Lehigh Valley Pride Festival Celebrates Visibility and Community

On a humid Sunday afternoon, several thousand people gathered at SteelStacks in south Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to celebrate the annual Lehigh Valley Pride festival. Sponsored by the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, the event featured an array of entertainment, arts and crafts, food and drink, along with over 100 vendors showcasing their offerings.

Attendees, including local residents Karen Van Gorden and Maureen Gramlich, expressed their appreciation for the festival’s evolution since its relocation from Allentown to SteelStacks three years ago. Gramlich emphasized the importance of visibility for the LGBT community, stating, “There are things we can do now that we couldn’t do 15 years ago, such as coming out to admit that you were gay or anything. It’s good that other people know they can come out and tell people.”

The festival’s significance was further highlighted by Matt Morella, a Muhlenberg College attendee, who remarked on the importance of being visible. “When it’s hidden, this kind of implies that it’s something that is not correct, or something that’s not morally acceptable. When it’s out in the open, you’re not hiding; it’s the way you live,” he explained.

Lines for security checks were lengthy, and within an hour of the event’s start, the plaza by the ArtsQuest Center was bustling with activity. The Levitt Pavilion stage hosted various performances, including comedians, bands, DJs, and singers. Inside the air-conditioned Musikfest Café, activities catered to all ages, featuring a drag queen story hour with Miss Amie, performances by the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, and line dancing sessions with Apple Ranch Line Dance. Additional offerings included an interfaith prayer area and a sensory space on the second floor.

Vendors comprised a mix of local businesses and nonprofits, including medical facilities, churches, and organizations focused on anti-trafficking efforts. Jewelyn Butron, the communication coordinator at Bradbury-Sullivan, emphasized the importance of community visibility, particularly given the current political climate. “It’s important to show up every day to be ourselves,” she commented. “With the climate of the world and our government, it’s not the best time. But it is the best time, because we need to show that we exist, the LGBTQIA+ community exists.”

Concerns regarding the political environment were underscored by recent actions taken by former President Donald Trump, who, according to the Associated Press, has been criticized for an unprecedented assault on the LGBTQ+ community since his return to office earlier this year. His administration has included anti-transgender messaging as part of its campaign strategy, resulting in the dismissal of transgender service members from the military and the signing of several executive orders impacting the community.

Deb Martin, a volunteer with the Parents of Trans Kids community group at Bradbury-Sullivan, highlighted the need for safe spaces for families. Her group, which debuted a table at last year’s Lehigh Valley Pride for the first time, provides resources for parents navigating legal and medical issues related to transgender youth. Martin reflected on the surprising turnout seeking information, stating, “In the current environment, it’s super valuable for us to be visible if we’re able to, because not everybody can be visible.”

As the festival continued to unfold, the atmosphere remained vibrant and filled with hope, reinforcing the message of unity and the importance of community visibility.