Commissioner Lesley Briones will serve as Ally Grand Marshal for the 46th Annual Official Houston LGBT+ Pride Parade.   

The announcement was made Sunday afternoon during Pride Houston 365’s Cinco De Mayo celebration at Axelrad.   

Pride Grand Marshals are nominated and voted on by the community.  

“I am deeply honored to be named Ally Grand Marshal of the Houston LGBT+ Pride Parade. I have participated in the Parade with my daughters as a private citizen, an elected judge, and a County Commissioner. My journey to public service was an unexpected blessing, and one that could not have happened without the support of the LGBTQIA+ community. I have been and always will be a proud ally and accomplice in our fight for equality,” Commissioner Briones said.   

Pride Houston 365 defines the Ally Grand Marshal as a person who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the Houston LGBTQIA+ community.  

Upon taking office in January 2023, Commissioner Briones announced that Harris County Precinct 4 would participate in the Houston LGBT+ Pride Parade for the first time in the Precinct’s history. Precinct 4 also proudly sponsored the 2nd annual Families with Pride event at Levy Park, located within the Precinct.   

Commissioner Briones also drove change and promoted equality in Harris County by amplifying the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community. She led the creation of Harris County’s first LGBTQIA+ Commission, appointed Dr. Cody Pyke as the first openly transgender, nonbinary person to serve on the Harris Health System Board of Trustees, and appointed several other LGBTQIA+ community leaders to serve on key boards and commissions, including the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority.  

Commissioner Briones earned the endorsement of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus during her re-election as judge for Harris County Civil Court at Law Number 4, and her campaign for Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner.  

In October 2023, she received The Caucus’ 2023 Eleanor Tinsley Ally Award.  

“Representation matters. And in this moment, where the Human Rights Campaign has for the first time in its history, declared a national state of emergency for LGBT+ people, I am proud to double down on my unwavering support, celebrating, uplifting, and advocating for equality for this community 365 days a year. I deeply believe everyone’s equality is inextricably linked, and I am committed to continue building an inclusive Harris County where everyone has the freedom to be their full, authentic selves,” said Commissioner Briones.  

The parade and festival will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Downtown Houston. This year’s theme is “You Won’t Break Our Pride”.   

Commissioner Briones will serve alongside six other Grand Marshals:  

Male Identifying: Kevin Anderson 

Female Identifying: Joelle Espeut

Gender Nonbinary & Gender Nonconforming: Odyssey Oakengrove 

Trendsetter: Olivia Julianna

 Honorary: C. Patrick McIlvain & Sara Fernandez