Grand Marshals

Dallas Pride 2022

Dallas Pride 2022 Grand Marshals

Adam Medrano
Danny Cabrera
Linze Serell
Sable Alexander
Cassie Nova
David Hearn
Kristi Wilson

SEE FULL BIOS BELOW

Former Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano

Adam Medrano (recently representing District 2) was elected to the Dallas City Council in June of 2013. For more than ten years, Medrano has dedicated his personal and professional time to help the community, especially its youth.

While serving his 4th and final term on the City Council, former Council Member Medrano was appointed by his collogues as Mayor Pro Tem having previously served as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem in his 3rd term.

Medrano served as the Chair of the City of Dallas’ LGBT Taskforce for seven years. Under his leadership the taskforce was able to

Campaign for passage of LGBT workplace nondiscrimination protections in Dallas City Charter (2014), then propagated charter language to Chapter 34 & Chapter 46 of Dallas City Code
Inclusion of proposed/filed bills that affect the LGBT community in the City’s legislative agenda for its lobbyists in Austin and Washington DC
Full inclusion of equitable family members for LGBT employees in its “Plus One” Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy.
Full inclusion of spouses/partners of LGBT employees in City pension benefits (civilian & first-responder pensions)
Full inclusion of spouses/partners of LGBT appointees to City boards & commissions in ethics standards
Full inclusion of spouses/partners/dependents of LGBT employees in City healthcare benefits
Fully-inclusive City healthcare benefits per WPATH standards for trans* employees/spouses/dependents
Organized community leader/DPD task force meeting at Resource Center to discuss updates regarding the Oak Lawn attacks (2016)
Interfaces with Mobility Planning to explore safety implementations in Oak Lawn area (2016)
Outlast Youth established 501(c)3
Installed 10 Rainbow Crosswalks in Oaklawn/Cedar Springs
Championed a resolution to fly the City of Dallas Pride Flag in June of 2020 and every June hereafter.

Mr. Medrano has a proven record of achievement and accomplishment on the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees. First elected in 2006, the youngest person ever elected to the Dallas ISD School Board, he brought a fresh perspective to the Dallas School Board. His leadership for reform earned him the respect of his colleagues. In 2007, Mr. Medrano was elected to serve as the Board’s First Vice-President in a unanimous vote. He was elected three separate times to serve as President of the School Board. During his tenure as a school board trustee, all of the school in District 8, which he represented, improved to a passing rate.

His position as a Supervisor IV with the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department allowed Mr. Medrano to play a significant role in the organization and planning of educational and sports activity programs for the city’s youth.

Adam Medrano volunteers his time to public service projects and has helped the community through the many organizations in which he serves. He has been a member of the Board of Friends at Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary School and a member of the City of Dallas I. Zaragoza Recreation Center Advisory Council. Mr. Medrano also has served as a volunteer in the Salvation Army Holiday Meal program, area cleanups in East Dallas, City Wide Graffiti Wipe Out, Dallas Summit Youth Volleyball tournaments, and American Red Cross activities. He has been a coach for the Eagles Youth Soccer and the Dallas Medrano Youth Basketball teams.

Danny Cabrera, aka “Liquor Mini”

Danny is a 22-year flight attendant for American Airlines. Where he has been a part of the Flight Service Recruitment, Image, and Training Departments. He helps organize the PRIDE events with the American Airlines PRIDE Employee Business Resource Group. In 2018 we partnered with Billboard Music to sponsor Capital Pride in D.C. I was one of the 6 Drag Queens representing American Airlines on the main stage, at the festival, and in a marketing video we filmed for Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. In 2019 I was the captain for the Drag Queens in the March for World Pride in NYC. I helped plan and organize the American Airlines events for World Pride and the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall. One of the highlights of this weekend was the Pride Flight from Philadelphia to NYC LaGuardia airport. We made History with the first ever Drag Queens on board an American Airlines flight. I had the honor to be one of the Drag Queen Crew Members.

One of my passions in life is helping others and I do so by volunteering with the Wings Foundation. We are a 501c3 organization that assists American Airlines Flight Attendants in need. I have held a few board of directors positions over the past 6 years within our organization Including Co-Chair for Lip Sync Dallas, National Recycling Advisory Director, currently I am the DFW Term Director. In 2014 I was one of the volunteers that started Lip Sync Extravaganza which is a drag show that raises money for the Wings Foundation. This fundraiser is every September at South Side Music Hall in Dallas. Recently I was the project manager for a national fundraiser offering Retired Beverage Carts for a donation. This fundraiser has brought in over $170,000 so far.

I am also a proud member of the Recovery community in Dallas. One of my biggest accomplishments in life is admitting I had a problem with drugs and alcohol. I have been clean and sober for 9 ½ years now. In 2017 I was the chair of a recovery conference in Dallas called the Big D Roundup. I am currently the reigning Miss Sober World 2015. I have always been a huge advocate for the community and helping people find a better way of life. I also speak at recovery conferences around the U.S. I have participated in many drag show fundraisers to help raise money for the recovery community around the state of Texas.

I am the Resort Director for VACAYA an LGBTQ+ travel company that charters cruises and resort destination vacations around the world. I am the lead Flight Crew Drag Queen Member for FABSTAYZ a vacation rental company specializing in rentals that are safe and friendly for the LGBTQ+ community. I am currently working with Reservoir and Toyota Music Factory to bring the Biggest Drag Brunch every to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Stay Tuned for “The Fly Queens” which is an online reality mini series starring Liquor Mini and 4 other drag queens that are also flight attendants by day.

Linze Serell, aka Bill Lindsey

Bill Lindsey is a hairstylist by trade but a true advocate for the LGBTQ community as there has been over thirty five years of fundraising to assist with any cause that is needed. Linze and her partner Sable Alexander have for 33 years raised much needed funds for the gay community for so many organizations. Linze is a live singer and was a former Voice of Pride semifinalist. Linze have won many titles in the community but the most important is the title of Director of Fundraising and Sponsorships for the Miss Gay Texas State Pageant System of which Linze is a co Owner. Linze is a two time winner of Miss Charity America and The Official Miss Gay Texas at Large winner in 2005. Linze has such a passion to raise money for our community that he has brought well known entertainers to our city to help raise these most needed funds. He has Co Owned The Miss Gay Texas State Pageant System since 2008 and has been instrumental in raising over $91,000.00 for community organizations like GDMAF, Educare, North Texas Pride and many more to name a few. Linze has a motto "Raising one dollar at a time for any cause"!

Sable Alexander, aka Michael Champion

Michael Champion was a Registered Nurse, nationally certified as a Director of Nursing in Administration by trade and partnered with Linze Serell over the last 33 years to help many organizations and set precedence for fundraising for our community. Sable was also the Co-Owner of the Miss Gay Texas State Pageant System since 2008 and most recently for the last 5 years was the Chairman. Sable was the Emeritus of Miss Charity America and was the winner of The Official Miss Gay Texas State at Large Pageant in 2006. Sable worked very closely with community bars to put on the fundraising shows to raise much needed funds for GDMAF, EduCare, North Texas Pride, Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of North Texas and many more. Sable worked tirelessly to educate community about HIV, dealing with Aging in Long Term Care and being of the LGBTQ community. Sable was the recipient of The National Director of Nursing in Administration award in 2009 and again in 2017. Sable was a dedicated Healthcare worker and an advocate for our great community.

Dallas Pride would like to share our condolences to the family of Sable Alexander (Michael Champion) and his partner Linze Serell (Bill). Sable passed away January 12, 2021 due to complications from Covid-19. He was loved by many for his giving spirit and charity work spanning several decades in the Dallas LGBTQ Community. Dallas Pride will honor Sable Alexander (Michael Champion) as a 2022 Grand Marshal. Thank you Sable for your service to our community.

Cassie Nova, aka James Love

James Love grew up in and around Dallas. He first did drag for a Presidents Day show for the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance. He was president of their youth group GLYA in the early 90's.

James has worked in the Rose Room, the largest show bar in the South since 1993, and became show director about 5 years ago. He has a husband of 17 years and they live in Midlothian, Texas with their 5 dogs and giant tortoise Ruby.

David Hearn

David was born June 14,1954 in Chattanooga Tennessee and graduated from Chattanooga McCallie High School with Honors. He was elected and earned Kum Laude and T.E.P.S honors in 1972. David went to Furman University in 1972-1973 and then the University of Tennessee.

David began work at JCPenney in 1973 while going to night school at UT as a Stock Room person. He moved into Visual Merchandising with JCPenney in 1975 and was promoted at the Knoxville store as Visual Manger in 1978. He then Transferred to Raleigh N.C. Combine as Visual Manager and Advertising Combine Manager for 6 stores in 1983. In 1988 he was transferred to JCPenney Corporate Office in Plano Texas, where remained until 2011. After 38 years of Management positions in Store Environment and Marketing, David retired in 2011 after 38 years of service.

David had 2 partners that died of AIDS – Gerald Kennedy (1987) – 1st partner in Knoxville from 1972-1980 and Greg Dollgener (partner from 1989-1994), who died 1994.

Member of the GALA North Texas Business Group 2013-2017
Member of GALA North Texas 2012-2017
JCPenney Honors –
October 11,1996 earned the Privilege of Partnership into the HCSC at JCPenney
In 1995 – awarded the JCPenney Supplier Award for working with businesses that JCPenney partnered with.
In 2005 was presented the Chairman’s Award at JCPenney
From 2006-2011 won many Marketing awards from the Marketing department.

Non Profit Organizations

In 1996 founded the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund with a group of his friends. On the Board from 1996 until present – As President, and Treasurer
In 1996 – 1998 also on the Board of AIDS Services of McKinney
In 1996 – became a member of the Cathedral of Hope Dallas.
In 2005 – Started Metroball which has become GDMAF’s Largest fundraiser of the year
In 2012-2015 – On the Board of Directors of AIDS ARMS (Now Prism Health North Texas) and served as Chair of the People and Operation Committee from 2013-2015. Was also on the Research and Development Committee as well as on the committee formed to review the New Marketing Direction for AIDS ARMS. Co-Chair for the 25th Lifewalk Anniversary of Prism Health.

Awards during career and personal achievements through Volunteering:

In 1996 was honored as the James Cash Penney Award Winner for Community service for the entire company.
In 1996 was KRLD Citizen of the week Award for Volunteerism with AIDS Services of McKinney
In 2009 was Presented by C.U.R.E. – Community, Unity, Respect and Education Organization Community Service Award – The Open Heart Award
In 2011 was presented the Dallas Bears – Randy Franklin Memorial “I Care” Community Service Award
On Oct. 2, 2012 was presented the Health Services of North Texas Hearts and Heroes Spirit Award
In 2015 presented Miss Gay Texas State Pageant System “Around the World” Midnite Memorial Legends Award.
In 2015 Presented the Leather Knights – John Leaphart Memorial Award for Community Service.
2016 – The Dallas Voice LGBT Role Model Award for Dallas
11/7/2016 – Heart and Hands Award from AIDS ARMS
2018 Nominated as Grand Marshal of the Dallas Pride Parade
9/1/2018 – 2018 Linda Sparkman Memorial Spirit Award by the Miss Gay Texas State Pageant System
10/27/2018 - The Diamond Rose Award from the United Court of the Lone Star Empire
6/30/2020- Selected as Grand Marshall of Dallas Pride 2020

Kristi Wilson

Kristi Wilson works as a National Accounts Manager for Andrews Distributing and longtime LGBTQ community advocate. She’s worked for Andrews for 14 years and since the beginning of her career has served as Andrews’ primary correspondent for Andrews’ partnership with the Dallas Tavern Guild. She regularly attends Dallas Tavern Guild meetings and appreciates the chance to support the LGBTQ community through building relationships and spreading awareness. Her goal as the voice of Andrews within this community has always been to work hard to earn the trust and confidence of those in the LGBTQ community. In addition to her work with Dallas Tavern Guild and supporting bars and organizations, for the last decade Kristi has also worked with Caven Enterprises’ The Holiday Gift Project for Sam Houston Elementary. Kristi and her husband Mike, an active LGBTQ advocate for the last 25 years, have been married for 15 years and have two children, Garrett and Brylee. When asked what the Grand Marshal nomination means to her, Kristi said, “It means so much to even be acknowledged as someone who has made an impact in this community, this is what I have wanted from the beginning.

I hope to continue to work closely with all the bars and organizations contributing to this community. Pride is not about one Day or one event, it’s supporting everyone all year. I’m blessed to even be nominated for such an honor.”