Jun 15, 2023
June 15, 2023 (Rochester, NY) –Reenah Golden and Todd Ranous have been named the Grand Marshal and Honorary Marshal of Rochester Pride. Both honorees will attend the Flag Raising Ceremony, the Pride Parade, and other events throughout Pride Week.
The Pride Grand Marshal is a person who has made contributions to better the life of the LGBTQ+ Community in the Rochester Area in the past, present, and future. The Pride Honorary Marshal is a person who has made contributions to better the life of the LGBTQ+ Community and may have been overlooked in the past. Nominations were accepted online, and the winners were selected by community-based volunteers dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride in the Greater Rochester area.
Pride Grand Marshal – Reenah Golden
Reenah Golden (she/they) is an accomplished cultural worker, activist, and educator who has dedicated her life to empowering marginalized communities and amplifying their voices. A native of Rochester with a passion for social justice and artistic expression, Reenah is the Founder of The Avenue Blackbox Theatre, providing a powerful platform for Black and LGBTQIA communities to reclaim their narratives and showcase their stories. The theatre, which is located on Joseph Avenue, serves as a vital space for artistic expression, especially for those who have historically been underrepresented and marginalized.
Reenah also teaches and guest-lectures at schools, organizations, colleges, universities, and cultural institutions both locally and internationally – including as a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Rochester's International Theatre Program. In 2000, Reenah co-founded Kuumba Consultants, an arts-in-education agency dedicated to connecting artists of color with schools in need of artistic and cultural programming. She also established Slam High, a nationally acclaimed performance poetry program for teens, which was featured in the HBO docu-series "Brave New Voices" in 2009.
Reenah’s dedication to social justice and equality has earned her numerous accolades and recognition, including the Writers & Books’ “Teacher of Young People of the Year,” Geva Theatre’s “Essie Calhoun Diversity Award,” the New York State Council on the Arts’ “Individual Artist” award, and the League of Women Voters’ “Making Democracy Work” award. Reenah serves on the boards of Yoga 4 a Good Hood and Oakland Black Pride.
Pride Honorary Marshal – Todd Ranous
Todd Ranous (he/him) has worked for the Monroe County Department of Human Services for more than 25 years. He has served in a variety of roles, including Child Protective Services, Residential Services, Foster Care Intake, The You Team, Foster Care After Hours and in Foster Care Homefinding.
While working for Monroe County, Todd helped to establish mandatory LGBTQ+ training for all service staff and foster parents. In addition, he joined a PRIDE committee under County Executive Adam Bello to help acknowledge the many PRIDE events that happen in our community throughout the year. Todd is frequently at community service fairs, and he’s passionate about recruiting members of the LGBTQ+ community to work in the county.
Todd has had the pleasure of working with many agencies and organizations in the Queer community. He currently runs the Queer Collaboration, which convenes service providers and schools to discuss programs to help LGBTQ+ kids and families. Todd sits on the Rochester Pride Picnic Committee and the work group that brought back the Big Queer Prom, free of charge, for LGBTQ youth in Rochester.
Todd has also organized several fundraisers over the years, including a fundraiser for trans youth services in memory of his cousin, Kaitlyn Emily. He plans to work for the betterment of the LGBTQ+ community for many years to come.
About the Rochester Pride Parade & Festival
The Pride Parade and Festival will take place on July 15, 2023. The parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the intersection of Alexander Street and Park Avenue. It will travel down Park Avenue and end at Brunswick Street. The festival will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cobbs Hill Park. It will include food, drinks, games, activities, vendor tables, live music, and performances. Tickets for the festival are on sale at rochesterpride.com (or click here for the direct link.) General admission tickets are $5 and VIP tickets are $50. Kids under 12 are free.
For more information, please visit the official Pride website at rochesterpride.com.
About Trillium Health
Trillium Health is a Community Health Center that provides extraordinary care for all, including LGBTQ+ health, ensuring equitable, judgement-free, and affordable care. We believe that everyone who walks through our doors deserves high quality, affordable healthcare, regardless of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. For more information, please visit www.trilliumhealth.org.