June 17, 2022 –Marist College’s support for the LGBTQ+ community was on full display in the City of Poughkeepsie’s PKGO Pride Parade and Festival. Some two dozen Marist marchers made their way along the parade route from Market Street to Waryas Park on last Saturday as hundreds lined the streets. Marist’s marching group included campus staff organizers, faculty and Marist College President Dr. Kevin Weinman.

Campus efforts were organized by Tim Lawton and Amanda Benton, co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ subcommittee of the Diversity Council at Marist; Alyssa Gates, Marist Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement, one of the original organizers of Marist’s marching efforts at the NYC Pride Parade in 2019; and Dr. Emma Fredrick, Marist Assistant Professor of Psychology, who also helped organize efforts through the Dutchess County Pride Center.

“It was an honor to participate in the parade, and to show support for the LGBTQ+ community both at Marist and in the Hudson Valley,” said Dr. Weinman. “It was great to see so many members of our community there as we advocate for a world where everyone is embraced for who they are so they can live their lives openly, freely, and without fear.”



“So many spectators hollered out in support of our marching group, that we could not help but smile and yell out ourselves,” said Lawton. “Marching with Kevin Weinman and other leaders from Marist showed so much respect and support to our marchers. To me the most important memory is seeing all the young people being themselves in any way they dreamed possible.”

“It’s always amazing to see people marching for a world where everyone can live as their authentic self,” said Benton. “I love seeing Marist in the Poughkeepsie Pride Parade, not only because it shows our ever-increasing commitment to diversity and inclusion, but also because it is so important to be involved in the Poughkeepsie community. This was a wonderful opportunity for Marist to show how it can be a positive impact in the Hudson Valley.”

“I was deeply honored to march with Marist College in the 2022 PKGO Pride Parade,” said Fredrick. “As a queer, non-binary person, it’s been amazing to see the steps Marist is taking to try to become a more inclusive place. It’s always hard to be out and open when you don’t know if you will be supported, but everyone I have interacted with at Marist has been incredibly supportive.”



Marist Ally Network

Marist is dedicated to providing an educational and work environment which values diversity and is free from discrimination. The Marist Ally Network provides a welcoming campus environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and gender diverse persons by establishing an identifiable network provides support and information to our campus community.

The Ally Network symbol – seen around campus – sends a message that the person displaying it has completed formal training and has made a commitment to be understanding, supportive and a safe space for anyone – student, faculty, or staff – who identifies as LGBTQ+.

Dr. Marisa Moore, Marist Director of Counseling services, member of the LGBTQ+ subcommittee and a former co-chair, says these initiatives go a long way towards building a more inclusive campus community.

“While we have also marched in NYC Pride before, being able to march in our hometown of Poughkeepsie had more meaning,” said Dr. Moore. “Stay tuned for more Ally programming including guest speakers and social events! We're always looking for more faculty, staff, and students to join the LGBTQ+ Subcommittee!”

A list of campus LGBTQ+ resources can be found here.