As San Francisco Pride approaches, controversy has arisen surrounding the potential selection of deported makeup artist Andry Jose Hernández Romero as this year’s honorary grand marshal.
Activists are reporting that they have been denied requests to honor Hernández Romero, who has become a notable figure in the ongoing discourse around immigration policies and LGBTQ+ rights.
Among the 238 Venezuelan migrants recently deported to a Salvadoran prison under President Trump’s administration, Hernández Romero’s case stands out.
Accused of being a gang member based solely on the interpretation of crown tattoos on his arms, the out gay makeup artist is now facing significant challenges following his deportation.
Local leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, have publicly called for Hernández Romero’s release, expressing solidarity with his plight.
Cleve Jones, a co-founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, has taken a leading role in advocating for Hernández Romero, urging SF Pride to make him an honorary grand marshal.
Jones articulated the gravity of the situation, stating, “Something about this young man’s situation brings home to me something about the brutality and horror of what we are facing.
People should not dismiss this as a purely symbolic effort; I absolutely believe that this young man’s life is in grave danger, and perhaps the only thing that can save him is public attention and outcry.”
However, reports have surfaced that SF Pride has decided to reject the proposal to honor Hernández Romero.
Jones expressed his disappointment, citing a conversation with SF Pride executive director Suzanne Ford, who indicated that there was pushback regarding the use of the grand marshal title in this context.
“I am very disappointed that SF Pride has chosen to take no substantive action to try to save this man’s life,” Jones lamented. “It’s shameful and sad.”
In response to the controversy, Ford issued an official statement regarding the organization’s decision-making process.
She explained that after receiving a request from a community member to name Hernández Romero an honorary grand marshal, she consulted with the board president and other board members.
Ford stated, “We deeply honor the sentiment behind that call. At the time, we felt the best thing we could do was issue a public statement calling for his release.”
According to Ford, SF Pride engaged with queer migrant community members and leaders to gauge their thoughts on the matter.
“The issue deserves more attention than a symbolic gesture – it requires deep, sustained action and input from those living this reality every day,” Ford added.
In an effort to address the situation, SF Pride has committed to dedicating a significant portion of the Human Rights Summit during Pride Week to the matter, centering the voices of impacted communities.
Some activists, however, view this action as insufficient, suggesting that it amounts to a half-measure.
As the situation continues to unfold, Jones and other advocates are reaching out to Pride organizations in other cities, encouraging them to consider Hernández Romero for honorary grand marshal status as well.
Response from these organizations remains uncertain, highlighting the complexity of the discourse surrounding pride, activism, and the LGBTQ+ community’s response to immigration issues.
Ford’s recent comments on social media reveal the tension within the organization as she expressed her frustration over the backlash against SF Pride’s decision and critiqued the outrage directed towards the board’s stance.
She wrote, “I am fucking exhausted. The outrage that we have the audacity to not agree with someone’s preferred method of protest. Where was all of your methods and outrage when trans people were being killed?”
The current controversy echoes past events in SF Pride’s history, specifically the 2013 Chelsea Manning debacle, when the organization initially named the Wikileaks leaker an honorary grand marshal, only to retract that offer amid backlash.
That incident led to significant leadership changes within SF Pride and set a precedent for how honorary titles can evoke contention.
As the 2023 Pride celebrations near and tensions rise, how SF Pride navigates this situation may shape the organization’s relationships with activists and community leaders for years to come.
image source from：https://sfist.com/2025/04/15/sf-pride-catching-some-flack-for-reportedly-turning-down-request-to-make-deported-makeup-artist-grand-marshal/
