This story originally appeared in the Centre County Gazette.
State College Pride will return for its fourth annual downtown State College celebration on Saturday, June 8. Throughout the day, a series of events and activities will be put on to celebrate Pride, including a performance from a fire eater, puppet show, improv troupe and more. Food trucks will also be available during the day, in addition to caricature art and face painting during the festival from noon to 4 p.m. in Sidney Friedman Park.
The Pride celebration will begin with a parade at 10 a.m., and this year, a highly regarded soccer player will step into the role of grand marshal.
Marinette Pichon, a French athlete who is often esteemed as one of France’s greatest soccer players, will return for the second time to State College.
“As the grand marshal of State College Pride, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to celebrate and honor the diversity, resilience and unity of our LGBTQ+ community,” Pichon said. “Being selected for this role is not just an honor but a profound responsibility to represent and uplift the voices of those who have fought tirelessly for equality and acceptance. It’s a chance to stand in solidarity with individuals of all walks of life, and to continue the ongoing work towards a more inclusive and affirming society.”
Pichon is known for having held the French national team goal-scoring record, with 81 in 112 matches, for almost two decades. She was also France’s first professional soccer player to be contracted by the Women’s United Soccer Association, and she played for the Philadelphia Charge during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. She continued her career playing for Juvisy FCF in France and returned to the United States to play for the New Jersey Wildcats for one season.
After retiring from professional play, Pichon went on to be a consultant for France Télévisions.
She first visited State College in 2023 for the Centre Film Festival, which showed “Marinette,” a biopic based on her life. During her visit, she stopped by both Centre LGBT+, a group focused on enhancing the lives of LGBT+ members and their friends and families, and Centre Safe, whose mission is to “to empower survivors of sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking and to work toward the elimination of such violence.”
“My visit to the center was a heartwarming experience that reminded me of the importance of safe spaces for everyone to gather, seek support and find belonging,” Pichon shared. “Witnessing the warmth and camaraderie within the walls of the center was truly inspiring, and it sparked within me a deep sense of gratitude for the progress we’ve made as a community, as well as a renewed determination to push for further advancements in rights and representation.”
Throughout her career, Pichon has remained dedicated to advocating for LGBT+ and women’s rights, and has supported a wide range of causes.
“As the 2024 grand marshal, I am committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, advocating for equal rights and fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding,” Pichon said. “I look forward to marching alongside my fellow community members, allies and supporters during Pride festivities, and to continue working towards a future where everyone can live authentically and without fear of discrimination.”
State College Pride is hosted by Centre LGBT+ with the support of the Downtown State College Improvement District, the Borough of State College, sponsors and community members. For more information about events, and for resources, visit centrelgbtplus.org.
“Together, we can create a world where love is celebrated, diversity is embraced and equality is a reality for all,” Pichon noted.
