Sista Patricia Derouin, Pride London Grand Marshal 2025
Sista Patricia Derouin, a fierce and beloved elder in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, has dedicated her life to activism, protection, and connection. At 72, she is a powerful reminder that the fight for justice and equity knows no age limit. This year, Pride London Festival proudly honours Sista Patricia as the 2025 Grand Marshal, a role befitting her decades of unwavering advocacy and grassroots leadership.
Born and raised in Quebec, Patricia later moved to Ottawa for work, where she came out at 27, an experience sparked by watching Charlie’s Angels and realizing her attraction to women. Her first step into queer community was as brave as it was simple: she opened the phone book and searched for the word “gay.” That moment of connection changed her life forever.
Patricia’s activism has spanned generations, from rallies for reproductive rights on Parliament Hill to today’s frontline defence of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. She now lives just outside the London-Middlesex area and was recognized with the 2023 Ken Sadler Pride Award for her exceptional work in improving the lives of London’s queer and Two-Spirit communities.
Among her most impactful contributions is the creation of the Drag Storytime Guardians / Guardians in Action, a province-wide network that protects drag performers, families, and children from anti-LGBTQ+ hate. Born from a confrontation with aggressive protesters at a children’s event in Parkhill, Ontario, the Guardians now boast nearly 1,000 members who regularly show up to defend safe, inclusive spaces. Patricia stepped away from her beloved WindSisters motorcycle club to devote herself entirely to this vital work, showing up in her signature battle vest covered in community patches—a symbol of solidarity, visibility, and protection.
A proud Butch lesbian, Sista Patricia sees herself as both protector and mentor. Despite battling cancer, she continues to stand at the front lines, unafraid to face threats or harassment from hate groups, and unwilling to let fear silence her. Her activism isn’t just outward-facing; she challenges the queer community to heal internal divisions and listen across generations. She urges older generations to uplift youth, especially trans and nonbinary individuals, and to honour their evolving identities and struggles.
Patricia’s motto—“The only mind I am responsible for opening is my own”—embodies her approach: lead with love, learn with humility, and protect with fierce resolve. As she leads this year’s parade on her motorcycle, she carries with her the strength of decades of activism, the voices of those she protects, and the dream of a united, inclusive future.
Sista Patricia doesn’t just deserve to lead the parade—she is the parade.
The Pride London Festival Parade, presented by Canada Life, will start out at noon on Sun 20 July and run from the Fair Grounds to Victoria Park.