Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe Announced as Seattle Pride Parade Grand Marshals 2024

Seattle sports legends Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe will serve as grand marshals for the annual Seattle Pride Parade as part of the 50^th anniversary of LGBTQIA+ Pride celebrations in the Emerald City.

“We are beyond excited that Sue and Megan will be serving as grand marshals for this year’s Seattle Pride Parade,” said Seattle Pride Executive Director Patti Hearn. “These two exceptional women are champions in their respective sports, champions for the queer community, and role models for future generations of LGBTQIA+ leaders; they are the perfect grand marshals for our 50-year milestone.”

“We’re honored to be named grand marshals for the Seattle Pride Parade and look forward to seeing everyone on parade day,” the star duo shared in a joint statement. “It’s humbling to be recognized in our city that we love, and as part of a community with such a rich LGBTQIA+ history. It’s going to be an incredible celebration of love and acceptance.”

Basketball legend Bird, the five-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time WNBA champion point guard for the Seattle Storm is the league’s all-time leader in assists, retired in 2022 before becoming a member of the Storm’s ownership group last month. She was voted by fans as one of the WNBA’s top 15 players of all time. Her vocal stance on racial, gender, and LGBTQIA+ equity has made her a cornerstone in athletic representation and allyship. In 2021, Bird co-founded Togethxr – a woman-centered media group – to further the culture, representation, and coverage of girls and women in sports. In 2022, alongside fiancée Rapinoe and in partnership with Togethxr, she launched a production company focused on telling the stories of the people moving culture forward. Named A Touch More the pair is determined to bring more understanding, connection, entertainment, and conversation to the ever-evolving media landscape. Bird is an outspoken and visible activist advocating for Black Lives, equality, health and wellness, and expanding opportunities for girls and all marginalized people.

Rapinoe, the two-time soccer World Cup Champion and Olympic gold medalist, is a fan favorite on and off Seattle Reign's pitch. An activist, New York Times’ best-selling author, and co-founder (with Bird) of A Touch More, Rapinoe is a vocal leader in every aspect of life. Rapinoe helped lead the USWNT to the 2019 World Cup Championship, scoring some of the biggest goals of the tournament and taking home two top honors – the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament. She was also named as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” and is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award, the country’s highest civilian honor. She is an advocate for equality for all and has been able to intersect her passion for humanity and authenticity.

INTERGENERATIONAL GRAND MARSHAL CONTINGENT

Joining Bird and Rapinoe as grand marshals is an Intergenerational contingent of LGBTQIA+ leaders – including elders who have worked tirelessly to advance LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility, and youth who continue the march forward. This grand marshal contingent includes individuals such as the organizer of Seattle’s first Pride celebration David Neth, as well as representatives from groups including Camp Ten Trees, GenPride, Lambert House, Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center, and Seattle Public Schools – serving as a poignant tribute to Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ past, present, and promising future.

Each year the Seattle Pride Parade culminates Pride Month on the last Sunday of June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion. The Seattle Pride Parade is the state’s largest parade and single-day celebration – and one of the largest Pride parades nationally.

The Seattle Pride Parade takes place in downtown Seattle along 4^th Avenue (between Union Street and Denny Way). The day kicks off at the Westlake Park stage with pre-show entertainment at 10 a.m. followed by the parade step-off at 11 a.m. The event is FREE, though reserved grandstand seating is available for purchase at SeattlePride.org – while space lasts.

OFFICIAL SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE DRAG BRUNCH & VIEWING PARTY

New this year is the Official Seattle Pride Parade Drag Brunch and Viewing Party taking place at Hilton Motif Seattle’s Frolik Kitchen and Cocktails. Produced by Wunderland Events + JaqsNetwork, Frolik’s rooftop deck offers an amazing, elevated view over the 4^th Avenue parade route starting line. Tickets are available at SeattlePride.org.

MORE INFO

For those unable to attend in person, Seattle Pride’s official TV partner, KIRO 7, will livestream the first two hours of the parade on kiro7.com and on the KIRO 7 News apps for phone and TV. Plus, tune in to KIRO 7 later in the eveningto catch Seattle Pride Parade coverage on KIRO 7 News at 11 p.m., followed by a half-hour Seattle Pride special at 11:30 p.m.

Other media sponsors include SGN, The Seattle Times, The Stranger, and radio stations 95.7 The Jet, 1077 The End, c89.5, Hits 106.1, KNKX, MOViN 92.5, and WARM 106.9.

For a complete list of Pride Month events, updated as new events are announced, visit SeattlePride.org/Events or pick up the free Official Seattle Pride Guide available throughout the greater Seattle area in June.

Accessibility accommodations such as priority seating, ASL interpreters, and ADA restrooms, will be available at the Seattle Pride Parade. An accessibility guide for both events will be available on SeattlePride.org.

Seattle Pride’s events are made possible with generous support from presenting partner Alaska Airlines, as well as many other corporate and community partners.