Dutchess County Pride Center

In light of the recent wave of Executive Orders issued by the White House, we want to reassure all of you that the Dutchess County Pride Center remains steadfast in its mission and will continue to be a safe, welcoming space for every member of the LGBTQ+ community. While these actions may create fear and uncertainty, always remember: a piece of paper will never determine your worth or your validity. Your existence is valid, your identity is valid, and nothing can ever change that truth. We are closely monitoring these Executive Orders as they unfold, as well as the legal challenges being raised in courts across the country. The intention behind these Orders is clear.? They aim to provoke panic and sow fear within our community. But we will not let that happen. We are working closely with other LGBTQ+ organizations across the Hudson Valley and throughout New York State to stay proactive, stay informed, and remain united in the face of these challenges.

As we step into a new year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we've shared and express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you. The past year has been one of growth, challenges, and triumphs, and together, we have fostered a community that celebrates diversity, embraces differences, and champions the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. May the new year bring you peace, joy, and an abundance of love. We look forward to continuing this important journey together and to making even greater strides in the months ahead. Wishing you a Happy New Year from all of us at the Duchess Pride Center!

Dutchess Pride was thrilled to celebrate our grand opening this past Monday hosted by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce! Elected officials and community members joined us to officially let our neighbors and friends all around Dutchess County know that we are here and ready in Poughkeepsie to serve the LGBTQ+ community! Check out www.dutchesspride.org and our Facebook and Instagram pages for more information about our events, programs, and everything else we offer!

Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado joined Executive Director Karen Marder, Board Members Adam Rubinstein & Jason Baker, and summer volunteers Sam, Angel, and Seymone at the Pride Center earlier today to discuss LGBTQIA+ policy and issues within New York, and the ways in which the Pride Center supports LGBTQIA+ youth and adults in Dutchess County. Many thanks to the Lieutenant Governor for his time today!

Thank you to the 150+ runners who braved the hot and incredibly humid weather this morning for the 2nd Annual Pride 5K Fun Run fundraiser with?Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie! In case you missed it, the event is an untimed 5 kilometer run/walk around the Shoppes at South Hills, which is a very flat running spot. Everyone who participated received a ‘Running Is For Everyone’ T-Shirt, rainbow sunglasses, rainbow medal, and a rainbow sprinkles cookie! Proceeds from the run benefitted the Pride Center and will go to helping us keep our social/support programming free and accessible to all. We hope to see everyone back for a 3rd year, with an even bigger turnout!?

In response to the Heat Advisory gripping the county right now, Dutchess Pride is happy to announce we will have our doors open as a queer-friendly temporary cooling center both Thursday, June 20th (today), and Friday, June 21st from 9:00am-5:00pm. While we expand our programming and get used to our new space, we hope to be able to continue to offer this service to the community when the need arises in the future. #CoolingCenter #queerfriendlycoolingcenter #dutchesspride #dutchesspridecenter #DutchessCountyNY #PoughkeepsiePride #lgbtqia #heatadvisory #transrights #queerfriendly

The Pride Center is closed today, Wednesday June 19th, in honor of Juneteenth Freedom Day. Finally becoming a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and highlights the continuing fight for racial justice and equity. There will be no Quiet Reading Club or other programming today. We hope instead you’ll attend Beacon’s Second Annual Juneteenth Riverfront Festival, organized by Beacon 4 Black Lives & Bosco and the Storm. The festival is from 11:00am-5:00pm at Pete & Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park in Beacon. Check out their pages for more details! #juneteenthfreedom #dutchesscountyny #supportblackartists #racialjustice #prideforall #intersectionalitymatters #beaconny

This gorgeous double rainbow ?? made its debut in the skies over Hopewell Junction last night - just in time to mark the halfway point of Pride Month! Could you ask for a better sign that this month will be one to remember? #pridemonth2024 #pridemonth?? #dutchesspride #dutchesscounty #hopewelljunction

Thank you, Poughkeepsie, for an amazing Pride 2024! Over 5,000 of you turned out to Market Street/Waryas Park in the City of Poughkeepsie to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and equality in our greater Dutchess County community. Save the date for next year: June 14, 2025! Professional photos incoming in the next few weeks, but here's a few awesome shots in the meantime. Thank you to HUDSY for providing the Photo Booth pics!

POUGHKEEPSIE PRIDE IS HAPPENING TODAY! Join us at on Market Street at 11:00am to March, or at Waryas Park from Noon-5:00pm for the Festival! #poughkeepsiepride2024 #poughkeepsiepride