Despite being planned at the last minute, this year’s Pride celebration went off without a hitch.
The event, which was held on 8th Street between Cumberland and Chestnut, ran from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 24.
The celebration officially kicked off at 1 p.m. with local performer Reese Singer’s introduction, in which she described the June 28 Stonewall Riots that kicked off the fight for LGBT rights in the U.S.
“They decided, we are not going to take this anymore,” Singer said, going on to mention continued struggles for the community. “The fight has not ended.”
This was followed up by an introduction and subsequent flash dance featuring City of Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello, organized by planning committee member Joseph “JoJo” Romanoff, who told LebTown that Capello has “been a 110% supporter of Lebanon Pride and me.”
“During Pride month, we celebrate the courage and accomplishments of the LGBT community,” said Capello during her introduction.
Family-friendly entertainment continued through the night, with a live DJ and several drag performances.
The celebration was filled with attendees, food, and vendors from Lebanon and the surrounding area.
“I think it is very important for people who are not heteronormative to have a day; have a sense that, ‘I’m not alone, there are others like me and I have people I can lean on,'” said local vendor Kristina.
While Lebanon has been the site of Pride events for years, the previous organizers were unable to plan it this year.
The new organizers put together the event within six weeks of its June 23 date — with the help of previous organizers, community partners, and local business support.
“It was a community collaboration that came together,” explained organizer Steve Doster, chief warden at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. “The previous organizers had bandwidth issues, but we really didn’t want to see this event go away.”
Community partners like SARCC, WellSpan Health and Lebanon Family Health pitched in, said organizer Ali Perroto.
“All of the major players that create health and safety here in Lebanon have pitched in,” said Perroto. “They have made this possible.”
Perroto also mentioned that Target reached out at the last minute to provide free water to attendees, to counter the weekend’s heat wave.
In addition to its role organizing Pride, St. Luke’s has been involved with the Lebanon LGBTQ+ community year-round, particularly over the last year.
“Part of our mission is that we believe all people are welcome in God’s eyes,” said Rev. David Zwifka, explaining that he had witnessed a need from some LGBTQ+ community members for church affirmation. “Our beauty comes from diversity, not from conformity.”
St. Luke’s houses a satellite location for the LGBT Center of Greater Reading, which is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They host support groups, community events, and more.
“I think we’re really trying to expand to areas that have a great LGBTQ population but might be lacking in services,” explained liaison and sexual assault navigator Susan Fetzer.
One sentiment that echoed through attendees and organizers was the need for community support for members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially the youth.
“I’m a counselor, and I see a lot of people who are rejected by their families,” said Ann of Free Mom Hugs. “It’s invaluable; I’ve had people in the past who’ve cried because I hugged them and I accepted them, just the way they are.”
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