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July 6, 2026 (Rochester, NY) – Brittan Hardgers and Aggy Dune have been named the Grand Marshal and Honorary Marshal of the 2026 Rochester Pride Parade and Festival. Hardgers is the founder of Next Generation Men of Transition and is a nationally recognized transgender advocate. Dune is a pioneer of Rochester’s drag scene and has dedicated her career to creating safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Pride Grand Marshal is a person who has made contributions to better the life of the LGBTQ+ Community in the Rochester Area in the past, present, and future. The Pride Honorary Marshal is a person who has made contributions to better the life of the LGBTQ+ Community and may have been overlooked in the past. Nominations were accepted online, and the winners were selected by community-based volunteers dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride in the Greater Rochester area.

The 2026 Rochester Pride Parade and Festival will take place Saturday, July 18 starting at 11:00 am. The parade will travel up South Avenue from Science Parkway to the festival site at Highland Park. Full details and festival tickets are available online at RochesterPride.com.

Grand Marshal – Brittan Hardgers

Brittan Hardgers is a nationally recognized trans advocate, educator, and public speaker dedicated to advancing trans justice, racial equity, and community care. They previously served as the Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement at the New Pride Agenda, where they led statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts across New York State, building coalitions and advancing protections for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers through legislative campaigns, civic engagement, and community organizing. Brittan also serves as a member of the Finger Lakes Hate & Bias Prevention Team, working to strengthen community responses to hate and bias incidents throughout the region.

In 2018, Brittan founded Next Generation Men of Transition (NGMT), a grassroots organization providing mutual aid, advocacy, and support for transmasculine and gender-expansive people. They are also the CEO of W.A.V.E Women Inc. and a Board Member of the House of GG, carrying forward the legacy of legendary activist Miss Major Griffin-Gracy through leadership, healing, and community empowerment.

In 2021, Brittan became the first openly Black transgender candidate for Rochester City Council, making history while championing visibility, dignity, and justice. They are the self-published author of Uniquely Made By You: An Affirmation Journal and creator of the award-winning documentary Remember Me Now, honoring transgender lives lost to violence. Their work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2025 HRC Community Partnership Award, the 2025 Radical Hearts Collective Award, the 2024 Community Service Awardfrom Unity Fellowship Church of Rochester, the 2023 & 2024 Community Hero Awards from W.A.V.E Women Inc., and the 2023 National Trail Blazer Award from the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition.

Honorary Marshal – Aggy Dune

Aggy Dune is a Rochester drag icon, entertainer, philanthropist, and community advocate whose influence on the region’s LGBTQ+ community spans more than four decades. Widely recognized as one of the pioneers of Rochester’s drag scene, Aggy has dedicated her career to creating spaces where authenticity, creativity, and pride can flourish.

Known for her razor-sharp wit, larger-than-life stage presence, and impeccable celebrity impersonations, Aggy has captivated audiences throughout New York and across the country. She is a longtime performer and co-creator of the acclaimed touring production Big Wigs, and has become a beloved fixture at community events, theaters, colleges, festivals, and fundraisers. Throughout her career, she has mentored generations of performers and helped shape Rochester into one of the most vibrant drag communities in the nation.

Beyond the spotlight, Aggy has consistently used her platform to support charitable causes and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community. She has participated in countless benefit performances, Pride celebrations, educational programs, and fundraising initiatives supporting local organizations, youth services, and community outreach efforts. Her commitment to service reflects her belief that drag is not only an art form, but also a powerful vehicle for visibility, education, and positive change.

As a performer, host, educator, and ambassador for equality, Aggy Dune has inspired countless individuals to embrace their authentic selves. Her enduring legacy, unwavering dedication to community service, and extraordinary contributions to Rochester’s LGBTQ+ culture make her a fitting and celebrated choice as the Pride Honorary Marshal of the 2026 Rochester Pride Parade & Festival