NEW YORK – NYC Pride announced on May 24 its Grand Marshals slated to lead the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 27, including Greek-American Dr. Demetre Daskalakis. Wilson Cruz, Ceyenne Doroshow, Menaka Guruswamy & Arundhati Katju and Aaron Philip will also head this year’s celebration.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis is recognized internationally as an expert in HIV prevention and has focused much of his career on the prevention and treatment of HIV and other STIs as an activist physician with a focus on LGBTQIA+ communities. He is also dedicated to improving the health of underserved communities and is passionate about addressing health equity. He works to address stigma in HIV by promoting “status neutral” service delivery and programming and by improving overall health and wellbeing of people with or at risk for HIV by addressing key social determinants of health. He currently serves as the Director of the Center for Disease Control’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.

“This year’s Grand Marshals are the embodiment of the theme for NYC Pride 2021, ‘The Fight Continues,’” said Bansri Manek, Director of the NYC Pride March. “Their dedication to the continued fight has created a better future for individuals throughout the LGBTQIA+ community, and the bold courage they’ve demonstrated sends a clear message to the leaders of future generations about the importance of fighting for what you believe in. They also drive home the key themes of our Grand Marshal categories, including Trans Rights, Social Justice, Behind-the-Scenes, and Youth Activism. We are thrilled to be acknowledging these remarkable individuals in this year’s NYC Pride March.”

The NYC Pride March broadcast special will return for its fifth consecutive year, featuring live performances, on-air interviews, and exciting street-side marching activity. The broadcast will air on ABC-7, 12-3 PM ET on Sunday, June 27, as well on ABC7NY.com and ABC7 New York’s Connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.

All in-person elements will be produced in accordance with the most current guidelines for public events in the city.

Following the broadcast, a virtual experience of the March will begin online across streaming platforms. The virtual program will feature groups and organizations that would typically take to the streets for the annual NYC Pride March. Each segment will highlight one of this year’s five Grand Marshals. The show will stream on NYC Pride’s Facebook and YouTube on Sunday, June 27 beginning at 3 PM.

Rounding out programming for this year’s NYC Pride March is the March Pop Ups. As local businesses open up to indoor activities, NYC Pride will reimagine the typical Pride March Float experience by utilizing the outdoor seating areas of locally owned businesses in Manhattan. These unique Pop Ups will help boost visibility for local business owners, provide a canvas for out of work designers and artists, and bring an added vibrancy back to the streets in June. An interactive map will allow attendees to find their favorite activations, and learn more about organizations that are participating.

For more information about NYC Pride’s 2021 roster of events including the NYC Pride March, visit: www.nycpride.org.