Demi Lovato Will Be Grand Marshal at LA Pride Parade

Demi Lovato will be the grand marshal at this year’s LA Pride parade.

Christopher Street West, the non-profit organization that stages the June Pride event, announced the selection of Lovato today. Lovato, 21, is an actor and singer famed for recordings such as “Don’t Forget,” “Here We Go Again,” “Demi” and “Unbroken,” which touched on her struggle with personal issues such as bulimia, self-injury and drugs and alcohol. Lovato debuted as child actor on “Barney & Friends” and was a member of the cast of the Disney Channel television film “Camp Rock.”

Lovato also will perform at this year’s New York City Pride Pier Dance.

“It’s such an honor to be a part of both LA and NYC PRIDE celebrations this year,” Lovato said in a press release from CSW. “I have been an active advocate of the LGBT community and am wholly committed to supporting individuality and being comfortable in one’s own skin. I am thrilled to be a part of both events as they are a wonderful celebration of independence and self-confidence.”

“Demi Lovato is an amazing role model for today’s youth, both LGBT and non-LGBT, for her activism in the area of equality, positive messaging on body image, and level of openness with her struggles. As a community, we’re fortunate to have an ally like Demi,” said Patti DiLuigi, co-president of Christopher Street West.

LA PRIDE runs June 6 to 8, with the parade on June 8. More information on the event is available at lapride.org.