Female-Identifying Grand Marshal Nominees
Female-Identifying Grand Marshal Nominee
Ashley Barnes
Ashley Barnes is a proud Houston native and a tireless advocate for community health, equity, and justice, with more than two decades of service dedicated to the fight against HIV. Her advocacy began in 2002 and has since grown into a lifelong commitment to uplifting underserved communities through education, awareness, and compassionate engagement.
Ashley currently serves as Chair of the African American State of Emergency Task Force, where she leads statewide efforts to address HIV disparities impacting Black communities. Her leadership and expertise extend across numerous civic and public health spaces, including her involvement with the Texas Black Women’s Health Initiative, the Ryan White Planning Council, Project L.E.A.P., the National Forum of Black Public Administrators, the Fort Bend Black Heritage Society, the Community Planning Group Executive Board, the Greater Houston LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, and BLACC Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition.
Professionally, Ashley serves as Associate Director of Public Health for Texas and Tennessee with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, while continuing her direct community impact. Her work is grounded in a deep love for people and a belief that access to care, culturally responsive education, and trusted relationships save lives.
Ashley’s passion for advocacy is deeply personal. While attending Willowridge High School, she discovered her love for volunteering, a calling that later led her to earn a degree in Sign Language Interpreting. Her purpose became even clearer when her mother was diagnosed with HIV, a moment that profoundly shaped her life and inspired her to become a powerful voice for those impacted by the epidemic, particularly individuals who are often overlooked or underserved. One of Ashley’s greatest hopes is to expand outreach and prevention resources within the Deaf community, ensuring equitable access to education, testing, and care.
With more than 20 years of advocacy experience, Ashley remains focused on community empowerment, reducing STI rates, and working toward zero new HIV cases in the City of Houston. Her work centers on health equity, education, and justice, driven by empathy, lived experience, and an unwavering belief in collective healing.
A community-driven servant leader, Ashley Barnes is known for her ability to motivate, inspire, and build meaningful connections. Through decades of volunteering and leadership, she has implemented lasting, positive changes and continues to commit her life to service, guided by compassion, resilience, and a vision of a healthier, more just future for all.
Female-Identifying Grand Marshal Nominee
Brandi Lira
While once hidden in a closet forced upon her by the unspoken rules of public education, Brandi Lira is now an out and proud polyamorous pansexual Latina educator with 19 years of experience. In addition to earning HISD East Area Principal of the Year twice, Brandi is the first Latina president to lead Out For Education, a Houston area non-profit scholarship program for LGBTQIA+ students. Through her leadership, OFE has reestablished partnerships with the Diana Foundation, private donors across the area, and local businesses within the LGBTQIA+ community. As President of Out For Education, Brandi has the unique ability to carry her school leadership skills over to the nonprofit sector.
Since joining Out For Education, Brandi has consistently found ways to improve upon the work of the organization, increasing community visibility through intentional social media marketing, hosting annual flagship fundraising events, and collaborating with other LGBTQIA+ organizations in Houston and surrounding areas. OFE is a current member of the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and Brandi has been active in chamber events. Through the board’s leadership, OFE has reestablished partnerships with the Diana Foundation, private donors across the area, and local businesses Brandi has been an active participant in community events, advocating for a collaborative space between OFE and other organizations such as Tony’s Place, Houston Bar Association LGBTQ+ Committee, Houston Bears, The Wolff Family Fund of Fidelity Charitable, and The Frost Foundation, Woodlands Pride, The Hollyfield Foundation, Houston Tennis Club, and so many more! It is through this community outreach and collaboration that Brandi and her board have been able to reach so many more students to support their educational journeys. While previously labeled an unknown or inactive organization, the last four years of OFE’s work has demonstrated an intentional focus on building community, empowering volunteers, and inspiring the next generation of LGBTQIA+ leaders.
Brandi completed her Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degree coursework at the University of Houston – Main Campus. She spent 15 years of service as an English teacher and high school principal in Houston ISD and now serves Cypress Fairbanks ISD as an English III teacher. Brandi currently lives in Houston, teaches full time, and has two human children as well as two canine children.
Female-Identifying Grand Marshal Nominee
Gianna Christina Ramirez
Gianna Christina Ramirez is a lifelong Texan and a proud, outspoken transgender woman whose life and work are deeply rooted in service to the Houston LGBTQ+ community. A former nonprofit professional, Gianna has held leadership roles across development, volunteer coordination, community engagement, and communications, bringing strategic clarity, cultural fluency, and heart to every organization she has served.
Beyond her professional career, Gianna is a highly engaged community volunteer and civic leader. She is an active member of FLUX AHF, The Diana Foundation, Bunnies on the Bayou, ERSICSS, and the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. Expanding her impact nationally, Gianna also serves on the National Advisory Board for Gay America Esquire, the male division of the Miss Gay America pageantry system.
With years of sustained community service, Gianna’s leadership and impact have been widely recognized. She is the proud recipient of multiple OutSmart Magazine Gayest & Greatest Awards, including Most Valuable Female Trans Community Volunteer, Leading Trans Community Fundraiser, and Most Valuable Female Volunteer, as well as the 2025 Monica Roberts Resource Center Trans Visibility Award.
A compelling public speaker, activist, and corporate presenter, Gianna has done extensive work advancing transgender visibility and representation within corporate, nonprofit, and civic institutions. Her advocacy is
grounded in lived experience and driven by a lifelong commitment to equity, accountability, and building communities where transgender people are not merely included, but centered and celebrated.
