BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Organizers, activists and a drag queen on the South Bethlehem Greenway took turns Saturday speaking into a microphone, sharing messages of support and acceptance for young people in the LGBTQ community.
It was the inaugural Greenway Pride, held at the Harmony Pavilion, a Pagoda-like structure between Webster and Taylor streets on the greenway.
- Greenway Pride, an LGBTQ support event, was held Saturday
- It was organized on the South Bethlehem Greenway
- It featured poetry readings, a drag queen, face-painting, and a group called "Free Mom Hugs" hoping to spread love to young people who may have tension with their parents due to their part in the LGBTQ community
Kicking off the festivities was the Big Easy Easton Brass Band, playing its version of "When the Saints Go Marching In." They wore vivid rainbow-colored uniforms for the day, as did many in attendance.
The event was organized by a group of three friends: Alison Leigh, Maggie Riegel and Rachel Farrow.
Bethlehem, PA: the Big Easy Easton Brass band pumps up the crowd at a pride event today. Despite a single protestor, and some rain, it went without a hitch. “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain,” an organizer said. Full story coming soon to @LVNewsdotcom pic.twitter.com/dxRxUszrJX
— Julian Abraham (@JulianJAbraham) May 20, 2023
In recognition for putting it together, they were given a certificate of appreciation from a representative from state Sen. Lisa Boscola's office.
It came together just as an act of really highlighting the vibrant community that is already here with a focus, especially on the youth.Rachel Farrow, Greenway Pride co-organizer
"This event is a celebration of the community here, not just in Southside Bethlehem but the entire Lehigh Valley," Farrow said.
"It came together just as an act of really highlighting the vibrant community that is already here with a focus, especially on the youth. We have a lot of young people from Charter Arts (school) who really helped us throw this event, and we wanted to celebrate every person and walk of life here."
'Free mom hugs'
Laurie Smith stood at an extravagantly-decorated booth, wearing a shirt that said "Free Mom Hugs" — and that's exactly what she was giving out.
"'We're here to support a lot of the kids that are abandoned from their own family," Smith said. "So we want to be able to, you know, show them that they do have parents here that love them, and it doesn't matter. And we're donating some of our proceeds [from a bake sale] to a lot of the organizations here."
Smith said she was inspired to give out the "mom hugs" for a couple of reasons.
"I have a trans daughter and gay son," Smith said. "And they have friends from Charter Arts. So I'm here to just represent and be here for them."
She said it's not always the case that people in the LGBTQ community still get love from their parents after coming out, which bothers her.
"It breaks my heart," she said. "Because I am a straight female and my mother stopped talking to me, so I also know how it feels and for you to not be accepted. To not accept your child for the way they are, or who they are. It's heartbreaking. And I don't understand it. The only thing I can say is that some people should not be parents.
"Unfortunately, you really either love your kid you don't. I think it's simple," Smith said. "They are a part of you."
Free Mom Hugs is a national organization, with chapters in every state.
'Without rain, there are no rainbows'
The event was met with disapproval by one person in attendance.
While drag queen Kali Coutour was on stage telling a deeply personal story about the challenges of growing up gay, a man showed up in the front row, smoking a cigarette and raising his hand to ask a question.
"What does the rainbow represent?" he asked in an angry tone.
Organizers told him he could ask questions after, and when one of them touched his shoulder, he cursed at her. He said everyone participating in the event would go to hell.
Someone in the audience pulled him aside and said they would answer any questions but didn't want to make a scene and derail the event. The man ended up being escorted off the premises by two bicycle patrol police officers.
Organizers said they were prepared for the possibility of protesters, but not that.
Said Farrow: "Without rain, there are no rainbows."
Organizers said they hoped to make Greenway Pride an annual event. Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, who participated, said he supports that and hopes it also reaches to less tolerant parts of the Lehigh Valley.
'Everybody has their own beliefs'
Marlo Kemp, a student from nearby Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, participated in a poetry reading and responded to the disturbance.
"Everybody has their own philosophies, everybody thinks differently," Kemp said. "Everybody has their own identities. And those don't always have to clash. Those can live harmoniously.
"And they don't have to be — my belief and your belief don't have to butt heads."
Kemp said it's common for people's knee-jerk reaction to become aggressive when someone challenges your beliefs, and that might have been what happened on the greenway.
Kemp, 18, uses they/them pronouns and was met with mixed levels of acceptance after coming out.
Kemp says some people refuse to use their correct pronouns, which feels like a slight.
"You know, as sad as it is, I think I've almost gotten used to it," Kemp said. "But it definitely does not feel great, because it makes you not really want to share your identity with people.
"Even in today's climate, it's hard to really fully share who you are with people, for fear of that reaction."
