Eric Alva named parade grand marshal
Openly gay ex-Marine and activist Eric Alva is the grand marshal of this year's Chicago 39th Annual Pride Parade, which will commence Sun., June 29, at 12 p.m.
Alva is best known for coming out in 2007 and joining Congressman Martin Meehan in introducing the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill designed to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
He is the first U.S. resident wounded in the Iraq War, a Purple Heart recipient and the Human Rights Campaign spokesperson against the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Since coming out, he has been featured on Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper 360, Live with Paula Zahn, Newsweek, USA Today and numerous other newspaper and radio stations across the country.
With the announcement of the parade's Grand Marshal, PRIDEChicago-which organizes the parade-is also reminding potential parade participant that the cut off date for registration is Sat., June 14, or until all 250 slots are filled, whichever comes first. Contact Richard Pfeiffer at 773-348-8243; e-mail [email protected]; or visit www.ChicagoPrideCalendar.org.