BOSTON, MA (June 20, 2026) – Since the NCAA Inclusion Committee's 2010 commitment to diversity, inclusion and gender equity among student-athletes, coaches and staff, advocacy for inclusion in collegiate athletics has grown steadily. That momentum has only accelerated post-pandemic, with programs like the Athlete Ally Campus Chapter Support Program giving student-athletes a structured way to drive change on their own campuses. UMass Boston has been part of that wave since 2024, working to build a more inclusive community in Beaconville.
In recognition of Pride Month, UMass Boston Athletics is spotlighting the student-athletes behind the Beacons' Athlete Ally chapter — and the inclusive culture they are working to build.
Athlete Ally is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 to advance LGBTQ+ equity in sports. The organization's Campus Chapter Program supports student-athletes interested in creating positive change within their athletic communities. The UMass Boston chapter first took root in fall 2024 and became an official student organization in fall 2025, with September 2026 marking its first anniversary as a recognized student organization.
Leading the chapter into that milestone year is Brianna Furtado-Fernandes (Brockton, Mass.), a member of the UMass Boston women's track and field team and the organization's newly elected president for 2026-27. No stranger to the organization, Furtado-Fernandes served as Co-Treasurer during the chapter's 2025-26 inaugural year before stepping into the top leadership role.
For her, the work is personal.
"The organization is meaningful to me because it creates opportunities for education and advocacy within athletics," she said.
"Sports have the power to bring people together, and Athlete Ally helps ensure that everyone feels respected, supported, and valued regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression."
Furtado-Fernandes will be supported by a returning executive board heading into 2026-27. Kylie Marshall (Bolton, Mass.), a junior on the UMass Boston women's soccer team, will serve a dual role as both Vice President and Secretary — bringing organizational continuity to the chapter's day-to-day operations. Returning for her second year on the board, Ashleigh Lagor (Millbury, Mass.), a junior on the women's basketball team, steps into the full Treasurer role after serving as Co-Treasurer during the chapter's inaugural year. The Event Planner position is still to be determined as the board finalizes its roster heading into the fall.
Athlete Ally's vision is "liberation for every sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in sport." The organization works to end the oppression that isolates and excludes LGBTQ+ individuals in athletics, with a mission to activate athletic communities to eliminate homophobia and transphobia within sport. At UMass Boston, the chapter has worked to bring that vision to life across all three athletic seasons, hosting Pride games and distributing educational materials aimed at increasing awareness and promoting inclusivity within the Beacons community.
The chapter is designed to serve a broad audience. While it provides support for LGBTQ+ student-athletes, it is equally a home for allies, teammates, coaches, administrators, and community members who want to better understand the challenges LGBTQ+ athletes face and learn how to build more inclusive environments. That open-door approach extends beyond the executive board — Athlete Ally's impact depends on its general membership, whose involvement in events, outreach, tabling, and advocacy within their own teams gives the chapter its reach across Beaconville.
Looking ahead to 2026-27, Furtado-Fernandes sees the chapter's growth as a collective effort. "Together, the executive board and members work to support LGBTQ+ individuals in athletics, educate athletes and coaches, encourage allyship and advocacy, and strengthen connections between the athletic and LGBTQ+ communities," she said. "As athletes and leaders on campus, we strive to foster an environment of inclusion, collaboration, and service throughout UMass Boston athletics."
Furtado-Fernandes closed with forward looking goals, saying "We hope to continue growing our chapter, expanding our reach within athletics, and increasing awareness of LGBTQI+ inclusion through education and advocacy."
"We also look forward to collaborating with coaches, team leaders, and campus organizations, such as the Queer Student Center, to create meaningful programming and further strengthen a culture of allyship and belonging throughout UMass Boston athletics".
