Ethel De Luxe is a drag performer from Middletown, CT. She is a New England native, born in New Hampshire and raised in eastern Connecticut. She started her public drag career in 2015 in Maine where she attended the University of Southern Maine. She is a Queer Transfemme individual always determined to support everyone in whatever way possible. Ethel is a philanthropist, a homemaker, a small business owner, a person of many facets, and described by many as congenial. She is quite often behind the scenes of many drag events helping to ensure they run smoothly and is always ready to jump in and help in whatever capacity is needed. By day she is an American Sign Language interpreter providing services from Maine to Washington D.C. and everywhere in between; often donating her time and services when needed. Ethel has a heart for uplifting and providing the best experiences for the youth to ensure they are set up to succeed; primarily shown through her work as summer camp staff and consultant. She is beyond thankful for the honor of being named a Grand Marshal for Middletown Pride 2024.

Tony Ferraiolo is the Director of Health Care Advocates International’s Youth and Family Program whose mission is to provide a safe place for LGBTQ+ youth and their families to be supported and emphasizes that love, kindness, and diversity can empower youth to walk their truth and authentically live the lives they truly deserve.

He is also known as a compassionate and empowering Life Coach and a motivating and thought-provoking trainer. Since 2005 Tony has provided training to over 85,000 people around the country. Tony has dedicated himself to both promoting competent and respectful health care for the transgender community, by educating providers, and advocating on behalf of patients. He encompasses a unique ability to make light of a sometimes-challenging situation which puts his audience at ease to fully participate in his training.

In 2008 Tony started several support groups to support transgender youth and their families, the groups meet concurrently, providing a complete support system for these families, drawing families from New York and throughout New England. Since 2008 these groups have served over 1000 families.

In 2017 Tony was a Contributing Author for Article in Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry “Ten Things Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Youth Want Their Doctors to Know”.

In 2019 he received his teaching certification in Mindfulness and incorporates mindfulness in all his trainings.

In 2020 he was a Contributing Author for the Springer Publication "Pediatric Gender Identity" Overview and Terminology Chapter.

Tony is the subject of the award-winning documentary “A Self-Made Man” and the Author of the book series “Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth” as well as his soon to be released memoir “Finding My Way Out of the Darkness, How I Found Self-Love and Acceptnence”. He also hosted the A&E miniseries Transitioning, were he coached three transgender young adults through social transition.

Tony is also the Co-Founder of the Jim Collins Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to transgender people for gender-confirming surgeries. Tony also held the position of the President of the board for 10 years.

Shanay Fulton, is originally a NYC native, having moved to CT in 2009. She is a graduate of Fordham University with her Bachelors of Science in Fashion Design and Business ‘05 and her Masters of Public Administration from the University of New Haven ‘23. Her extensive years of advocacy in child welfare, domestic violence issues, housing, transportation, workforce development, business development and education at both the local and state levels stem from her personal lived experiences. She started her career in advocacy while being a paraprofessional for Middletown Public Schools and ultimately as the Family Resource Specialist for the district. She is the former Youth Director for the North End Action Team in Middletown, where she worked closely with LGBTQ youth. She has worked for Columbus House, providing services to the homeless population. She is currently an advisory board member for the New Horizons Domestic Violence Shelter, the Middlesex Habitat For Humanity, Open Communities Alliance in Hartford and the Vice-President of the Russell Public Library where she has served since 2018.

In 2019, she ran her first political race becoming an Alternate Commissioner of the Middletown Planning & Zoning Commission and running for Re-election in 2021, ultimately securing a full Commissioner and Secretary seat until 2025.

Shanay has been recognized for her leadership skills, and was appointed to the 2Gen Governor’s Workforce Council, of which she co-chairs the Workforce Subgroup. She is also a recipient of the 2020 Women in NAACP Award for Community Service, a 2022 Phenomenal Women in Business Award for Community Service, 2023 Middlesex United Way Community Impact Award recipient, a 2023 SpeakUp Sis! Trailblazer and Phenomenal Leader Award Nominee and a 100 Women of Color Award recipient.

She is currently the Program Director for Middletown Works, a Working Cities Initiative, funded through the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, of which she was once a parent volunteer and Co-Chair. In August 2023, she released her first book- Peace.Happiness.Love: A Journey To Healing. She is a proud mother of 2 and life partner.