LOS ANGELES (May 21, 2009) - Christopher Street West names famed E! late-night talk show 'Queen of Comedy' Chelsea Handler, along with her sidekick, Chuy Bravo, as Grand Marshals of the 2009 Los Angeles LGBT PRIDE Celebration for her visible and vocal support of equality. OUT West, Organizations United Together West, has been named as Community Grand Marshal in recognition of their ability to unite and support the community on a grassroots level.

 

Born in Livingston, New Jersey, to a Jewish father and Mormon mother, Handler is the youngest of six children... all good material for a career in comedy. In July 2007, Chelsea broke into the world of male-dominated late-night talk shows with her E! Entertainment series, "Chelsea Lately," airing weeknights at 11:00 p.m.

As one of the highest-rated program on E!, the series provides Handler with the perfect showcase for what she does best: comment on pop culture and entertainment news while interacting with the public. Bringing refreshing new energy to the late night arena, "Chelsea Lately" offers authentic and hilarious commentary on contemporary culture. Her first book, My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands, was followed up with Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, which debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list in April 2008 and spent an impressive 40 weeks on the list. In March 2009, Handler received the prestigious Ally for Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign, recognizing the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate time, energy, spirit and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people. In addition, Handler hosted the San Francisco GLAAD Media Awards in May, continuing her reign as one of the LGBT community's greatest supporters/advocates.

 
When was asked about a $5,000 donation she made towards defeating Proposition 8, Chelsea was quoted in a January Advocate article declaring, "If you don't believe in gay marriage, don't get married to a gay person; there's no reason you should prevent another person from doing it. You don't go back on civil rights."

 

From her stardom on Girls Behaving Badly to her hugely popular MSN online web series In The Motherhood, her charming spirit and quick-witted style brings an aura of light and approachable humor to the table in confronting difficult issues. Her continued support and eager embrace is of consequential value to many of the issues our society faces today. 

OUT West, Organizations United Together West, is a coalition of organizations that are representative of the communities they serve, working toward common goals of equal rights for LGBT people, through mobilizing their community at the grassroots level.  Their courageous leadership and instrumental work openly welcomes a brave new generation joining the Pride Movement, now 40 years in the making.  Every member of this association is a tribute to the talent and revitalized energy within the LGBT community in the continued fight for the empowerment, equality and justice.

 

OUT West partners include:
All or Not at All
AnswerLA
API Equality LA
Bridges
California Faith For Equality
COLAGE
Courage Campaign
Create Equality
Dawn and Marie
Equal Roots Coalition
Equality Action Now
Equality Network
F.A.I.R.
Get To Know Us First
Here to Stay Coalition
HONOR PAC
HRC
International Socialist Organization
Jordan/Rustin Coalition
Latino Equality Alliance
Long Beach Equality
Love = Love
Love Honor Cherish
Marriage Equality USA
Obama Alumni for Marriage Equality
Orange CountyEquality Coalition
Progressive America
Roots of Equality
San Diego Equality Campaign
Somos Familia
Stonewall Democratic Club
Stonewall Young Democrats
The Wall Las Memorias Project
Unite The Fight
White Knot for Equality
Youth Today

All are encouraged to join the festivities of Christopher Street West's 39th annual LA PRIDE Parade and Festival alongside celebrated Grand Marshals Chelsea Handler and Chuy Bravo, and Community Grand Marshal OUT West, June 14, 2009.