s honorees is Candy Sample, an accomplished songwriter and performer and a beloved staple of Queens Pride, having served as an announcer for the parade since 2012. Her longstanding dedication and vibrant presence have helped shape the spirit of the celebration year after year.

This year’s theme, “Unstoppable Pride,” celebrates the strength, visibility, and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities. As David Kilmnick, PhD, MSW, President and Founder of the New York LGBT Network, says:

“In a time when LGBTQ+ people continue to be targeted in schools, legislatures, and courts, our community remains unstoppable — in our love, our leadership, and our fight for justice.”

FDNY COMMISSIONER LILLIAN BONSIGNORE

37th Fire Commissioner, FDNY
First woman to achieve 4-star EMS rank

Lillian Bonsignore has dedicated over 30 years of service to New York City, beginning as an EMT in 1991 at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx. She courageously responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks and has steadily risen through the ranks, serving as Lieutenant, Paramedic, Captain, Deputy Chief, Chief of the EMS Academy, and Chief of EMS.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Commissioner Bonsignore led FDNY EMS through record high call volumes, showcasing leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the city. She has completed prestigious leadership and counterterrorism programs including:

  • Naval Postgraduate School Executive Leadership

  • FDNY/USMA Counterterrorism Leadership

  • TEEX EMS Operations and Planning for WMDs

  • National Incident Management courses

CANDY SAMPLES

Accomplished Songwriter and Performer

Candy Samples has called Astoria, Queens home for the past 26 years. Originally from Stone Mountain, GA, she attended Boston’s Emerson College, earning a BFA in Acting. After moving to New York, she began hostessing karaoke at Albatross Bar and is still performing there today.

Candy is an accomplished songwriter and performer, having released multiple singles, two EPs, and a full-length album, “Bittersweet”, found on various streaming services.

Candy got her start with community organizing and activism, working alongside her drag sisters Chic and Sassy as Gender Offenders, performing social and political satire, eventually working with Marriage Equality New York (now MEUSA). Fifteen years ago, Candy, alongside friend Jesse Pasackow, formed the CandyWrappers AIDS Walk Team for AIDS Walk NY and has helped raise over $300,000 for HIV/AIDS services during that time. Candy also volunteers and fundraises for Braking AIDS Ride, benefitting Housing Works.

Her strong support for the HIV/AIDS community comes from losing her father, a hemophiliac, who contracted HIV in the 80s, and died in 1991 before effective treatments were available.

Candy’s work has taken her to New Orleans, where she performed her Sunday Services during Southern Decadence weekend for 10 years, benefiting Crescent Care’s Food for Friends program. Candy has been the announcer of the Queens Pride Parade since 2012 and enjoys being a part of a community that has done so much for her.

In 2024, Candy went through emergency surgery for complications from childhood cancer treatments and was left with a permanent ileostomy. Instead of shying away, she has put her own story in her monthly show and fundraises and raises awareness for the United Ostomy Associations of America, showing that one can still thrive, even with a hidden disability.

Candy Samples is all about community, support, and love and hopes all y’all will continue to use YOUR Powers for Good!

DR. SUNDEEP SINGH BOPARAI

Queer Sikh healthcare administrator, public policy professional, grassroots organizer, and LGBTQIA+ advocate based in New York.

Dr. Sundeep Singh Boparai (he/they), affectionately known as “Sunny,” is a Queer Sikh healthcare administrator, public policy professional, grassroots organizer, and LGBTQIA+ advocate based in New York. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Dr. Boparai has dedicated his career to advancing health equity, intersectional advocacy, and culturally competent care for marginalized communities, particularly transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) individuals.

Navigating identity within South Asian and Sikh communities, Dr. Boparai transformed experiences of isolation into a social media platform for visibility, healing, and systemic change through KingSunnyB, and founded a South Asian LGBTQIA+ initiative that amplifies queer marginalized voices while connecting individuals to affirming healthcare, mental health resources, and community support.

Dr. Sundeep S. Boparai currently serves as the lead administrator for Long Island’s first Transgender Care Program at Northwell Health, overseeing comprehensive medical and mental health services for TGNCNB communities across Long Island and New York City.

He spearheaded the Angels of Long Island Food Drive and Pantry and leads the Annual TGNCNB Health Conference at Hofstra University.

Dr. Boparai earned his Doctor of Healthcare Administration and Public Policy from Medical University of South Carolina in 2024 and completed a federal externship under Admiral Rachel Levine at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

He currently serves as Vice President of the Stonewall Democrats of New York City.

His leadership and advocacy have been recognized through numerous honors.