PHILLY GAY PRIDE: PARADE & FACES IN THE CROWD

Yesterday was the Philadelphia Pride Parade, an event I’ve attended nearly every year since it’s inception 25 years ago. It’s important to me, to be out, to be visible, to show support for the GLBTQ etc community. People are still getting gay bashed, and even murdered over something I was born to be. I’m not going to get into the Bible discussion, I’m no longer someone who needs to prove myself to anyone that I’m loved by God just the way I am. I wish that had come to me years ago, as I wasted so much time trying to convince others. I am proud to be gay, ecstatic to have a partner of nearly 20 years that supports my incredible career, and I’m so grateful to Philly Pride’s Franny Price (Executive Director & owner of Spruce Street Video), Chuck Volz (Senior Advisor & owner of Finnegan’s Wake, a Philadelphia pub) for saving this institution, nurturing it and growing it to the huge success it is today. It’s the best “family” reunion of people who were there for me, sometimes when family didn’t understand me.
Congrats to Franny
and her legions of supporters/volunteers who made yesterday a safe and
fabulous day to be 25 years proud of all we’ve accomplished as a
community; there are still so many great days ahead of us. Great job and
thanks everyone for coming out today! – John M Loesch Jr
We invite you to join The Attic on
November 16, 2013 at the Crystal Tea Room for a festive evening of
performances, awards, and dancing to celebrate 20 years of creating
opportunities for LGBTQ youth.
The Attic began in 1993 as a small,
weekly support group, and has since grown into a nationally recognized,
multi-service youth organization that is one of the largest community
centers in the U.S. committed exclusively to serving LGBTQ youth and
allies. There is a lot celebrate!