PRIDEChicago has announced that Wilson Cruz, an openly gay actor and a gay youth advocate, will be the grand marshal of this year's 36th Annual Pride Parade, which kicks off Sunday, June 26 at noon.
Cruz is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Ricki Vasquez on the television series My So-Called Life. His character was the first gay teenager to be featured on a regular nighttime series. Cruz came out publically in real life while on the show. His other credits include the shows Party of Five, Ally McBeal, and ER as well as the movies Party Monster, Supernova, and Johns.
In addition to his acting, Cruz is a gay youth advocate and was a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Gay Community Center's teen program, where he worked regularly with homeless gay teens. As a teen, Cruz himself was thrown out of his home for being gay.
Contact PRIDEChicago at ( 773 ) 348-8243.
The annual Chicago Dyke March will take place Sat., June 25 starting at Trumbull Elementary School, on the corner of Ashland and Foster. Participants will meet at the school at 2 p.m., the march will begin at 3 p.m., and a lakeside rally will start at 4 p.m..
E-mail dykemarch@chicagodykemarch.org or call ( 773 ) 250-7876.