First Transgender Beauty Queen Named Grand Marshal Of 2026 Palm Springs Pride Parade

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Kataluna Enriquez, a Filipino American model, fashion designer and transgender rights advocate, has been named the Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshal for this year's Palm Springs Pride Parade, organizers announced Monday.

"Marsha P. Johnson paved the path for trans visibility, resilience and liberation," said Ron deHarte, president and CEO of Greater Palm Springs Pride. "Kataluna Enriquez embodies that same transformative courage, using her global platform and community volunteerism to empower trans youth and uplift our entire community."

Enriquez made history in 2021 as the first transgender woman to win the Miss Nevada USA pageant and went on to compete in Miss USA.

She is also a mental health advocate, brand ambassador and owner of the fashion business KatalunaKouture.

Enriquez has appeared in modeling campaigns and in singer Emmy Meli's "I Am Woman" music video, as well as promotional work for The Venetian in Las Vegas.

She has used her platform to raise awareness about mental health and discrimination against transgender people, according to organizers.

Enriquez has also volunteered with transgender community organizations, helped coordinate care for people in Riverside and performed drag shows at venues including One-Eleven Bar in Cathedral City.

The Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshal designation recognizes individuals who have worked to advance the rights and visibility of transgender people. It is named in honor of Marsha P. Johnson, a pioneering LGBTQ rights activist.

Enriquez will join other parade honorees, including National Grand Marshal Fortune Feimster, Celebrity Grand Marshal Cheyenne Jackson, Community Grand Marshal Gary Moline and Pride Royalty for Life Marshal Dottie DuBois.

The Palm Springs Pride Parade and Festival will take place Nov. 6-8 in downtown Palm Springs.