2023 Grand Marshal Nominees

Here are your 2023 St Pete Pride Grand Marshal nominees! Cast your vote in the form below

Alex Quinto

Alex Quinto

Alex Quinto is a School Counselor for Pinellas County Schools. Alex holds a B.A. in Psychology and a master's degree in Counselor Education with a concentration on School Counseling. Growing up as a rainbow sheep in a world full of wolves, his plans for survival quickly changed from being a performer into aiding children who were just like him. After years of earning support and acceptance within his community, he found his love for supporting students in schools. He was recently awarded Educator of the Year with the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and continues to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and youth. When working to support the LGBTQIA+ community, Alex believes in the three A’s: Accountability, Authenticity, and Advocacy. Accountability by ensuring that everyone understands their actions and the consequences that follow; Authenticity, allowing every individual to be their truest self without judgment; Advocacy by means of supporting and defending all individuals. Through these focuses, he aims to meet his goal of creating the world a safe and welcoming environment for all walks of life -- where we can all grow and learn without any hindrances.

Alexis De La Mer

Alexis De La Mer

Alexis De La Mer is Originally from New York, n Now Happily lives in St.Pete, She's been performing for about 20 Years, n Loves to Give Back to her Community. She Hosts Bingo at Quench in Largo Every Tuesday for Local Non Profit Organization's, n has been for the last 4 Years. She now Hosts Bingo at Zoie's in St.Pete on Wednesdays for Local 501C3 Organizations as Well, n is a Server there during the Day. Alexis is a Cancer Survivor, n Donates her Free Time to Moffitt Cancer Center, who Saved her Life. Alexis is a Former Miss Come OUT St.Pete, n Miss Sawmill Supreme, and the Current Reigning Central Glam Royal Pride of Nations at Large.

Angelique Young-Cavalier

Angelique Young-Cavalier

The show director and host of Sickoning Sundays at Showbar Ybor. Creator of Drag2Talle an activist group that championed connecting the community with lobbying and legislation in Tallahassee with the help of Equality Florida. She continues her work in her community both on and off the stage. She has competed and won various pageants, competitions and talent nights all over the US. She got her start in entertainment in Pittsburgh,Pa 17 years ago. She is happy to help up and coming entertainers and ensuring the future of drag is not only bright but professional. She also has An up and coming business in Natural Based and Vegan Anti aging products. A certified specialist in Hair and skincare, she can be found on Instagram under @DNCNDIVA

Ashley T Brundage

Ashley T Brundage

Ashley T Brundage is the President and CEO of Empowering Differences. While seeking employment at PNC Bank in the United States, she identified openly during the interview process as a woman of transgender experience and subsequently was hired after facing years of harassment, discrimination, and homelessness. These factors led her to start her second career as a means of survival while doing research on empowerment & differences. She took a role in the bank as a part time teller and then rose to national Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion in less than 5 years. She captured her research as a 4-Step process of empowerment to cultivate change in her new book and online leadership course. Ashley credits her success to those closest to her for providing actionable allyship including her 2 teenage sons, Bryce and Blake.

Chris Gorman

Chris Gorman

Chris Gorman, a Pinellas County Native, currently serves as the Secretary for Come OUT St. Pete and was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the Longstreth Family LGBTQIA+ Scholarship with St. Petersburg College. He was previously the Constituent Services Intern for District 62 Florida State Representative, Michele Rayner-Goolsby, and is currently a co-host for The Big Gay Radio Show on 88.5 WMNF Community Radio, Tampa Bay’s only LGBTQIA+ Focused Radio Talk Show on FM Radio.

Claire Eli

Claire Eli

I'm extremely passionate about the LGBTQ+ community. My passion extends pass my words and into my actions. I founded and currently the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization called Project No Labels. Our mission is to unite our LGBTQ+ community with our straight allies through positive activities and events while promoting volunteerism and activism. The organization has been around successfully for over 8 yrs. One of our biggest accomplishments would be helping bring to light the need to elevate the trans community. In 2016, PNL had over 500 people march with us in support of our trans community during St Pete Pride. It sparked the beginning of the Trans Pride March which we also helped establish alongside St Pete Pride and Equality Florida in 2017. We had a pre-registration of 700 people and in 2019 had a pre registration of over 2000 participants. I’m also extremely proud of helping establish our Mental Health Program, “Dear Self You Are Worth It” alongside Cypress Wellness Center, making inclusive mental wellness attainable for all.

De'Mario Jives

De'Mario Jives

De'Mario Jives an entrepreneur, graphic designer, social activist, and a humanitarian. When reporting the news, he stands for truth, facts, and evidence in the face of criticism. He has collaborated with numerous NAACP, White House, and congressional officials. He uses his platform to raise awareness of all social concerns and seeks to inform his audience, promote harmony, and deliver healing humor. As a son of a pastor, he has moved in many influential, religious and political circles which has enabled him to work together with the Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, California, and New York chapters of the NAACP on a variety of humanitarian missions. He was at the forefront of the struggle against marriage inequality, immigration, police violence, education, and housing & land development such that he acted as a bridge between diverse communities and worked directly with leaders to create and implement solutions for all. He was heavily involved with the 2022 Florida primary, working with many prominent figures in their outreach efforts of reaching black and brown communities for their betterment with new land development, better public education, affordable housing.

Dr. Rishi Patel

Dr. Rishi Patel

Dr. Rishi Patel is a highly academically prepared pharmaceutical professional holding a Doctorate of Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University, a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology from the University of Florida. Dr. Patel has over 22 years of experience and expertise in pharmacy services management. Dr. Patel is accomplished and experienced in cultivating a flourishing multi-million dollar business start-up, maintaining excellent customer relations, and showing leadership skills, including organizational acumen and team-building strengths. He joined the CAN family as Chief Pharmacy Officer in August 2015 and was appointed President & CEO by the Board of Directors in 2021. In addition, Dr. Patel was recently inducted into the Florida Council 100 this past year.

Jesse Miller

Jesse Miller

Jesse Miller serves as director for Girls Rock St. Pete, a volunteer-led movement to support girls, women and gender-expansive folks through music, mentorship and social justice. For 25 years she has worked at the intersection of art & advocacy, supporting those on the margins by building platforms for the voiceless. For 15 years Jesse ran the Heart Gallery of Tampa serving local foster kids to improve their quality of life & find loving adoptive families. Adoption rates for the hardest-to-place children (teens, children of color, those with disabilities, large sibling groups) improved by 50% and over 600 children languishing in foster care were adopted during her term. She has served on 28 boards and committees locally and abroad supporting youth, the trans and queer community, justice work and the arts. Jesse’s nonprofit management, communications and graphic design skills have transformed start-up nonprofits in scope & services to the community. This work has garnered awards & exposure including the Today Show, Oprah, The Lightning Community Heroes, and Business Woman of the Year. Jesse & her wife Kj are doting aunties, bird nerds, & educators with a fierce love of St. Pete.

Justice Gennari

Justice Gennari

Justice Gennari is the President & CEO of the Tampa Bay LGBTQ Chamber. He is a driven & results oriented leader who has worked tirelessly to strengthen his organization & to create an inclusive business environment across seven counties. During his tenure he has increased new member recruitment, engagement & retention. He has raised the status & overall awareness of the organization through increased advocacy efforts & value focused programming. In 2019, Justice was instrumental in Tampa Bay being selected to host the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce’s International Business & Leadership Conference, the largest LGBTQ business conference in the world. In 2021 & 2022, he worked with the National LGBTQ Chamber, & GrubHub to identify local LGBTQ restaurants for over 1.5 million dollars in grant funding. Justice serves as a board member of Synapse Florida & Chair of their Inclusion Lives Here Committee, Chair of the City of Tampa's Equal Business Opportunity Council, Equality Florida’s Equality Means Business Committee, & South Tampa Chamber DEI Committee. He is a committed community advocate who is dedicated to improving the quality of life of ALL that reside and work in Tampa Bay.

McKenna White

McKenna White

Mckenna White is a writer, artist, and actress born and raised in Florida, and currently living in Bradenton. At only 23, she is the reigning National American Miss Florida, and is the first openly queer woman to ever hold the title, and the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to hold a Miss Florida title in any system. A staunch LGBTQ+ and equal rights proponent, Mckenna has been advocating for more diversity in pageants, and has been a key figure in the ongoing battle for LGBTQ+ equality and protections for all Floridians. At the age of 18, she helped organize one of the nation’s largest March For Our Lives protests in the aftermath of the shooting in Parkland, FL. Her past and current efforts as a Sandy Hook Promise Leader have lead to gun reform statewide and nationally. Mckenna continues to be a beacon of self-acceptance and a champion for human rights on all fronts in her community and across the country.

Rev. Andy Oliver

Rev. Andy Oliver

Rev. Andy Oliver (he/him/his) is Pastor of Allendale United Methodist Church, a community that is committed to anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ joy, solidarity with the marginalized, and the liberation of all people. He is a national leader in the 50 year long movement to rid his denomination of discrimination, openly breaking unjust rules that forbid same-sex marriage and queer clergy. Andy practices ministry without fear, even as he has faced a 5 year threat to strip his credentials. In response to attempts by our state to dehumanize, Pastor Andy is hosting Drag Queen Gospel Hour in worship on 5th Sundays of the month. As a cis-het white man, Andy would prefer to center other nominees, but is honored to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community. No matter what any church, family member, or governor says… you are a child of God and your full self is a gift to the world!

Rico Taylor

Rico Taylor

Rico is a St. Pete native an Army veteran and a proud Transman. He is a former Mister St.Pete Pride 2013, who was recently blessed to come back,attend, and judge his 10 year anniversary. Rico has been performing for 13 years now where he has held multiple titles all over the state of Fl. When Rico isn't on stage you can find him helping with community outreach and benefits. Rico is a proud pup in the leather community. He has merged his love for entertaining with being his authentic self. His favorite hash tag when he was regining for Royal Pride Of Nations National was #yearofthepup. Rico truly love everything about his home town and believes all communities should be represented and seen. DE&I is a huge part of his life and he loves learning new parts of the community to make sure he is welcoming to everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to represent multiple parts of the community.

Ryan Young

Ryan Young

Ryan Young is an advocate for equity & inclusivity, making a significant impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. Growing up in a small town, he witnessed the challenges posed by discrimination. Seeking a supportive environment, Ryan moved to NYC, where he became involved with the Ali Forney Center for Homeless LGBTQIA+ Youth, igniting his passion for community service. Later, he relocated to Tampa and found purpose through his involvement with Balance Tampa Bay, an LGBTQIA+ organization promoting service and philanthropy. He currently serves as the President of Balance, leading the organization toward a more inclusive society through monthly socials and service events with local non-profits. Beyond Balance, Ryan lent his expertise as the Special Events Coordinator for EPIC, organizing significant events like The SMART Ride, which brought in over $200,000 in the last two years for HIV/AIDS organizations to Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Recognized for his contributions, Ryan was honored as the Tampa Bay Business Journal's 2023 Business of Pride Voice Honoree.

Stephanie Stuart

Stephanie Stuart

I've been doing drag shows in this area for almost 30 years. I've been titled every year for the last 10 years and most of those service titles is Ocala Pride Ms Pasco Pride Miss ASAP Miss come out St Pete and I'm currently the reiging Central Glen Royal pride of Nations. I've had the pleasure of living my life as a transgender woman for almost 30 years I am also a 30-year survivor of the HIV virus and now a 3-year cancer survivor. I had the honored to be Miss St Pete Pride in 2014 I love the community of St Pete and would be honored to be this year's Grand Marshal.

Tamara Leigh

Tamara Leigh

Advocate & Activist, Leigh has dedicated her life to championing for the BIPOC, QTPOC & LGBTQ+ communities. Starting her career in PR with the formation of Roc Candy Media, an urban PR firm in Rochester, NY in 2010, she went on to become Director of Operations and Public Relations for Out Alliance in New York and Editor of Empty Closet Magazine, the longest continuously published LGBTQ+ publication in the nation. Tamara is the Founder of Tampa Bay Black Lesbians, a community of nearly 1,000 Black & Brown Queer Women in Florida & VP of The BlaQQueer Unity Council, a coalition of Black & Brown Queer Leadership orgs in Central FL. She has spoken & educated on the topics of Implicit Bias, Queer & Trans Rights & the Intersectionality of QTPOC at rallies, in Board Rooms, and classes & companies nationwide. In 2020, Leigh launched Blaque/OUT Consulting & Blaque/OUT Magazine to further educate about Intersectionality & create space for Black & Brown Queer communities. She has been an integral part of the diversification & inclusion efforts of St Pete Pride, creating the 1st LGBTQIA+ Juneteenth event, Shades of Pride & partnering with SPP to host the annual TBBL Get NUDE: Shades of Melanin.

Tampa Pride, Inc.

Tampa Pride, Inc.

TAMPA PRIDE, INC formed in 2014 after the original Tampa Pride organization disbanded in 2002 after a Hillsborough County Commissioner proposed that Hillsborough County NOT acknowledge, promote or finance any LGBT events in Hillsborough County. In 2013 a full change in the county government elected an openly gay candidate to become a sitting commissioner. A super-majority changed the negative to a positive for the Hillsborough County LGBTA+ community and county. Having started Tampa Pride with a handful of volunteers in 2014, the first Tampa Pride Festival and Diversity Parade was set to be held in the spring of March 2015. Our anticipation was to have 10,000 attend but 25,000+ greeted us in Ybor City on the sidewalks. It has been wonderful history and joyful growth since. Now 100,000+ attendees, multiple enjoyable venues, sold out Diversity Parade and Festival registries months in advance, and PRIDE at NIGHT Celebrity Concerts. The creation of Tampa Pride Foundation has given out $15,000 this spring to 10 area Scholarship recipients. Tampa Pride, Inc, a major part of this Great Tampa Bay Community rich in LGBTQ+ history and positive progression.

Tommy Whitehead

Tommy Whitehead

Tommy (he/him/his) is a Licensed Residential Contractor and the owner of one of 50 LGBTBE Certified construction companies nationwide. While Tommy enjoys his career, he always says that his “passion lies with non-profit work”. Tommy has extensive non-profit credentials including but not limited to serving as the President of the Tampa Bay Bears for 2022 & 2023, past treasurer for the GaYbor District Coalition, and has just launched the Pride Construction Coalition to advocate for LGBT opportunities in the construction industry. He has been the driving force at multiple organizations for fundraising and is proud to have raised thousands of dollars for various worthy causes. Additionally, Tommy is elated to have been recently nominated for the TBBJ OUTstanding Voice in the community for 2023. Personally, Tommy is proud of his husband Nathan and son Matthew. When not volunteering at his son’s school or other charitable organizations, Tommy loves spending time with his family at local theme parks, museums, and the pool. Tommy has never met a stranger so feel free to connect on LinkedIn or say hello if you see him out!

THANK YOU

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