2010 Parade Grand Marshals

Nikolai Alekseev - International Hero

Nikolai Alekseev is a Russian LGBT rights activist, lawyer and journalist. He is the founder of Moscow Pride, which is officially banned year after year. Together with his advocate group LGBT Human Rights Project, Gayrussia.ru, he has organized a large number of unauthorized public actions to defend the rights of sexual minorities in Russia.

Alekseev planned to hold a Gay Pride in Moscow in 2006 but knew that the mayor of Moscow would not allow such event in the city. He was arrested at the first Moscow Pride and shortly after that, he realized that it wouldn't be possible to change things in Russia just by writing about them. It was then that gay activism and working to bring changes for LGBT rights became his full time occupation.

The leading French gay and lesbian magazine Tetu called him "the most stubbornly persistent activist on the continent" In 2006 he received the ILGCN Grizzly Bear (Moscow), honouring outstanding and courageous efforts in the face of unusually fierce homophobia. He also received the GALHA Award (London), in recognition of his courage in challenging homophobia in Russia and beyond. In June 2008 The Advocate called him a "global pride warrior" and Alekseev also received the HERO Award (Los Angeles) for his attempts to stage Pride.

In 2009, he launched a campaign for same-sex marriage in Russia where he continues to push boundaries. On May 29, 2010, Moscow Pride claimed a success when members of the LGBT community marched 700 metres in 12 minutes with the rainbow flag flying. We are honoured to have Nikolai Alekseev as our International Hero.

Candis Cayne - Role Model

Candis Cayne burst onstage in the mid-90s with a high kick at New York's 'Boy Bar' where her high production quality met tight choreography in a winning formula. The Hawaiian born Cayne rose quickly through the ranks and soon was enjoying star status as a model, actress and transgender performer.

Cayne didn't intend to be a spokesperson for transgender rights but her success was continually affected by the LGBT rights movement. She brought to the forefront equality and rights for everyone and wasn't afraid to stand up and speak out.

Cayne has appeared in television episodes of CSI: NY, Nip/Tuck, Chelsea Lately, American Music Awards and the GLAAD Media Awards. She appeared in the documentaries, Wigstock: the Movie and Stonewall and she co-choreographed the comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. In 2007 she was cast in the primetime television series Dirty Sexy Money and became the first transgendered actress to play a recurring transgender character on a network show. It was a major breakthrough for the LGBT community.

Cayne has demonstrated that a person can actually succeed irrespective of their sexual orientation. She is a strong advocate for transgender rights and a role model for her support of LGBT issues.

Barb Snelgrove - Local Hero

A long time advocate, volunteer and fixture in Vancouver's LGTB community, Barb Snelgrove has spent the last 13 years donating tens of thousands of hours to organizations as a volunteer, organizer and mentor.

Over the years Barb has volunteered for various charitable organizations including: Youthquest, the VPS "Cure For Cancer Cut-a-thon" and Loving Spoonful. She is a past board member of the Vancouver Pride Society, Qmunity (formerly LGTB Centre), Dogwood Monarchist Society and IDKE Vancouver. She is a member of the Vancouver City Hall LGTTBQ Advisory Committee and is chair of the sub-committee on creative capital.

Better known as "megamouthmedia", Barb has been the emcee of many well-known community events including the Pride Festival stage, Stardom Ball, various IDOL contests, Debauchery and The Feud. She offers up her hosting services for countless charity events such as The Gathering Place Block Party, Blundstone Boot Auction, GLASS Youth Choir Fundraiser and the annual Diorama Fundraiser.

Always willing to help out wherever she can, be it working behind the scenes, up front coordinating events or hosting from centre stage, Barb has donated her time, resources and knowledge to numerous community events over the years. Truly embodying the volunteer spirit, Barb's undying enthusiasm and selfless commitment to her community earned her the 2008 VPS Outstanding Community Member Award. We are thrilled to have Barb as our Community Grand Marshal for 2010.

Catherine White Holman - posthumous Pride Hero

Catherine White Holman was a pioneer and social worker who brought health services to the most marginalized people in Vancouver. She was a loving and devoted wife and friend and an active participant in the Vancouver community.

White Holman was a founding staff member and counselor at Vancouver's Three Bridges Clinic. She co-authored Guidelines on Social and Medical Advocacy for Transgender People and Loved Ones, and contributed to the B.C. Guidelines for Transgender Care and Care for Transgender Adolescents, which describes the standards and care practices used by medical professionals worldwide. She was a strong advocate for her clients and was a non-stop activist for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. White-Holman was an instructor at the University of British Columbia where she taught medical students sensitivity to LGTB and other social justice issues.

It was a great loss for our community when she perished in a float-plane crash near Saturna Island on November 2009. When the engines roar at the start of the parade, we'll think of her. Every time someone works on behalf of marginalized people, her spirit lives on.