Born in 2010, The Hudson Pride Foundation is Columbia County's very first and only LGBT organization.
The Hudson Pride Foundation hosts various events throughout the year, most notably being our annual Hudson Pride Parade & Festival, the 3rd weekend in June in Hudson, NY.
Supported & staffed by volunteers, the Hudson Pride Foundation aims to foster awareness of LGBT issues, work for equality, be a positive resource for the community, and award scholarships to Columbia County high school seniors for college tuition.
Download The Hudson Pride Foundation Scholarship PDF
BOARD MEMBERS
Trixie Starr, (aka Rich Volo): President Rich Volo moved to Hudson with no real prior drag queen experience. Rich's years of experience and skills as a financial industry IT Project Manager transferred to his new second career as a drag-queen event planner. Currently, Trixie Starr organizes dance parties (Trixie's Whorehouse), BINGO games, film nights, bakes cookies ('from Trixie's Oven'), writes the blog, GayHudson.com, and helped start the first Hudson Pride parade. Rich Volo manages "Trixie Starr Enterprises, LLC", a company specializing in computer consulting and event planning, and is a member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. email Trixie
Martha Harvey: Executive Director Martha is a very boring 47 year old that used to be the life of the party but has since given up all her vices but one – chocolate. Martha spends her days in NJ living in a cube & her nights and weekends enjoying all the charms that upstate NY has to offer. Martha is an active board member for the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce. Martha lives in Hudson with her partner of 19 years and one very neurotic cat and one extremely fluffy one. email Martha
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Aaron Enfield: Aaron Enfield received his B.A.</strong> from the State University of New York at Albany in 2005 and has worked extensively in the theater and creative arts community regionaly and in New York City. Aaron is currently working on launching Hank and Hattie, an up-cycled tote bag line. In addition to Hudson Pride, Aaron is a volunteer for the Empire State Pride Agenda, Historic Hudson, FringeNYC, and is the President of the newly formed Columbia County Young Democrats. Aaron is on the gay men's dodgeball team of the Hudson Valley: Hudson Valley of the Balls. email Aaron
Timothy Howard: Timothy was born and raised in Columbia County. Recently Graduating from Hudson High School. Timothy currently attends CGCC where he is starting the colleges first ever LGBT organization. With his big victory as senior prom queen Timothy’s life changed forever. He and his friend Charlie were not only the Grand Marshals in the Albany Pride Parade, but were also the Grand Marshals in the first ever Hudson Pride Parade. He is more then honored to be a part of the Hudson Pride Foundation. email Timothy
Harry Laughlin: Harry was born & raised in New Jersey and lived in New York City for close to 15 years before settling down in Hudson, NY in May of 2006. While in New York City, Harry became active in community issues and was elected President for the Tudor City Neighborhood Association for 4 years. During that same period Harry was appointed by the Manhattan Borough President to serve on Community Board 5 to address community issues. Harry currently serves on the Hudson Democratic Committee for the 3rd Ward. email Harry
Victor Mendolia: Victor was born and raised on Long Island and escaped as quickly as possible moving to New York City at 19, never looking back. His first job in New York was as a banquet waiter at Windows on the World, the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center. He produced events at some of the biggest and best nightclubs in NYC including, Palladium, Roxy, Danceteria and the Pyramid Club. He was also a co-owner of the Limbo Lounge, the seminal East Village performance venue.
He had a long career in the restaurant, nightclub and retail industries. He owned the first retail business in NY's Meat Packing District, an antique store/restoration business called Phoof. He also managed the home departments at Henri Bendel and Sak's Fifth Avenue.
Victor's political life began at age 14 when he managed the campaign of a Long Island County Legislator. He was a core member of the AIDS activist group ACT UP, having proposed and organized the two largest demonstrations the group produced. He ran for NY City Council in 2001. He is currently the Chair of the Hudson City Democratic Committee and on the Executive Committee of the Columbia County Democratic Committee. email Victor
Holly Northrop: Holly is an artist & graphic designer living in Hudson. Holly owns 831 Studio, a full service design company. Holly is a street photographer, spending as much time as possible capturing the light & life in her favorite city, NYC. email Holly
Mike Patterson: Mike moved to Hudson, NY in July 2009. In his full time job, he works as the Director of Student Activities and Union Services at SUNY New Paltz. He has experience in events management, booking entertainment, and contract negotiation, He enjoys the company of his three dogs; Kiwi, Mango, and Java and is happily partnered with Jeff. He enjoys camping and vacationing in Provincetown. email Mike
Abel Ramirez: Abel is an Artist who lives and works in New York City and Hudson, New York. AbelRamirezArt.com. email Abel
Rachael Seider: Rachael is passionate in fighting for lgbt rights and animal rights. She is currently a Senior at an area High School and has lived in Columbia County all her life. After High School, Rachael plans to attend college with a major in communications and a minor in photography. She plans to use the skills she learns in order to fight for lgbt rights and animal rights. Rachael enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and pets. She also enjoys writing, taking photographs, playing piano, listening to music, learning, and watching funny movies or television shows. email Rachael
The Hudson Pride Foundation is always looking for volunteers. Whatever you can do, big or small, will be greatly appreciated.
Please email: info@HudsonPrideFoundation.com | Hudson Pride Foundation | PO Box 656 | Hudson, NY 12534 | 917-470-0495
