Deaunte Damper Announced as Seattle Pride 2026 Grand Marshal

Mar 23

Seattle Pride has officially announced that community activist Deaunte Damper will serve as a Grand Marshal for the 2026 Seattle Pride Parade, alongside the Seattle Torrent women's hockey team.

This incredible achievement represents the culmination of Deaunte’s relentless love and advocacy for the Northwest’s LGBTQ+ community. While many know him for uplifting Black queer voices every week in the Black Media Matters Studio on “We Live In Color,” his work in HIV awareness, gun violence prevention, and tirelessly showing up for marginalized communities make him the perfect pick for Grand Marshal.

“I felt like I was dreaming,” Damper said about first hearing the announcement. “I'm honored just to be able to get this opportunity.”

The theme for Pride 2026, "Rally," strikes a deep chord with Damper's own mission. "Pride has always been both protest and celebration," he said, emphasizing the importance of showing up with purpose, urgency, and love in a time when the LGBTQ+ community is under attack.

On his journey as a Black gay man in Seattle, Damper landed on a mission and never looked back.

“When I moved back home 18 years ago, I made it my goal and my duty to make sure the community would never feel the emptiness that I used to feel,” he said. “Love is joy, and above all else, it’s Black.”

His track record of leadership in the city is extensive. Damper served as the first-ever NAACP LGBTQ chair and continues his work for the community through the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Just last year, he was honored with the Ryan White Community Champion Award for his commitment to empowerment and advocacy.

“Having [Deaunte’s] joy and his leadership… literally leading the parade is very exciting,” Seattle Pride Executive Director Patti Hearn said, explaining that having a "true activist" at the front of the parade is more important than ever.

When the parade takes over 4th Avenue in June, it will be just as much a protest and call to action as it will be a celebration, led by Damper and those who live the movement every day.

“This is a countdown. I want people to stay tuned because we have some real cool surprises coming your way,” Damper said.

The Seattle Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 28, in downtown Seattle along 4th 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 beginning at 11 a.m.

Stay tuned for more updates on Seattle Pride here.