2023 NEW QUEENS PRIDE PARADE GRAND MARSHALS

The 2023 New Queens Pride Grand Marshals represent the great leadership, advocacy and diversity of the world’s borough.We are proud to announce that Linda Lee, New York City Council Member, Lynn Schulman, New York City Council Member, Selvena N. Brooks-Power, New York City Council Member, Shekar Krishnan, New York City Council Member, Drag Story Hour, a creative arts program, CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, a collective group who’s mission is to preserve LGBTQIA+ history, offer programs, exhibits, events, and training, and Ceyenne Doroshow, an activist, community organizer, and Executive Director & Founder of G.L.I.T.S., will be the honorary Grand Marshals for the 2023 Queens Pride Parade.

New York City
Council Member Linda Lee

Council Member Linda Lee represents the 23rd Council District in Eastern Queens. She was elected to the Council in November 2021, becoming the first Korean-American ever elected to the City Council, and the first woman to hold the seat.

Prior to taking office, Linda was the President/CEO of Korean Community Services (KCS) of Metropolitan New York, Inc., New York’s first community-based social service organization focused on the Korean community. KCS’s mission is to be a bridge for Korean immigrants and the wider Asian community to fully integrate into society and overcome any economic, health and social barriers to becoming independent and thriving members of the community.

New York City Council Member
Lynn Schulman

Lynn Schulman grew up in Forest Hills and is a long-time community and LGBTQ activist. With decades of leadership in health care advocacy and progressive causes, Lynn was elected to the City Council because she has a vision for how to bring about the change we need in our Queens communities. An attorney by training, Lynn has devoted her career to public service and held a broad range of executive positions in government, private industry, and the non-profit arena.

New York City Council Member
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers

Selvena N. Brooks-Powers represents the 31st District which includes the communities of Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, and Far Rockaway. She was elected in a special election in February 2021.

A fierce advocate for equity in city resources, Selvena Brooks-Powers helped to secure $95 million in restoration to fund the 116th Precinct, expand the Cure Violence program into the 105th Precinct, and establish a permanent COVID-19 vaccine site.

New York City Council Member
Shekar Krishnan

Shekar Krishnan is the NYC Council Member for District 25, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, Queens, two of the most diverse immigrant communities in the world. He is the first Indian-American ever elected to the City Council in NYC history. Shekar is also Chair of the Council’s Committee On Parks and Recreation. He negotiated the highest budget ever for NYC Parks. As Parks Chair, Shekar has approached access to parks and expanding green space as a key component of social, racial, and immigrant justice. 

Drag Story Hour

Drag Story Hour NYC produces storytelling and creative arts programs for children and teens, presented by local drag artists, in libraries, schools, and other community spaces in all five boroughs of New York City, and virtually. Through fun and fabulous educational experiences, our programs celebrate gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable.

Ceyenne Doroshow
Founder and Executive Director, G.L.I.T.S.

Founder and Executive Director, Ceyenne Doroshow (pronounced Kai-Ann) is a compassionate powerhouse performer, activist, organizer, community-based researcher, and public figure in the trans and sex worker rights movements. As the Founder and Executive Director of G.L.I.T.S., she works to provide holistic care to LGBTQ sex workers while serving on the following boards: SWOP Behind Bars, Caribbean Equality Project, and SOAR Institute. As an international public speaker, her presentations include The Desiree Alliance, Creating Change, SisterSong, Harm Reduction Coalition, and the International AIDS Conferences, and now PRIDE on FX. Ceyenne has published features in GQ, Vogue, TIME, ATMOS, i-D, and many other publications. At the present time, Ceyenne is building her leadership academy and envisioning a medical center and combined housing unit in Queens, NY — building sustainability for the community like no other.

Dr. Allie Brashears (she/her)
Director, CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium

Dr. Allie Brashears (she/her) is the Director of the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium and LGBTQ+ programming for the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. She is passionate about advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and education, as well as preserving Queens LGBTQIA+ history. As a professor of biology at LaGuardia Community College, she also works to promote accessible science education.

JC Carlson (they/them)
Director, CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium

JC Carlson (they/them) is the Associate Director of the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, and LGBTQIAA+ Programs Coordinator and Student Life Events Manager at Queens College. In 2018, JC founded and organized CUNY Pridefest. Now in its sixth year, CUNY Pridefest is CUNY’s largest celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride. JC advises the Queens College Gender, Love and Sexuality Alliance, a student club at Queens College serving LGBTQIA+ and ally students.