If you’re going to stage a lesbian takeover of Atlanta Pride weekend, take some tips from comedian Lea DeLaria because she plans to do it right – as a parade marshal, park act and My Sister’s Room entertainer.
Atlanta Pride announced on Friday that the veteran LGBT standup performer, singer and “Orange is the New Black” actress will return to Atlanta Pride for the first time in 17 years, this time to take a ride in the Oct. 12 Pride parade as an honorary grand marshal, joined by several regular grand marshals. Later that day, DeLaria takes the stage as part of the afternoon lineup that leads into the festival-ending Starlight Cabaret.
But she’ll be plenty busy knocking gay Atlanta’s socks off before that. On Oct. 10, DeLaria headlines East Atlanta’s favorite lesbian joint My Sister’s Room. The MSR-Traxx Girls “50 Shades of Orange” Women’s Pride Party takes over not just the bar, but the entire block. Thanks to extra space donated by the Glenwood, the party goes hard inside and outside with four DJs including Grammy winner Annalyze, three dance floors, 10 bars, go-go dancers and more with DeLaria at the helm.
MSR co-owner Jennifer Maguire says that she and her partner Jami Siden are stoked.
“Jami and I are extremely excited to announce the 50 shades of Orange party exclusively at My Sisters Room,” Maguire says. “Lea will be charging the audience up as she will help us Emmcee and host on three different stages throughout the venue.”
Buck Cooke, Pride's executive director, says that DeLaria is more than worth all of the hubbub.
“Lea DeLaria has been an out, loud, and proud artist during her entire career, tackling comedy, music, and acting all while confronting stereotypes surrounding butch lesbians and educating audiences about the LGBTQ experience,” Cooke says in a prepared statement. “Because of her groundbreaking work as the first openly gay stand-up comedian to perform on television in the US and for her continued activism, we are delighted to recognize her as the Honorary Grand Marshal for the 2014 Atlanta Pride Parade.”
Chalk up the news as the first reveal for Sunday after a stream of Pride announcements about its Saturday lineup. DeLaria is the first openly gay act to be announced after a Saturday pop block of radio gals from bubblegum Meaghan Trainor and dance diva Amber to Country crossover Colbie Coillat. The full Pride schedule is expected by Sept. 30. In the meantime, check out DeLaria in action as a singer and comic, then read everything Pride has to say about her Atlanta visit.
APC ANNOUNCED: LEA DELARIA TAPPED AS HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL AND WILL PERFORM AT THE 2014 ATLANTA PRIDE FESTIVAL
Atlanta, Georgia. – The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) is pleased to announce that wildly popular actress, singer, and comedian, Lea DeLaria will serve as the 2014 Atlanta Pride Parade Honorary Grand Marshal! Her appearance will include a performance on the Coca-Cola Stage during the festival, sponsored by David Atlanta Magazine.
Atlanta Pride Committee Executive Director, Buck Cooke, said of the announcement, “Lea DeLaria has been an out, loud, and proud artist during her entire career, tackling comedy, music, and acting all while confronting stereotypes surrounding butch lesbians and educating audiences about the LGBTQ experience. Because of her groundbreaking work as the first openly gay stand-up comedian to perform on television in the US and for her continued activism, we are delighted to recognize her as the Honorary Grand Marshal for the 2014 Atlanta Pride Parade.”
Honorary Grand Marshals are individuals with a national or international reach who are engaged in activism that advances the cause of LGBTQ equality and live outside of Georgia.
Cooke added, “She is fantastic as Big Boo on ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and brings her nuanced character to life in a way that embraces the ‘sex’ in ‘homosexual’ but at the same time portrays Big Boo with a great deal of intellect and heart.”
In response to being selected to serve as this year's Honorary Grand Marshal, DeLaria, ever the comedian, quipped, “It is an honor to be selected as an Honorary Grand Marshal for the Atlanta Pride Parade. I cannot wait to get back to Atlanta! The girls there are really hot.”
Read more of our interview with DeLaria in the Official Atlanta Pride Guide, which will be distributed at the end of September.
Lea Delaria’s performance on Sunday, October 12, will be on the Coca-Cola Stage and is sponsored by David Atlanta Magazine. DeLaria previously performed at Atlanta Pride in both 1992 and 1997.
Regarding DeLaria’s stage performance, Cooke continued, “We are thrilled to have Lea perform at our festival for the third time and want to thank David Atlanta for making this possible as the sponsor of her performance.”
For detailed show times, download the Atlanta Pride Mobile Application available for iPhone and Android users and visit atlantapride.org for the most up-to-date details on all of our performers. Atlanta Pride will also release the full schedule next week.
