Cowan to Be Gay Pride Parade’s Grand Marshal

Costa Mesa Councilwoman Libby Cowan will be grand marshal for the ninth Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade next month in Irvine.

The parade is part of the larger Orange County Gay & Lesbian Pride Celebration, scheduled for Aug. 16-17 at UC Irvine’s Aldrich Park.

“The overall significance is to just celebrate who we are, to celebrate that we are human beings with self-worth, with pride in who we are,” Cowan said. “Public awareness is a piece of that.”

Expected to draw at least 7,000 people during the weekend, the celebration will include an art festival, live entertainment, dancing, food booths, a coffeehouse, book signings and jewelry stands.

Cowan, 43, who is openly gay, recently hosted the Take Pride Awards Celebration in February at the Disneyland Pacific Hotel in Anaheim. The event honored activists, businesses, health-care agencies and community members who are supportive of homosexual causes.

“Libby Cowan was unanimously chosen by our board of directors for her dedication to community service, not only in the gay and lesbian community but throughout the community at large,” said Tom Heilman, president of Orange County Gay & Lesbian Pride.

Cowan’s reach as a civic leader extends well beyond gay and lesbian organizations. She was elected to the Costa Mesa City Council in November and served on the city Planning Commission from 1993 to 1996. She works full time as the city of Irvine’s community services superintendent.

Other accomplishments include positions with the Orange County Human Relations Council, the National Women’s Political Caucus-Orange County and the California Parks and Recreation Society.

Information: (714) 637-PROUD.