PRIDEChicago announces grand marshal for annual pride parade

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PRIDEChicago announces grand marshal for annual pride parade

by GoPride.com News Staff

Filed under: Lesbian, Lifestyle, Travel

Thu. June 9, 2011 6:20:23 AM : 18 Comments - continue the discussion

Short URL: http://gopride.com/Z4vt

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Chicago, IL — Fernanda Rocha, the newest cast member of Bravo's hit "Real Housewives of Orange County," has been named the Grand Marshal for Chicago's 42nd annual Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26.

Fernanda Rocha is Grand Marshal for 42nd annual Pride Parade

Rocha, who came to the U.S. from Brazil ten years ago, is the first lesbian cast member on "Real Housewives," now in its sixth season.

PRIDEChicago, organizers of the annual Chicago Pride Parade, call her "an American success story." She worked hard, developed a clothing line, exercise videos and co-owns her own exercise studio.

Recently, she was active in the NoH8 Campaign in California. She is also taping a video for the "It Gets Better Project" that supports LGBT youth.

Pride Month kicked off on June 1 with the international theme, "Pride Around the World."

The month of June in Illinois began with hundreds of couples taking part in civil union ceremonies and will wind down with the Chicago Pride Parade, which is expected to draw a crowd of over half a million people.

The parade steps off at noon on Sunday, June 26 from Belmont and Halsted St. in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood.

Between these two events, there are close to one hundred different social, cultural, political and athletic events taking place in Chicago during LGBT Pride Month.

Related: Follow all the pride events with CalendarQ

Related: Read Jerry Nunn's interview with Fernanda Rocha from April, 2011

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POST A COMMENT

Who?

Posted by Daniel193 on Thu, 6/9/2011 6:32 AM

How about Greg Harris who actually did something for the community.

Posted by Buzz Seifert on Thu, 6/9/2011 6:49 AM

Really? Lame.

Posted by Brandon Strawn on Thu, 6/9/2011 7:04 AM

What that's the best we can do? Some dumb reality star?

Posted by Kevin468 on Thu, 6/9/2011 7:11 AM

they got to be kinding!

Posted by Alfredo Cotto on Thu, 6/9/2011 7:46 AM

I love Chicago and I think Chicago Pride is great. I love the festival. I love the parade. But, seriously, it's CHICAGO people...get some real entertainment and get someone meaningful for parade marshal.

Posted by Jeff Dodd on Thu, 6/9/2011 8:05 AM

Chicago never gets good celebrities kind of sad and pathetic, only City I know that can't nab anyone worth while!

Posted by rofan21 on Thu, 6/9/2011 8:34 AM

Don't get me wrong, I like her and she's worth watching on "Orange County" but...What the fuck has she done for Chicago? Donated to any Chicago based LGBTQ organization? What are her Chicago ties? This is CHICAGO! One of the greatest cities in the world. We can WAAAYYYY fucking better then this! How sad that we can't get anybody worthwhile or famous.

Posted by Dani Alexander on Thu, 6/9/2011 9:37 AM

Sadly I have to agree with the previous posts... this is CHICAGO not LA, is there no one in CHICAGO worthy of being the Grand Marshal of OUR parade and I also have to agree with the statements of not being able to draw any big name entertainment... just look at MILWAUKEE... they draw big names every year, what is the reason for this? just sayin....

Posted by rsONhalsted on Thu, 6/9/2011 11:05 AM

How pathetic! Did they even try to get Joel Burns from Dallas Ft. Worth? This man has dome more for Gay teens than any other politician. Ever! "Real Housewifes of OC". You have got to be kidding!

Posted by Michael Mitz on Thu, 6/9/2011 11:16 AM

Gee, this makes me so proud...

Posted by det442 on Thu, 6/9/2011 11:26 AM

I'm not happy about this years choice and I'm not sure if it's too late to change your mind about it. But, one year...let's have THE JOANS lead the parade. Let's have LOCAL people leading our LOCAL parade.
Thank you for all of your hard work!!

Posted by DavidStMichael on Thu, 6/9/2011 12:14 PM

Totally agree with all of you. how about Chicago's own Ronnie Kroell? He's done a heck of a lot and would be a far better choice and role model.

Posted by Ryan on Thu, 6/9/2011 12:17 PM

I'm sure she's a lovely lady, but couldn't we find someone who is a bit more relevant to Chicago's gay scene? Or if that didn't work, how about a real celebrity? Hell, I'd rather see an overachieving gay high school student do it as a celebration for their work.

Posted by Kenny207 on Thu, 6/9/2011 12:55 PM

Or how about Rosie F-ing O'Donnell?? She's coming to Chicago to take over Harpo Studios. At least she has a recognizable history.

Posted by Daniel193 on Thu, 6/9/2011 1:17 PM

ARE YOU JOKING!?!? Total pride fail. This is just stupid. She has a wonderful little story but shes not fabulous and being on that show makes her lame as hell. A damn shame chicago pride. A big ole damn shame.

Posted by Joe722 on Thu, 6/9/2011 2:56 PM