Wilkes-Barre shows its Pride

WILKES-BARRE — The Rainbow Alliance hosted its second annual Pride Parade in downtown Wilkes-Barre Sunday afternoon followed by Pridefest on Public Square, bringing local LGBTQ+ organizations and elected officials together with members of the community in celebration of Pride Month.

Despite weather concerns, the festivities went off without a hitch and were only briefly interrupted by a few scattered showers toward the end.

This was only the second year that the Rainbow Alliance hosted its Pridefest in Wilkes-Barre, but Board Chair Justin Correll is confident that the event has finally found a permanent home. The joyful event was bittersweet for Correll, as it was his last as board chair of the Rainbow Alliance.

Both sides of the street were packed with parade goers who clapped and shouted words of encouragement as the parade made its way down South Main Street. Some waved small Pride flags while others wore longer ones tied around their necks like capes. Children were happy to catch candy, of course, and those walking in the parade routinely stepped out of line to hug friends and family members who were eagerly waiting along the curb.

Several local LGBTQ+ organizations participated in this year’s parade including NEPA Pride Coalition, Queer NEPA, NEPA Pride Project and Free Mom Hugs. Collectively, they offer a variety of inclusive services, working to advance equality and acceptance for all members of the community and throughout the region through education, support and advocacy.

Other groups included local children’s theater companies KISS and Phoenix Pac, Wilkes-Barre Roller Derby club, Polka Banksi, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and many more.

Mayor George Brown walked in the parade as well and was joined by several other elected officials, including state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, Wilkes-Barre City Councilman Tony Brooks, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and state Sen. Marty Flynn.

While Gov. Josh Shapiro was unable to make it due to a scheduling conflict, NEPA Regional Director for the Governor’s Office Drew Popish represented the governor in his place.

After the parade, attendees gathered on Public Square for some entertainment provided by members of both the KISS and Phoenix Pac theater companies as well as talent from the local drag community, including the winner of this year’s Pridefest Royale, Memphis Alvarez.

There were over 75 vendors scattered around Public Square, representing various LGBTQ+ owned businesses and advocacy groups along with several food trucks.

The NEPA Ally of the Year Award went to Maureen Grey, who was also the parade grand marshal, for her work as the founder and Executive Director of the NEPA Youth Shelter in Scranton, while the NEPA Pride Champion of the Year Award went to Jacob Kelley,who appeared as their drag persona Trixie Valentine, for their work and advocacy in the community, including organizing the yearly Royale pageant.

Many prominent LGBTQ+ leaders and allies spoke throughout the event, highlighting the importance of equality and inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals, who continue to face discrimination on a daily basis.

“This year’s Pridefest is both a celebration and a call to action,” Correll told the crowd. “Our mission for this year’s Pridefest is to provide a safe space and empower the community by connecting with each other and sharing the essential resources available.”

In the nearly two decades since the Rainbow Alliance first started its Pridefest, Correll, who is also the Mayor of Laurel Run Borough, said that “tremendous strides” have been made in the community in regards to equality and acceptance.

“We started Pridefest 17 years ago at Kirby Park with orange fences surrounding the pavilion to keep protesters out,” he said.

However, Correll acknowledged that the community is once again facing a crisis due the hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that has been introduced across the country, targeting individuals from historically marginalised communities, specifically those who are transgender.

However, that reality did not seem to dampen anyone’s spirit.

“At Stonewall, we stood our ground and we today, we are still fighting,” said Correll.

Kelley offered similar sentiments. “What I have to say is, ‘We got this. We ain’t backing down from nothing.’”

Despite the current hardships facing the community, Correll is looking to the future, as the Rainbow Alliance is currently in talks to expand its Pridefest celebration to the city of Scranton next year, in an effort to spread the organization’s message of love and acceptance across the region.

“These should be family events,” said Cognetti. “We are teaching our children that love is love and everyone is free in America to be who they are and love who they love.”