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Texas Freedom Parade steps off Sundayby David Taffet The Dallas VoiceFriday Sep 18, 2009
Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Jesse Garcia are grand marshals for the 26th annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade.
They step off at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20.
The parade is part of a weekend of Pride events that include Gay Day at Six Flags and "A Sordid Affair" at the Majestic Theater, both on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The parade runs through the Cedar Springs entertainment district and ends in Lee Park. More than 100 entries include VIPs plus 87 businesses and organizations.
Up to 40,000 spectators are expected. The Festival in Lee Park follows the parade.
The grand marshalls
Valdez is serving her second term as Dallas County sheriff. She is the only known Latina lesbian sheriff in the United States.
Garcia has been involved in a number of LGBT organizations. He was an original board member of the gay Latino group Valiente and helped form the Dallas Rainbow Council of the League of United Latin American Citizens. He is a past president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas and is an AIDS Arms volunteer.
"This is a great honor. It doesn’t get any better than this," said Garcia. "My mother is very proud of this recognition, too. She is very big about community events and parades back in my hometown.
"When I told her about this honor, it really impressed her."
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