Thelma Houston named grand marshal for Long Beach Pride Parade

A disco queen and an actor will be saying it loud and proud next month.

Thelma Houston, the Grammy Award-wiing singer of “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” and Wendell James of the TV series “Raising Whitley” will be the grand marshals for the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade on May 22.

Thelma Houston

Houston, who grew up in Long Beach, has been long-time supporter of the LGBT community and said she’s excited to retu to Long Beach and appear in the parade.

“We have been supporting each other for so long that I consider the LGBT community my family, and I love that fact that I can continue to give back,” Houston said in a statement aouncing her as a grand marshal.

Wendell James

James, on the other hand, came out of the closet as gay last year. His struggle to reconcile his sexuality and his religious beliefs was featured on “Raising Whitley,” where James is a “Hollywood Husband” to comediee Kym Whitley and a father figure to her son.

“We all have some sort of struggle in life and we all want to be heard, but some people are just too afraid to speak out for fear of what others may think,” James said in a statement. “I lived with my struggle long enough until I spoke out and not only did it help me but, it helped others, so I decided to use my platform to speak for those who can’t.”

The parade, festival

The parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. on Ocean Boulevard at Lindero Avenue and marches west to Alamitos Avenue.

The Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival will take place May 21-22 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. along Shoreline Drive at Marina Green and Rainbow Lagoon.

Earlier this month, it was aounced that alteative rock band Neon Trees will headline the festival on that Sunday.

Tickets for the festival are $25 a day at the gate and $20 a day if purchased online.

Children under age 12 are free, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Senior citizens over 65 are admitted free with valid ID as well as veterans and active military with ID.

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