Two of Hayes Valley's finest are among a dozen finalists nominated to be Community Grand Marshal at this year's San Francisco Pride Parade.
They are Garry McLain, a.k.a. Marlena of Marlena's Bar (which closed earlier this month, of course), and Paul Olsen, former president of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association. They join a list of nominees whose "work aligns with San Francisco Pride's mission and our LGBT community's values," according to SF Pride. Here are Garry and Paul's blurbs, as listed on the SF Pride website:
They are Garry McLain, a.k.a. Marlena of Marlena's Bar (which closed earlier this month, of course), and Paul Olsen, former president of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association. They join a list of nominees whose "work aligns with San Francisco Pride's mission and our LGBT community's values," according to SF Pride. Here are Garry and Paul's blurbs, as listed on the SF Pride website:
"As we all know Gary McClain [sic], aka Marlena of Marlena's Bar is transferring ownership. Marlena of Marlena's Bar has given many opportunities to many non-profit 501(c)3 organizations a place to hold functions, raise much needed funds to better our communities Marlena has given so much financial support, a venue for holding much needed fundraisers for the last 22 years, and who has touched hundreds of thousands of people through her philanthropic life. "[Paul] Olsen has supported thousands of volunteers in raising funds and awareness for the HIV/AIDS and the LGBT communities. As former Executive Director of Under One Roof and board member of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, San Francisco Pool Association and his neighborhood association, he helped those groups raise more than $4 million."The winner -- and sadly, there can be only one -- will be named 2013 Individual Community Grand Marshal and will be honored at this year's Pride Parade and Celebration on the weekend of June 29th. You can vote online up until April 15th. Best of luck to Garry and Paul!
