2025 HERITAGE OF PRIDE GRAND MARSHAL
FEW PERFORMERS BALANCE POLITICS, PERFORMANCE AND ADVOCACY WITH THE GRACE AND GRIT OF MARTI GOULD CUMMINGS. A FIERCE FORCE IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, MARTI’S IMPACT EXTENDS FROM THE DRAG STAGE TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL—AND NOW, TO AN INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM. THIS YEAR, MARTI HAS BEEN NAMED A GRAND MARSHAL FOR NYC PRIDE 2025, A RECOGNITION THAT HONORS THEIR TIRELESS WORK FOR EQUALITY, REPRESENTATION AND JOY IN QUEER SPACES.
AS IF THAT WEREN’T ENOUGH, MARTI IS ALSO PREPARING FOR A JOURNEY TO AUSTRALIA WITH VACAYA, THE PREMIER LGBTQ+ TRAVEL COMPANY, WHERE THEY’LL BRING THEIR SIGNATURE CHARISMA DOWN UNDER. AND IN A LANDMARK CAREER MOMENT, MARTI’S STORY WILL SOON BE SHARED WITH THE WORLD IN A POWERFUL NEW DOCUMENTARY DEBUTING ON REVRY, OFFERING AN UNFILTERED LOOK INTO THEIR LIFE, STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS.
WE SAT DOWN WITH MARTI TO TALK ABOUT PRIDE, PURPOSE, GLOBAL QUEER CONNECTION—AND WHAT COMES NEXT.
Congratulations on being named a Grand Marshal for NYC Pride this year. What does this honor mean to you, especially in today’s political and cultural climate?
To follow in the footsteps of people like Miss Major and Raquel Willis and to be honored alongside Elisa Crespo and Lina Bradford is beyond what words can describe. These women are true leaders in our fight for liberation. Pride was a riot that came from police brutality, and today we still face this harm from legislators, police and ICE. I’m honored to be a small part in fighting back. Pride must be a protest and riot to fight the bigotry being thrown daily at our trans community.
You’ve been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ advocacy and performance. How does this Pride season feel different or more urgent for you compared to past years?
From the UK Supreme Court ruling against trans women to Hungary banning Pride events to here at home having over 600 anti LGBTQ pieces of legislation and a fascist regime hellbent on eradicating transgender people, this Pride must be a fight back against all of this. Yes, we must celebrate queer joy at Pride because we cannot allow them to take our joy, but we must also fight and take to the streets in protest.
Your voice has always combined entertainment with activism. How do you plan to use your Grand Marshal platform during Pride 2025 to amplify key messages?
I will use this platform to speak against ICE raids, genocide, violence and the oppression of trans people and immigrants. Liberation means liberation for all.You headed to Australia with VACAYA in May. What did that experience mean to you, both personally and professionally?I am so grateful to travel with this group and to now have made history as the first drag queen in history to perform on all seven continents!
VACAYA is known for creating inclusive queer travel experiences. How important is that kind of space in today’s LGBTQ+ landscape, especially for global visibility?
It’s incredibly important to provide safe spaces for all areas of our community, and I’m proud to work for a travel organization that prioritizes bringing LGBQTIA people together.
Your documentary premiered on Revry this month. Can you give us a glimpse of what the film covers and why this moment feels right to share your story?
“Queen of NY” chronicles my 2021 run for City Council, but more so, it shows queer, trans and non-binary people coming together to get involved in politics and working to support their neighbors.
How involved were you in shaping the narrative of the documentary, and what parts of your life were most important to include?
The film is a journalistic telling of my campaign, so I had no input to what was shown or featured in the film. I am very proud that they showed our campaign bringing queer people together.
Visibility in media is more important than ever. What do you hope viewers—especially younger queer people—take away from your film?
I want those viewers to see themselves represented, to see that their voices are valued and heard and that people out there are fighting for them, and they too can get involved.
With everything happening—Pride honors, global travel, a film release—how are you staying grounded and creatively fueled?
Self-care is so important. Taking moments of pause by myself to recharge and spending time with my fiancé and our dogs and friends helps.
What’s next for Marti Gould Cummings? Beyond the parade and the premiere, what new dreams or directions are you pursuing this year?
Of course I’d like to try Broadway next, but we shall see!
For more information
marticummings.comhttp://martigcummings.com
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