Dallas Pride this morning (Wednesday, June 4) announced “entertainment powerhouse” RJAY as grand marshal and All Elite Wrestling star Anthony Bowens as honorary grand marshal for the 2025 Dallas Pride Parade.
“In keeping with this year’s powerful theme, ‘Pride is My Right,’ we are honored to recognize two extraordinary individuals who have profoundly impacted our LGBTQ+ community,” a Dallas Pride press release said. “Their unwavering dedication and significant contributions embody the spirit of resilience and advocacy, standing as living testaments to the rights and dignity we champion.”
Grand Marshal
RJAY, according to the press release, is “a multi-hyphenate entertainment powerhouse, rapidly approaching EGOT status.” He is, the press releases notes, a “decorated writer, producer and actor” who “already boasts an impressive collection of accolades,” including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, five Emmy Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award, a SAG Award, two DGA Awards and six WGA Awards.
He has worked as a writer and producer on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. He has also worked on Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, Netflix’s Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
“Beyond the big screen, RJAY has charmed audiences with appearances on popular Disney Channel series such as That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home, Kim Possible and Sonny With A Chance.
The Dallas Pride press release, RJAY is “an active member of several boards in the entertainment community and LGBTQ+ community,” and he”participates actively throughout Dallas in LGBTQ + inclusion events. He focuses on making sure his community is loved and represented in every way possible.”
RJAY has two children. A Dallas native, attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, then went on to earn a double bachelor’s degree in fine arts and English from the University of Southern California. RJAY then pursued graduate studies at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with a master’s in creative writing and a minor in communications.
Find RJAY on Instagram @officalrjay.
Honorary Grand Marshal
Known to fans worldwide as “The Pride of Professional Wrestling,” Bowens is also “a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community,” according to the Dallas Pride press release. He holds both the AEW World Tag Team Championship and the AEW World Trios Championship.
Bowens debuted with AEW in 2020 as part of The Acclaimed, alongside Max Caster. Their partnership quickly led to championship success, “further amplified by their alignment with wrestling legend Billy Gunn,” the press release notes. “After captivating feuds with top teams like The Young Bucks and FTR, Anthony returned to singles competition at AEW Dynasty 2025, defeating his former tag team partner Max Caster with ally Billy Gunn in his corner.”
Recognized as the Breakout Wrestler of the Year in 2022 by the New York Post, “Bowens continues to be a rising star” who “embodies wrestling’s “5-Tool Player — a nod to his baseball fandom — combining power, athleticism, intelligence, the look and that undeniable ‘IT factor.’”
Prior to his wrestling career, Anthony was a talented baseball player and remains an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants.
Dallas Pride Weekend
The Dallas Pride Music Festival is Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at Fair Park. Tickets are $10 for those ages 13-64 and $8 for seniors 65 and over (at the gate only). Admission for children ages 12 and younger is complimentary.
Tickets go on sale soon at the Dallas Pride website.
The 2025 Dallas Pride Parade, also at Fair Park, starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15 and will include more than 150 entries. Admission is free.
For more information, follow @DallasPride on Facebook, @DallasPrideOfficial on Instagram, @DallasPrideOrg on TikTok, or via the organization’s website.
— Tammye Nash