NYC Pride announces its Grand Marshals, performers, and hosts for a WABC Channel 7 Pride broadcast special on Sunday, June 28, 2020, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride March held in 1970, and though it will be a very different type of celebration the tradition of commemorating the LGBTQIA+ movement will continue. In this unique year, NYC Pride is committed to saluting front-line workers alongside several leaders in the community being honored as Grand Marshals: Dan Levy, The Ali Forney Center, Yanzi Peng, and
Victoria Cruz. The special will feature performances by Janelle Monáe, Deborah Cox, Billy Porter, Luísa Sonza and more. Expect to see appearances by Wilson Cruz, Miss Richfield 1981, Margaret Cho and others. WABC’s Ken Rosato and Lauren Glassberg will host the special joined by special guest co-host Carson Kressley, along with correspondents Sam Champion and Kemberly Richardson.


“NYC Pride is a special place for so many. I couldn’t imagine a year without celebrating with the fabulous
LBGTQ people in New York,” said Kressley. “When I was asked to join this special broadcast event with
my friends at WABC it was a no brainer. Pride is something we carry with us all year long, and though
we can’t be together in the way we are accustomed I’m grateful to be a part of it in this way.”


“We are thrilled to have Carson as our co-host for this special broadcast and what will be a meaningful
and entertaining virtual event,” said Debra OConnell, President and General Manager of WABC-TV.
“The NYC Pride March is such a wonderful day for our city, we look forward to interacting with our
viewers in new and creative ways from virtual watch parties to showing us how you are celebrating Pride
this year throughout the broadcast.”


The NYC Pride 2020 Grand Marshals:
● Dan Levy is an Emmy® nominated showrunner, and writer, actor, director, and producer, best
known for his work on one of the most beloved shows on television, Schitt’s Creek, which he
co-created with his father Eugene Levy. The sitcom recently ended a wildly successful run after
six seasons. A pioneer in seamlessly representing LGBTQ+ people in a positive light this show
and Levy stands out in television history.
● The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to
caring and creating safe housing options for homeless LGBTQ youth. The organization creates
programs designed to help young people overcome the traumas of homelessness and family rejection
through medical and mental health services, and substance abuse treatment.
● Yanzi Peng is a human rights activist, the Executive Director of LGBT Rights Advocacy China, and
Director of China Rainbow Media Awards.
● Victoria Cruz is an American LGBTQIA+ rights activist and retired domestic violence counselor.

“The NYC Pride March is such a pillar of our community and I am incredibly honored to be recognized
alongside the other Grand Marshals on its 50th anniversary,” said Dan Levy. “While the physical
circumstances are less than ideal, our community has always come together in the face of adversity, and
this year’s broadcast is no exception. I am so inspired by the opportunity we’ve been given to celebrate
together.”


“While we are saddened to not be able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NYC Pride March in
person, we are thrilled to still be able to recognize our Grand Marshals,” said March Director Brian J.
Heck. “These inspiring pillars of the LGBTQIA+ community are leading the way as we begin the journey
of the next 50 years of Pride. This year we are also proud to honor all of the front-line workers who put
their own health at risk to unconditionally serve our LGBTQIA+ community with love and compassion
during the COVID-19 pandemic. These heroes prove that the future is a place where we embrace the full
rainbow of our community.”


NYC Pride is also responsible for producing events like Pride Island that welcomes celebrity performers
for a weekend of music and dancing. Though in-person events like this were canceled, this year’s
headliner, Janelle Monae didn’t want to miss out on 2020. The broadcast special will feature a
performance by the creative, afro-futuristic singer.