PrideChicago PRESS RELEASE
Marching under the theme “Free to Be Proud,” the PRCC will lead the 2026 procession, highlighting the intersection of heritage, housing, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
CHICAGO – (April 7, 2026) – PRIDEChicago, the all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization behind the iconic Chicago Pride Parade, is proud to announce the Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) as the “Out Front” community group for the 2026 Chicago Pride Parade.
Positioned at the head of the June 28th procession, the PRCC is being recognized for its tireless work in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood to dismantle homophobia and transphobia while integrating LGBTQ+ advocacy into the core of public health and housing justice.
“The Puerto Rican Cultural Center embodies the spirit of our 2026 theme, Free to Be Proud,” said Terra Campbell, Director of Community Engagement for PRIDEChicago. “Through their life-saving work at El Rescate and Vida/SIDA, they have proven that freedom is only real when it includes a safe place to sleep, culturally relevant healthcare, and a community that affirms your right to exist authentically.”
For decades, the PRCC has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s grassroots activism. Their LGBTQ+ initiatives are national models for intersectional care, most notably El Rescate Transitional Living, which provides essential housing for homeless LGBTQ+ and HIV+ youth. Through their Vida/SIDA program, the PRCC delivers culturally competent health and prevention services, ensuring that LGBTQ+ equity remains a central pillar of the broader Puerto Rican and Latine communities.
“This recognition is especially meaningful as our Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade on June 13, 2026, carries the theme Celebrando Orgullo Boricua: Puerto Rican Gay Pride, Aquí y Allá,” said Juan M. Calderon, Deputy Executive Director for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. “We are proud to celebrate the diversity and strength of our community, including leaders such as Miguel Méndez Pérez, the first openly gay Mayor of Isabela, Puerto Rico, and Jessie Fuentes, 26th Ward Alderperson, an openly lesbian leader making an important impact in our community.”
“We receive this honor with gratitude and reaffirm our commitment to uplifting the full diversity of our people,” Calderon added.
Leading the Way: 2026 Community Grand Marshals
The PRCC joins an esteemed lineup of 2026 honorees previously announced by PRIDEChicago. These Community Grand Marshals reflect the diverse history and resilient future of the movement:
- Tracy Baim: Iconic journalist, historian, and co-founder of Windy City Times.
- Mona Noriega: Former Chair of the Illinois Commission on Human Rights and Lambda Legal leader.
- Evette Cardona: Philanthropic leader and co-founder of Amigas Latinas.
- The Alliance of Illinois Judges (AIJ): Represented by President Judge Jill Rose Quinn, the state’s first openly transgender elected official.
The Legacy of the Chicago Pride Parade
Founded in 1970 as the Gay Liberation March to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising, the Chicago Pride Parade has evolved over 55 years from a protest march into one of the world’s largest declarations of visibility. Today, it remains a platform for advocacy, supporting those living with HIV/AIDS and championing the civil rights of all LGBTQ+ individuals.
The 55th annual Chicago Pride Parade steps off at 11 a.m. (CST) on Sunday, June 28, 2026, beginning at the corner of Grace and Broadway and traveling through the landmark Northalsted neighborhood.
This year’s theme, “Free to Be Proud,” honors the hard-won progress achieved by generations before us while recognizing that freedom is not equally experienced by all—and must be continually protected and expanded.
Get Involved
To march, volunteer, or support the parade’s mission of sustainability and advocacy, please visit pridechicago.org.
Press materials available for download at this link: https://pridechicago.org/media-guide/
About PRIDEChicago
PRIDEChicago is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through the annual Chicago Pride Parade and year-round advocacy efforts, PRIDEChicago honors the legacy of those who came before us while investing in the future of LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago and across Illinois.
