Lebanon city streets were alive with color, joy, and acceptance this past Sunday, June 25, as the third annual Lebanon’s Got Pride event celebrated not only Pride but also Caribbean-American Heritage Month, Juneteenth, and Men’s Health Month.
Stretching from West Cumberland Street to Chestnut Street on South Eighth Street, the free event ran from noon until 6 p.m., presenting a range of attractions.
Attendees were entertained by a DJ, Zumba sessions, a fashion show, and child-friendly drag performances. An area dedicated to children featured face painting and chalk drawings among other fun activities.
Prior to the event, co-organizers Ashley Santana-Speraw and Betsy Marie Espinosa stressed to LebTown the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding the drag community.
“We really just want to break the stigma that the drag community has at the moment,” said Espinoza. “Bad does exist out there within the world, but it isn’t within our community.”
The event was strategically scheduled to follow a 10:30 a.m. nondenominational service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22 S. 6th St.
Santana-Speraw explained this choice, saying, “There are different parishes that are very accepting of people in the LGBT community. You do not need to forsake your faith because of who you love.”
Lebanon city police were also on scene to ensure the safety of everyone who came out to participate in the event.
Read More: An open letter from the Rector of St. Luke’s regarding Pride
A diversity of vendors added to the celebratory atmosphere, with local favorites like Divas Have to Eat, Holey Truth Body Arts, and Cotton Candy Coven taking part. Espinosa’s 5-year-old helped to run a lemonade stand, with all profits donated to the Trevor Project.
In addition to the fun and festivities, the event also provided critical resources for attendees, including information on medical, housing, and mental health services.
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Businesses such as the Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts and Schaylor Brewing Co. also participated, staying open for visitors on the day of the event.
Planning Committee member Joseph “JoJo” Romanoff told LebTown that he was acknowledged during the event by Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello for an essay that he had written for the NAACP branch about Pride and enduring bullying incidents as a youth. “She really honored me and right after she joined in for the first of my two Zumba Fitness Segments,” said Romanoff.
“This is so important to me cause Mayor Sherry has a huge heart and spirit,” said Romanoff, and said that the two clicked immediately, in part over a shared love of dance.
“To me, as long there is LOVE and DANCE, anything is possible,” said Romanoff.
Romanoff said that in his role as a vice president of the NAACP branch, he wants to represent everyone that knows what it’s like to come from a place of rejection.
Romanoff shared video, recorded by Ange Burke, which you can find below.
The planning committee, including drag performer Whitley, newcomer Luis Mozena, and Scott Church, who has been part of the event since its inception, encouraged interested parties to contact them for future volunteer opportunities or for any questions at lebanonsgotpride@yahoo.com.
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Editor’s note: This article was updated after publication with additional comment from Romanoff.
