RIT Tigers gather at Rochester’s Pride Parade to support the LGBTQIA2S+ community

Crowds gathered on Saturday, July 20, for Rochester’s annual Pride Parade, celebrating the local LGBTQIA2S+ community. Nearly 100 faculty and staff members, students, and alumni were among the crowd representing RIT.

Patrick Casey, data analyst for RIT’s Institutional Research, Data, and Analytics, was one of the lead organizers coordinating RIT’s participation in the community event.

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Traci Westcott

Patrick Casey, who helped coordinate RIT's participation in the parade, holds up a Tiger Paw while marching.

“I am very excited to have RIT represented in the Rochester Pride Parade. This is the first time in recent years RIT has been in the parade,” said Casey. “The significance of seeing your university marching in a parade that celebrates LGBTQIA2S+ pride, history, and the contributions made by the people of this community is immeasurable.”

Rochester’s Pride celebrations date back to Sunday, May 16, 1971, according to a report by Spectrum News. The article explains that, at a time when protesters would conduct sit-ins, the Rochester Gay Liberation Front organized a social event called a “gay-in” at Genesee Valley Park, beginning the tradition of “annual gay community picnic(s).” A Pride Parade was added to Rochester Pride’s annual observance in 1989.

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Traci Westcott

This is the first time in recent years that RIT has participated in the Pride Parade.

RIT’s participation in the parade this year underscores the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion efforts. Fostering an environment that embraces all students, faculty, and staff, that is respectful of different cultures, perspectives, and beliefs, aligns with the overall goals and mission of Rochester’s Pride festivities.

“This is a meaningful moment that reminds the Rochester community that RIT is a welcoming place for all students, alumni, faculty, and staff. I am proud of being able to work with such a wonderful team of people to bring this event to fruition and celebrate both LGBTQIA2S+ and Tiger Pride,” said Casey.

For more information about RIT’s LGBTQIA2S+ community and resources, contact the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center at wgsrc@rit.edu.