Former NBA player John Amaechi will be the grand marshal for a gay pride festival in West Hollywood this summer.
It is a GREAT choice...certainly better than Paris Hilton who somehow was picked a few years ago. I'm still not over that one.
Organizers said Amaechi was selected because he showed courage and conviction despite personal risk in coming out publicly earlier this year when his book, "Man in the Middle" was published.
"We are inspired by Amaechi's courage and convictions. Despite personal risk, he opened himself up to the world and showed his authentic self," said Rodney Scott, president of Christopher Street West, an organization that advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community."
Here is a link to my STORY on Amechi that ran in the Daily News a few months ago.
The Los Angeles LGBT Pride Celebration is set for June 8-10 and includes a parade on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Says Amaechi: "I am honored to be the grand marshal at this year's Pride Celebration celebrating equality for each of us."