For the first time in Chicago Pride history, a local community group will lead the parade as the inaugural “Out Front” Leader, followed by this year’s Community Grand Marshals

PRIDEChicago, the all-volunteer organization behind the Chicago Pride Parade for over 50 years, is proud to announce that for the first time, a local community group will lead the city’s most celebrated LGBTQ+ event, and one of the largest by attendance in the nation.

TaskForce Prevention & Community Services, an LGBTQ+ youth-focused health and wellness organization located on the west side of Chicago, has been selected as the inaugural “Out Front” Leader of the 2025 Chicago Pride Parade. TaskForce is being honored for its decades of unwavering service, providing critical resources, advocacy, and support to LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those in underserved communities.

“This year, we’re shifting the spotlight to the heart of our movement—community organizations and local changemakers,” said Terra Campbell, PRIDEChicago’s Director of Community Engagement. “Pride is not just about celebration; it’s about recognizing those who uplift, protect, and advocate for our community every day. TaskForce embodies that mission, and we’re thrilled to honor their impact.”

Founded in 1990, TaskForce is a Black-led, grassroots multi-service organization that provides crucial health and social services to underserved LGBTQ+ youth, particularly youth of color in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. TaskForce provides a safe space for fellowship, HIV/STI screenings, and on-site referrals to medical, housing, and other social services. The organization’s mission is rooted in creating a world without health disparities.

“As the oldest Black-led LGBTQ+ organization in Chicago, we march to affirm our existence, demand equity, and create visibility for the west side’s LGBTQ+ youth,” shared Chris Balthazar, Executive Director of TaskForce. “Pride is not just a celebration; it’s a declaration that we will not be erased, and that every member of our community deserves safety, dignity, and joy.“

PRIDEChicago also announces 2025 Community Grand Marshals: Dr. Maya Green and Dr. Catherine Creticos. Both honorees were selected through an online nomination process, reflecting their profound impact on healthcare, advocacy, and the LGBTQ+ community.

“Hope is our medicine in tough times, and these honorees remind us that together, United in Pride, we have the power to heal, resist, and thrive,” Campbell explained.

Community Grand Marshal: Dr. Maya Green: A Champion for Community Health

• Dr. Maya Green, affectionately known as “Dr. 100” for her candid and compassionate approach to healthcare, has made significant strides in advancing health and community wellness for the TLGBQIA community. A south side Chicago native, Dr. Green is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s MD/MPH program and completed her fellowship in HIV Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. Her career has been dedicated to expanding healthcare access, with a particular focus on Black communities on Chicago’s south and west sides.
• Currently serving as the Chief Medical & Health Equity Officer at Onyx Medical Wellness, Dr. Green developed the Nexus program, which streamlines HIV treatment and prevention services and has held leadership roles at the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center and Howard Brown Health, where she has championed healthcare equity. Dr. Green serves on the boards of several key organizations, including TaskForce, Life Is Work, 5:30 Scholars, and the Cook County Health and Hospitals System—each focused on uplifting historically overlooked communities.

Community Grand Marshal: Dr. Catherine Creticos: A Trailblazer in Infectious
Disease Research

• Dr. Catherine Creticos is a respected infectious disease specialist who has dedicated over 30 years to serving the LGBTQ+ community. As the Medical Director of Clinical Research at Howard Brown’s Center for Education, Research, and Advocacy, Dr. Creticos has led critical HIV therapy trials and vaccine studies that have revolutionized LGBTQ+ healthcare.
• A proud ally, Dr. Creticos has worked tirelessly to ensure that safe and effective treatment options are accessible to people living with HIV, helping shape the landscape of HIV care and advocacy for the broader LGBTQ+ community.

Both Dr. Green and Dr. Creticos’ ongoing dedication to health equity and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community reflects the deep commitment needed to build a healthier and more inclusive future for all.

The Legacy of the Chicago Pride Parade

Founded in 1970 as the Gay Liberation March to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, the Chicago Pride Parade has long served as a platform for advocacy; from championing LGBTQ+ rights to supporting those living with HIV/AIDS.

The 54th annual Chicago Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, beginning at 11 a.m. at the corner of Sheridan and Broadway. The parade will travel through the heart of Chicago’s landmark LGBTQ+ Northalsted neighborhood, uniting thousands of people from all walks of life to celebrate pride, visibility, and community. Get Involved! Want to march, volunteer, or support the parade? Visit pridechicago.org to learn more about participation, sponsorship opportunities, and ways to make an impact.

ABOUT PRIDEChicago

PRIDEChicago is a vibrant and dynamic volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ+ communities of Chicago and Illinois. We have produced the iconic Chicago Pride Parade for over 50 years.