Community advocate Deaunte Damper has been named a grand marshal for the 2026 Seattle Pride Parade, an honor recognizing his impactful work at the intersection of Black identity, public health, and LGBTQ advocacy. This development aligns with Seattle Pride 2026’s theme, “Rally,” which underscores unity, visibility, and collective action in response to increasing challenges faced by LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
Interview by Chris B. Bennett.



