Board of Directors
Gina DuQuenne - Founder & President
Gina (she/her) is originally a native of Los Angeles, California but when her wife introduced her to Ashland, she fell in love with the Rogue Valley and moved up to Southern Oregon two years later. She is a proud member (and city councilor!) of a community that so openly welcomes diversity and fosters acceptances.
In May 2009, Gina's wife and dear friend discussed the possibilities of a pride festival and decided to "take it to the streets!" The next year on October 9, 2010 they marched with some 500 people down Main Street in Ashland with hundreds people cheering them on and SOPride was born.
With a loving family, and a tremendous passion for life, Gina is happy to be here celebrating eleven beautiful years of pride in Ashland, OR.
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Email: gina.duquenne@gmail.com
Phone: (541) 890-3548
Sonya Smith - Secretary
Sonya Smith (she/her) is the queer owner of Ashland Aerial Arts providing a safe space, particularly for youth in the Rogue Valley, to take physical risks and express themselves creatively.
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Kim Marks - Treasurer​
Kim is a lifelong environmental activist, with a BS in Forest ecology. She has worked for several national NGOs and many grassroots efforts as an organizer, campaigner, and trainer. Her work has especially focused on alliance-building with Indigenous communities and labor unions. In 2015, she opened As You Like It in Eugene, Oregon, a store which specializes in eco-conscious, gender-inclusive and body-safe sexual health products. In 2019 she opened her second location in Ashland. Kim loves creating spaces for change and growth.
Serina Pori
Serina Pori was born and raised in Southern Oregon and is the proud parent of a beautiful transgender daughter. She has worked in the Southern Oregon nonprofit sector since 2015 and is passionate about building a community where all feel welcome, supported, and loved.
Jolie Balocca​
Jolie Balocca (she/her) is so excited to be a board member of Southern Oregon Pride (SOPRIDE)! Raised in Ashland, OR she has a deep desire and is committed to fostering acceptance, diversity, and equality within the community for LGBTQIA+ rights. As an active and dedicated board member for SOPRIDE, Jolie finds passion in supporting her friends and family that are a part of this community and is actively dedicated to creating an environment where all people feel like they belong.
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In addition to her board responsibilities, Jolie enjoys hunting for vintage treasures, exploring in the great outdoors, live music, attending social events, networking, and travel. Jolie has also been known to thrive at karaoke dance parties.
2024 Volunteers
​Harriet Watson - Design
Harriet Watson (she/her) was born in London, moved to the US in 1996, and to Southern Oregon in 2018. She is a designer, writer, and editor who lives in Talent with her wife and beautiful pup, Mari.
Cian Murty (They/Them) - Vendor Booths
Leah Halpert (She/Her) - Volunteer Coordinator
Tara Houston (She/Her) - Coordination with OSF
Stephanie Ryden - (She/Her)
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To volunteer in for our 2024 Parade click here