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SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- This year’s Main Stage entertainment line-up features Grammy-winning diva, Chaka Khan, and rising comedy star, Graham Norton. Bruce Vilanch is to join Alan Cumming as Celebrity Grand Marshal for the annual San Francisco Gay Pride Parade.

“It’s very exciting to have Main Stage performers of the caliber of Chaka Khan and Graham Norton." Pride President Joey Cain said. "Chaka’s phenomenal talent and award winning career will contribute greatly to making this years Parade and Celebration the world class event that it is.”

Chaka Khan first arrived on the music scene in 1973 as the lead singer for the group known best as Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. The group earned one platinum album, five gold albums, five gold singles, five # 1 hits and two GRAMMY_® Awards. Those hits include “Sweet Thing,” “Tell Me Something Good,” “Once You Get Started,” “Everlasting Love,” “Do You Love What You Feel,” and “Ain’t Nobody.” Chaka began her solo career in the late 1970s with the smash hit, “I’m Every Woman,” Since then, Chaka has recorded nine albums and been honored with six more GRAMMY_® Awards.

Joining Chaka Khan on the Main Stage is talk show host and comedian, Graham Norton, whose new show, The Graham Norton Effect, airs Thursdays on Comedy Central starting June 24th.

The Pride Committee announced the full list of Grand Marshals for this year’s Parade. Joining Alan Cumming in the Celebrity category is Bruce Vilanch. Vilanch, who is starring in HAIRSPRAY as matriarch Edna Turnblad, is one of the most sought-after comedy writers working today. Bruce devotes endless hours working with such charitable organizations as the Anti-Defamation League, National Foundation for Jewish Culture, and AIDS organizations, including AIDS Project of Los Angeles, Project Inform, and countless others as part of his personal contribution to our community.

“Since I temporarily can't marry a man in San Francisco, the next best thing is having a whole bunch of them march behind me in a parade!" Bruce Vilanch said. "I am very delighted to be a grand Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!”

In the Community Category, and joining Calvin Gipson who topped the community wide poll, are Mayor Gavin Newsom (elected by the members of SF Pride), City Assessor Mabel Teng (elected by a college of former grand and honorary marshals) and Heklina, Kate Raphael, and LA Happy Hyder who polled 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in the community wide poll. The organization grand marshal is Immigration Equality and Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal is the Reverend Elder Troy Perry.

In addition to the Main Stage, Sunday’s Celebration features 11 other venues, all produced by local community groups. Saturday’s Main Stage line-up will showcase jazz and blues.

This year is the 34th anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration and is to be held over the June 26/27 weekend. The event theme is "Out 4 Justice”.

For additional information: http://www.sfpride.org