Courtesy of Miami Beach Gay Pride

LGBTQ rights activist, author, lecturer, and Transgender issues advocate Chaz Bono will headline the Fourth Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade as Grand Marshal, announced Babak Movahedi, president of the Pride board of directors.

The Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade kicks of at noon on Sunday, April 15, along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th Streets. The year's Pride weekend is presented by Stolichnaya premium vodka.

'Chaz's courage, activism, and contributions to the whole community stand as inspirations to us all,' Movahedi said. 'We are extremely proud to have Chaz, who is a true trailblazer, as our grand marshal this year.'

The only child of famed entertainers Sonny and Cher, Bono came out as a Lesbian to his parents at 18 years old in 1987, but he did not come out publicly until April 1995 in an interview with The Advocate, the national Gay and Lesbian news magazine. His decision to come out publicly prompted his public work in support of LGBTQ rights and social justice.

Bono has written three books including Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man - a groundbreaking and candid account of a 40-year struggle to match his gender identity with his physical body and his ultimate transformation from female to male. He told Oprah Winfrey on her May 10, 2011 show, 'As early as I had memory and consciousness, I was a boy.'

His first documentary, Becoming Chaz, is an intimate and honest documentary revealing the humanity and courage it took for him to ultimately embrace his true self. The film received a standing ovation at its Sundance debut and was nominated for three Emmy Awards. His second, Being Chaz, chronicles Bono as he embraces his new life and he prepares for his debut on ABC's Dancing with the Stars amidst controversy and threats to his life over his decision to participate in the show.

Bono's public speaking career includes being keynote speaker at the annual fundraiser for the Mautner Project, as well as at numerous LGBTQ events.

While Bono has found great fulfillment in his work as a national activist, his true passion lies in reaching out and raising awareness among young minds through college lecturing.

Following the parade, the Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival will feature musical performances by Kristine W, Wynter Gordon, Jessica Sutta from the Pussy Cat Dolls, JoJo, Frenchie Davis and Inaya Day; a roster of international DJs, including Scotty Thomson; as well as 125 LGBTQ-friendly vendors and businesses; a food court; refreshments; and a family-friendly play area.

Coming into its fourth year, Miami Beach Gay Pride has grown into the largest, single-day event of the year in Miami Beach. The hugely successful event in 2011 attracted more than 40,000 people from all walks of life, all parts of the country, all age groups, and all orientations. The mission of Miami Beach Gay Pride is to bring together members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and questioning community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTQ community.

For more information and a schedule of events that begin April 12, visit www.miamibeachgaypride.com.

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