Originally from Wickliffe, KY, Marty Dunning, Kentucky ’07, grew up in a rural town of only 800 people. “I knew I was gay from a young age, but I didn’t feel safe to acknowledge it,” Dunning shared.
“For my undergrad, I chose to attend the University of Kentucky. I graduated after four years in 2011, which was a feat to me considering I changed my major at least five times,” Dunning said. “Through my time at UK, I slowly came out and found so much support from my brothers at Kappa. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but I felt comfortable to be myself and live my life because of the relationships I built within Phi Tau.”
After graduation, Dunning took a job at the Executive Offices. He started as an intern and eventually held positions as volunteer coordinator and communications coordinator.
In 2015, Marty took a position at Flying Horse Farm for one year before heading to Roundup River Ranch in Colorado. He spent five years there. “SeriousFun has been a passion of mine since joining Phi Kappa Tau,” he said. He held positions as program coordinator, camp recruiter, and finally program manager. “I also crossed off the accomplishment of working or volunteering at every U.S. SeriousFun camp.”
Camp had more in store for Marty. In 2016, he met his now-husband, Cooper at Roundup River Ranch. The couple was married last November on top of the Loveland Pass in Colorado.
Today, Marty works at the Boys & Girls Club in Canon City, Colorado as a unit director. The organization provides after-school and summer programs that focus on academic success, good character, leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Marty supervises 10 employees and runs programs at the K-7th grade unit. In addition to his career with the Boys & Girls Club, he is also working on his master’s in organizational leadership from Colorado State University-Global.
Marty and Cooper now live in Canon City with their two dogs, Mila and Ginger. “When I think about my friends who are also part of the LGBTQIA+ community, so many are brothers I have met around the country. I am so proud of our organization and how we not only accept brothers who are in this community, but support them in all they do,” Marty said.
“There is always work to be done, but I feel confident in our Fraternity’s capability to support my community. We accept all of our brothers based on the innate worth of the individual and celebrating Pride either as an ally or part of the community is an important way to show brotherhood in all our Fraternity.”