Raising Pride, Rallying for Change: Deaunte Damper Leads Seattle’s Pride Month Kickoff
Deaunte Damper addresses the crowd at the Pride Flag Raising ceremony in Downtown Seattle on Monday. (Photo: Erik Kalligraphy)
June 1st marked the start of Pride Month in Seattle, and the community energy was palpable. Deaunte Damper, host of We Live In Color and Grand Marshal for Seattle Pride 2026, led the charge with back-to-back Pride Flag Raising ceremonies in the heart of downtown, signaling a month defined by equal parts celebration and activism.
The day began at the King County Administration Building, where Damper stood alongside King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and community advocates to hoist the Pride flag. The momentum continued just across the street at Seattle City Hall, where Damper joined the Seattle LGBTQ Commission and elected officials to raise the colors over the city, unifying the community in a shared display of visibility.
However, for Damper, the ceremonies were about more than just the symbolism of the flag. He took the opportunity to speak truth to power, sharing his own personal journey and the hurdles he overcame to stand as a leader in the community today.
With this year’s official Pride theme centered on the call to “RALLY,” Damper issued a profound challenge to those in attendance: don't just celebrate—rally. He called for a shift in perspective, urging the community to show up with urgency and purpose. For Damper, the path forward requires rallying for justice and visibility, grounded in an absolute, unapologetic love for one another.
As the city enters a month of festivities, the message is clear: this is a time to remember where the movement came from, acknowledge the obstacles still ahead, and lock arms for the future.
Let’s carry this energy all month long.
Learn more about Seattle Pride at seattlepride.org
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