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Miami Beach Pride announces Jonathan Bennett and husband Jaymes Vaughan as Celebrity Grand Marshals of Miami Beach Pride 2023
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Miami Beach Pride announces its Celebrity Grand Marshals slated to lead the Pride festival and parade on Saturday, April 15 -16, 2023. Beloved LGBTQ+ actor Jonathan Bennett and his husband Jaymes Vaughan, Celebrity Page Host, Co-host of Pridecast, and Co-owner of OUTbound Travel LGBTQ+, will punctuate the festivities by being a visible presence and lending their voices in celebration for this milestone in our community. They will be joined by other grand marshals that will be announced in the coming weeks and continue the theme of celebration with the recent notice that entertainment legend Sandra Bernhard is hosting the Miami Beach Pride VIP Beach Affair.
Known for playing Aaron Samuels, the most popular boy at North Shore High in the 2004 queer cult-classic Mean Girls, Jonathan Bennett is now executive producing and starring in Hallmark Channel's first holiday film with a leading LGBTQ+ couple, The Holiday Sitter. One of the most loved and followed accounts on social media, the gay icon married his husband Jaymes Vaughan in Mexico earlier this year. Jonathan Bennett also played Bud McNulty in 2005's Cheaper by the Dozen 2, the title character in the 2009 comedy Van Wilder: Freshman Year, and is known for his recurring role as Casey Grant in the UPN mystery drama Veronica Mars. He was the host of the Food Network series Halloween Wars, and he previously hosted Cake Wars.
“Pride holds a near and dear place in Jaymes and I’s heart”, said Jonathan Bennett. “The LGBTQ+ community has come so far over the past 15 years, and we are beyond excited and honored to be named Celebrity Grand Marshals for Miami Beach’s momentous Pride next year. It will be a great moment to celebrate our journey and where we are today. We are so grateful to all of the participating artists, LGBTQ+ icons and allies who will help make this a Pride to remember.”
“At a time when LGBTQIA+ people are under increased attack, Miami Beach Pride is a beacon of hope for so many here in our beautiful and welcoming city,” said Bruce Horwich, Miami Beach Pride Chairman. “Our Celebrity Grand Marshals this year truly embody the spirit of our 15th anniversary, a celebration of our continued progress as one global community. Jonathan and Jaymes have embraced their identities and used their platforms to help members of our community, and truly love and live their truth without fear or shame, exemplifying our key themes of inclusivity, visibility, community, and equality.”
Rounding out programming for 2022 is this year’s Pride Holiday Brunch, a celebration of the holiday spirit with loved ones, chosen family, beloved drag performers, and for the long overdue Hallmark holiday film with a leading LGBTQ+ couple. A fundraiser event to support Miami Beach Pride and its community, the holiday brunch is on December 17th at Miami New Times’ two-time, award-winning restaurant Morini in Miami Beach. The Pride Holiday Brunch will be hosted by Miami Beach’s very own Tiffany Fantasia, and includes a 3-course brunch, unlimited mimosas and bloody marys, Pride beats by DJ Deanne, and a variety of drag performances and holiday surprises.
The Miami Beach Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, April 16. Chosen partners, organizations and charities all over the country assemble to be a part of the Parade as thousands march in solidarity along Ocean Drive to celebrate their Pride. Floats, cheerleaders, drag queen performers and more can be seen marching together, a showcase of how Miami Beach uniquely stands for Pride.
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