'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Peppermint Joins SA's Pride Parade as Celebrity Marshal

The long, hot days that signal summer’s arrival bring with them the boisterous activities that make up LGBTQ Pride. Although it’s always been a popular month for Pride celebrations across the nation (many commemorating the Stonewall Riots that occurred in June of 1969), June became officially recognized as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in 2000 via Proclamation 7316, signed by President Bill Clinton on June 2. This validation of Pride Month and the festivals themselves represents not only pride in oneself, identity and community, but a push for basic civil rights, like same-sex marriage (a nationwide right since June 26, 2015). Bucking the trend a bit by celebrating in July, Pride San Antonio is set to once again take over Crockett Park and the surrounding area with the annual Pride Bigger Than Texas Festival & Parade.  Having both made huge strides for transgender rights in Boy Scouts and University Interscholastic League sporting activities, Joe Maldonaldo and Mack Beggs have been named the 2017 Grand Marshals of San Antonio’s Pride Parade. Our Grand Marshals are not limited to these two trans youths, however. Considered the first RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant to enter the series as a transgender woman, season nine favorite Peppermint (also known as Agnes Moore, pictured) is set to join the parade as this year’s Celebrity Marshal. After a full day of music, food, drinks and live entertainment in the park (11am-7pm), the party spills out into the streets for the Rainbow Dash (a family-friendly one-mile fun run/walk), Krystal Kelly Running of the Queens High Heel Race at 8:45pm (waiver required), the Pride Parade at 9pm (featuring floats, marching units and local dignitaries) and a block party along the Main Strip. Free (festival entry $10), 11am-2am Sat, Jul. 1, Crockett Park (1300 N. Main Ave.) & Main Strip (1402-1500 N. Main Ave.), pridesanantonio.org.