Nominations launch October 1 for the 57th Annual Chicago Pride Parade, continuing a tradition of honoring grassroots leaders and local trailblazers.
PRIDEChicago, the all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has produced the iconic Chicago Pride Parade for more than 50 years, announced today that nominations are officially open for the Community Grand Marshals who will be honored during the 57th annual Chicago Pride Parade on June 27, 2027.
Beginning with the 2025 parade, PRIDEChicago launched a public nomination process to honor individuals who embody the spirit of Pride, elevate voices, and expand opportunity for all. That tradition continues for 2027, inviting the community once again to help recognize those whose leadership, advocacy, and dedication reflect the values at the heart of the Chicago Pride Parade.
“Our community thrives because of the people who show up and do the work every single day,” said Terra Campbell, Director of Community Engagement at PRIDEChicago. “As we look toward 2027, we’re asking Chicagoans to help us recognize the local leaders across healthcare, education, and civil rights who are creating meaningful change.”
Nominations for this meaningful recognition open on October 1, 2026, marking the start of LGBTQ+ History Month, and will run through December 31, 2026, via the form at pridechicago.org/nominate. Self-nominations are welcome, as are nominations submitted by others, whether individuals or organizations.
The final selection for Community Grand Marshals will be made by the PRIDEChicago Board of Directors and announced in spring 2027, ahead of the June 27 parade.
“Showing up for one another is at the core of what Pride truly means,” said Steve Long, PRIDEChicago Board Chair. “By nominating a Community Grand Marshal, you’re helping us celebrate the everyday champions who move our community forward.”
Honoring Recent Trailblazers
In a historic first, a local community organization served as the inaugural “Out Front” parade leader in 2025: TaskForce Prevention & Community Services, a West Side–based LGBTQ+ youth health and wellness group recognized for decades of critical service and advocacy. Marching after TaskForce were the 2025 Community Grand Marshals, Dr. Maya Green and Dr. Catherine Creticos—two trailblazers in healthcare and LGBTQ+ advocacy selected through the public nomination process. Dr. Creticos was the first ally ever to serve as Grand Marshal in the parade’s history.
In 2026, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center was honored as the “Out Front” community group for its tireless work in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood to dismantle homophobia and transphobia while integrating LGBTQ+ advocacy into the core of public health and housing justice. Following them were the 2026 Community Grand Marshals: journalist and historian Tracy Baim, civil rights leader Mona Noriega, philanthropist and community advocate Evette Cardona, and the Alliance of Illinois Judges. They were selected for their extraordinary leadership, service, and impact—each embodying what it means to be Free to Be Proud.
57 Years of Pride
The 57th Annual Chicago Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 27, 2027, at 11 a.m. in Chicago’s landmark LGBTQ+ Northalsted neighborhood.
