As we head into the weekend of Lebanon’s Pride celebration (details below!), I thought it appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the history of Pride, highlight the progress our community has made in creating LGBTQ+ affirming spaces and resources, and recognize the struggles still faced by LGBTQ+ folx in Lebanon, Schuylkill, and beyond.
Did you know the first Pride was a protest? Many trace the origins of Pride back to June 28th, 1969, when the NYPD raided The Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village that was known to be an LGBT gathering place. While these raids were not an uncommon practice at the time, when police began violently dragging patrons and employees from the bar, a group of locals began to gather in protest. The resistance from local LGBT leaders grew and resulted in six days of protest and confrontations with the NYPD, now referred to as The Stonewall Riots. The following year in June, activists organized marches in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in commemoration of the anniversary of Stonewall—the first Pride Parades. More Pride events spread throughout the nation during the month of June in following years, and in 2000, June was officially declared Pride Month under the Clinton Administration.
Over 50 years since its inception, we now recognize Pride as a time to celebrate the joy and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community and those within it. In the last several years, Lebanon has mobilized to create and expand LGBT-Affirming resources. Here are just a few things going on that I’m excited to share:
- Creative Hearts: An arts-based group co-sponsored by SARCC and The LGBT Center of Greater Reading, hosted at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Under-18 group meets the second Tuesday of the month, Adult group meets 4th Thursdays. Both groups run from 6-8 pm! Contact jwecker@sarccheals.org or advocate@lgbtcenterofreading.com for more info!
- VOICES: Educational/Support & Social group for LGBT youth ages 12-18 (if still in school) hosted at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church by The LGBT Center of Greater Reading every Tuesday from 3:30-5:30 pm. Contact advocate@lgbtcenterofreading.com for more info!
- Pride Warriors: An LGBTQ+ Veterans Group hosted by The LGBT Center of Greater Reading on 2nd Tuesdays, location TBD! Contact advocate@lgbtcenterofreading.com for more info!
- 50+ Group: A social group for LGBTQ+ folks age 50+ hosted by The LGBT Center of Greater Reading. Date and time TBD, contact advocate@lgbtcenterofreading.com for more info!
- Mornings Out: A 60+ LGBTQ+ breakfast group that meets the first Tuesday of the month at 8:30 am at Funck’s in Palmyra. Hosted by the Lebanon County Senior Community Center Program. Contact Shannon.McMinn@lebanoncountypa.gov for more info!
- Generations of Pride: A quarterly dinner for those 21+ at The Downtown Lounge, next date is Saturday, September 14th at 6 pm. Contact Shannon.McMinn@lebanoncountypa.gov for more info!
However, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. To this day, LGBTQ+ folx experience higher rates of physical and sexual violence than their straight counterparts, and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation have been on the rise. From June 2022 to April 2023, the Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD documented at least 356 incidents of anti-LGBT hate and extremism. Harmful stereotypes, particularly those that associate LGBTQ+ people with pedophilia, were cited as the motivation for over half of these incidents. Moreover, our transgender brothers and sisters across the country continue to fight for their right to exist and be treated with dignity and respect in so many spaces, including (but not limited to) healthcare, schools, sports, bathrooms, and in our legal and legislative systems. While we celebrate Pride, we must also remember that it is a time to demand better for our community and continue the work to uplift those it represents.
Finally, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating Pride this weekend in Lebanon. There are many ways to get involved. On Saturday, June 22nd from 6:30-8:30 pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will be holding “Lights of Pride: An Evening of Prayer, Meditation, and Reconciliation”. With the sanctuary illuminated in Pride colors, this open house will offer a time for people to reflect and give the opportunity speak privately with clergy, as well as the LGBT Center of Greater Reading. On Sunday, June 23rd, St. Luke’s will be holding a Pride service, called “You Are Loved” at 10:30 am, followed by a flag-raising ceremony in the church yard and a community reception. At 1 pm, festivities kick off on 8th St between Cumberland & Chestnut. Join us for vendors, performances, and more!
