"Proclaiming Our Presence": Lehigh Valley's LGBT Community Honors Pride at Annual Festival

A Celebration of Visibility and Unity

On a humid Sunday afternoon, the Lehigh Valley Pride celebration brought together thousands of people at SteelStacks in south Bethlehem. This annual event, organized by the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, offered a vibrant mix of entertainment, arts and crafts, food, and over 100 vendors. The atmosphere was filled with energy and a sense of community as attendees gathered to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Karen Van Gorden and Maureen Gramlich, both from Bethlehem, have been attending LV Pride every year. They noted that the event has improved significantly since it moved to SteelStacks three years ago. For Gramlich, the importance of being open and visible in the LGBT community cannot be overstated.

“There are things we can do now that we couldn’t do 15 years ago,” Gramlich said. “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.”

Matt Morella, who attended Muhlenberg College, emphasized the significance of visibility. “When it’s hidden, this kind of implies that it’s something that is not correct, or something that’s not morally acceptable, versus when it’s out in the open, you’re not hiding, it’s the way you live, the way you are your life.”

The event featured long lines for security checks, but within an hour, the plaza by ArtsQuest Center was packed. The stage at Levitt Pavilion hosted several acts, including comedians, bands, DJs, and singers. Inside, there were activities for all ages, with the Musikfest Cafe offering a drag queen story hour with Miss Amie, performances by Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, and line dancing with Apple Ranch Line Dance.

On the second floor, visitors could find an interfaith prayer area and a sensory space, highlighting the inclusive nature of the event. Vendors included various Lehigh Valley businesses and nonprofits, such as medical facilities, churches, and anti-trafficking organizations.

Jewelyn Butron, communication coordinator at Bradbury-Sullivan, stressed the importance of community presence in today's political climate. “It’s more important than ever for the community to turn out in numbers with the current political situation,” she said. “It’s important to show up every day, to be ourselves. With the climate of the world and our government and what it seems like, it’s not the best time. It is the best time, because we need to show that we exist, the LGBTQIA+ community exists, and the more we show up, the more we come together as people, and it’s more visible, it allows others to feel safe.”

Activists have highlighted concerns about the current administration's impact on the LGBTQ+ community. According to reports, President Donald Trump has taken actions that many view as an assault on the community, including making anti-transgender messages a key part of his campaign and implementing policies that affect transgender service members and other aspects of the LGBT community.

Deb Martin, a volunteer with the Parents of Trans Kids community group at Bradbury-Sullivan, explained that her group provides a safe space for parents to discuss their feelings and access resources for legal and medical issues. She noted that in the current environment, the group is needed more than ever. They set up a table for the first time at last year’s Lehigh Valley Pride and were surprised by the number of people seeking information.

“I thought in the current environment, it’s super valuable for us to be visible if we’re able to, because not everybody can be visible,” Martin said. The event served as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of continued advocacy and visibility.