(CORPUS CHRISTI) – Nueces County Judge Barbara A. Canales has been named as the Grand Marshal for the June 8, 2019, PRIDE Parade in Corpus Christi.  Judge Canales, who has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights and a strong opponent of discrimination, will headline the one-mile long parade down Shoreline Boulevard concluding at Waters Edge Park.

“This is the fourth Annual PRIDE Celebration, including the Third Annual PRIDE Parade,” said Bill Hoelscher, Board President of the Mosaic Project of South Texas, Inc., which organizes the week-long celebration. “We are honored to have Judge Canales front and center demonstrating her commitment to equality, justice, and dignity. PRIDE is an event that celebrates love, diversity, and beauty of the LGBTQIA+ community within Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend, the state, nation and world. “

Judge Canales is a former Port Corpus Christi Commission Secretary, a graduate of Corpus Christi’s W.B. Ray High School, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston. A former practicing attorney, Judge Canales is active in numerous charities including; The Ready or Not Foundation, President; Education is our Freedom Scholarship Foundation; Dr. Hector Garcia Memorial Foundation; United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce; Eagle Ford Shale Consortium Committee; Robstown EDC; EFCREO Texas A&M University Kingsville; South Texas Institute of the Arts Development Committee; the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization; Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program; and Coastal Bend Council of Governments. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Corpus Christi Bar Association, and a Founding Board Member of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, & Emeritus Board Member of the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber. Distinguished honors include the, LULAC Council No. 1 Community Leadership Award, NAACP Humanitarian Award, Las Estrellas Award from the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, Girl Scouts of Corpus Christi Hall of Honor Award, a TAMACC Woman of Distinction, University of Texas at Austin Distinguished Young Engineer Award, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President’s Award, Philanthropist of the Year from the Nueces County Democratic Party, and the Y Women in Careers Award for Law.  She is the mother of five wonderful children.

“Much progress has been made to secure the rights and protect the dignity of LGBTQIA+ individuals,” Judge Canales said. “It is an honor to lead the 2019 PRIDE Parade and continue my personal commitment to full equality for every resident of Nueces County. LGBTQIA individuals are your neighbors, your customers, and your clients. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are not values we espouse in Nueces County.”

The goal of the 2019 PRIDE Parade is to broaden participation in the parade to businesses, industry, government, schools, non-profits, community organizations, individuals and families and allies of LGBTQIA+ individuals to showcase the support for equality and human rights. The parade begins at 3 p.m. at Shoreline Boulevard and Interstate 37 and is expected to conclude by approximately 4:30 p.m. A community Block Party will follow from 4-9 p.m.

Entries for the 2019 PRIDE Parade are free for Active Duty Military or Veterans Organizations as well as school-affiliated groups. Commercial businesses may enter a float, car or marchers for $150. Non-profit organizations may enter for $75 and governmental entities may join in the parade for $50. Miscellaneous groups, like friends, co-workers, or clubs may be a part of the parade for $25. Individuals who wish to march in the parade can do so for only $10.

Under the umbrella of The Mosaic Project of South Texas – a 501(c)(3) organization – PRIDE Corpus Christi, is an annual festival focused on commemorating, educating, and celebrating LGBTQIA+ equality and human rights.