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Drag superstars Kylie Sonique Love and Ariel Versace, as well as nationally-known musician Erin McKeown, will headline the annual event.
ALLENTOWN, PA – Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is proud to announce that 2021 Lehigh Valley Pride, presented by Gilead Sciences, Inc., will take place on Sunday, August 15 from noon to 6 p.m., on the grounds of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of the Lehigh Valley (702 N. 22nd St., Allentown, PA 18101). The event will be held entirely outdoors.
Lehigh Valley Pride, entering its 28th year, has been a vibrant community event that celebrates LGBTQ arts and culture, while connecting thousands of community members to local resources.
After a successful virtual 2020 Lehigh Valley Pride due to COVID-19, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is thrilled to return to an in-person Pride experience for the community. This year’s theme is “You Are Included,” and accessibility features will include ASL interpretation on stage, ADA restrooms, and reserved seating for older adults and people with disabilities.
“I am so happy that we were able to celebrate virtually last year, but this year is about taking what we have learned and giving our community an opportunity to meet in person safely! We will celebrate Pride together! #YouAreIncluded is our theme this year, which is what our festival has always been about — inclusion, equity, and celebrating our culture with our community and allies,” said Ariel Torres, Pride programs manager at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.
“Our community is ready to safely celebrate Lehigh Valley Pride in person again, and Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is organizing an exciting community festival to celebrate the Lehigh Valley’s LGBTQ arts, culture, and community,” added Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center executive director Adrian Shanker. “Our team is working diligently to ensure COVID-19 safety protocols are in place as we return to an in-person Pride festival.”
This year’s headliners are:
- Kylie Sonique Love, drag superstar from RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 2, All Stars 6)
- Ariel Versace, drag superstar from RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 11)
- Erin McKeown, folk singer-songwriter
- Crys Matthews, folk singer-songwriter
- Regina Sayles, singer-songwriter from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
The day will start with an interfaith service at 10:30 a.m. at the JCC, hosted by Bethlehem Interfaith Group and featuring a guest sermon from Rev. Brandan Robertson, author of eight theology books on LGBTQ inclusion.
Organizers have condensed elements of Lehigh Valley Pride this year in light of public health concerns related to COVID-19. Tickets will be limited to contain crowd size, and this year’s Pride will have one stage instead of two. Pocket-sized hand sanitizers will be provided to all attendees, thanks to sponsorship from People First Federal Credit Union.
Tickets will be $10 and sold at the door. Information about volunteering opportunities and vendor registration will be posted at bradburysullivancenter.org/pride. Information about kickoff and afterparty events, as well as an announcement about this year’s grand marshals, will come soon.
About Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center (www.bradburysullivancenter.org)
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center provides arts, health, youth, and Pride programs to strengthen and support the LGBTQ community across Pennsylvania’s Greater Lehigh Valley.
Information provided to TVL by:
Stephen Jiwanmall
Communications Manager
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
