Dallas Pride Announces 2026 Grand Marshals: Trailblazers in Advocacy, and Community Leadership.
Reflecting the enduring spirit of our 2026 theme, “Rainbows Don’t Wash Away,” Dallas Pride is proud to introduce our 2026 Grand Marshals: Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison and Dallas City Council Member Chad West.
From championing vibrant neighborhood development to fiercely advocating for marginalized and immigrant communities, these leaders have redefined what it means to build a more inclusive North Texas. These two leaders embody the persistence and brilliance of the LGBTQ+ movement and its allies. Their work ensures that the progress we have made is not just celebrated but sustained. Dallas Pride is privileged to honor their contributions as they lead our historic Sunset Parade through downtown this June.
Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison serves as the Senior Pastor of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, a diverse and justice-seeking congregation known for its witness of inclusion. With 30 years of ministry experience, she is widely recognized for her powerful preaching and her ability to help others navigate how to proclaim the Gospel faithfully in the midst of today’s social and political complexities.
Rachel is a co-editor of the CEB Women’s Bible and has preached and spoken at conferences across the country, including the Church of the Resurrection’s Leadership Institute in Leawood, Kansas, and Drew Theological School’s Tipple Lectures. She brings a wealth of experience in guiding both clergy and laity to connect scripture with the pressing questions of our time.
In addition to her pastoral leadership, Rachel is the founder of Safe Spaces Lebanon, a nonprofit supporting refugee children and families. Her ministry extends beyond the local church as she advocates for migrants, asylum seekers, and those at the margins. Her work has been recognized with honors such as the Profiles in Leadership Award from SMU and the Peacemaker of the Year Award from the Dallas Peace and Justice Center.
Rachel earned her Master of Theological Studies from Drew Theological School and her Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. She and her wife, Cheryl Griffin-Allison, are the proud moms of four amazing adult children and one spoiled furbaby.
Council Member Chad West proudly serves District 1 on the Dallas City Council, representing North Oak Cliff, where he has lived for nearly 20 years. First elected in 2019 and reelected in 2021, 2023, and 2025, he is now serving his fourth and final term. He chose Dallas for its entrepreneurial energy and welcoming LGBTQ+ community, and has built both his life and career in a city he believes should be inclusive and full of opportunity for everyone. Originally from southern Illinois, he attended Washington University in St. Louis, served as a U.S. Army officer with deployments in Europe, and later earned his law degree with honors from Texas Tech University. In Dallas, he launched a boutique law practice and later developed small businesses across North and Central Texas, while raising his two children, Victoria and Preston.
Before joining the City Council, West served on the Dallas City Plan Commission, where he helped shape policies like inclusionary zoning and accessory dwelling units to expand housing access. On the Council, he continues to champion walkable neighborhoods, housing affordability, parks and trails, and long-term planning that reflects the diversity of Dallas residents, including LGBTQ+ families. His work is grounded in the belief that every child and every neighbor, regardless of background or identity, deserves the same chance to thrive. Outside of City Hall, he’s an avid runner and tennis player, and a loyal (if occasionally frustrated) golfer and Texas Tech Red Raiders supporter.
Event Details
The 2026 Dallas Pride celebration will feature the signature Festival of Rainbows and the inaugural Sunset Parade on Main. Attendees can expect a day filled with local art, diverse performances, and a community marketplace that celebrates the intersectional identities of the North Texas region.
