Queer NEPA hosts LGBTQ Pride Series events across Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area throughout June
From a press release:
Local LGBTQ+ activists Queer NEPA have announced a full month of events in June for the organization’s second annual Pride Series celebrating queer resilience and identity.
Coinciding once again with national LGBT Pride Month, this year also marks the historic 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising of 1969, which was a major catalyst for the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States.
From Friday, May 31 through Monday, June 17 from noon-5 p.m., Queer NEPA and the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science, and Art (1901 Mulberry St., Scranton) are co-hosting “Queer & Here.” This LGBTQ+ art exhibit will feature the works of Eli Carpenter, Rebecca Henry, Nik Angel Moreno, and more. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students.
On Saturday, June 1 from 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Queer NEPA and the Osterhout Free Library (71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre) are co-hosting a “Crafternoon.” Materials will be available to create beaded pride necklaces. This art and crafts workshop will be the first in a monthly program co-hosted by the Osterhout and Queer NEPA.
On Sunday, June 9 from 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Queer NEPA and fellow activist organization Black Scranton are co-hosting “Queer Night Out: Juneteenth Edition” at Act Out Theatre (150 E. Grove St., Dunmore) in recognition of both Pride Month and Juneteenth. Headlining this variety show are percussionist Karen Smith and Wit López, professional magicianatrix and comedic burlesque performer. As a disabled and chronically ill, nonbinary trans, intersex person of African American and Boricua descent, López’s visual and performance work uses absurdity to convey and challenge how they experience the world. There’ll also be performances by acoustic soul music duo Lotus, poet Maria Reyes, comedian Angelia Petrillo, and spoken word by Black Scranton founder Glynis Johns.
On Saturday, June 15 from noon-2 p.m., the Greater Hazleton Latino Coalition, Hazleton Integration Project, Anthracite Unite, Action Together NEPA, and Queer NEPA are co-hosting “Peace Meal” at the Hazleton One Community Center (225 E. 4th St., Hazleton). This all-ages potluck will have henna by Diksha Rajiv and music by DJ Gordo of Street Takeover Radio 104.5 FM. Guests are asked to bring a labeled food dish. Following this, there’ll be an afterparty at La Casa Dominicana de Hazleton (16 N. Laurel St., Hazleton) with music and folkloric manifestations from Latin and Dominican culture.
On Thursday, June 20 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Queer NEPA and Adezzo (515 Center St., Scranton) are hosting their monthly Queer Coffee Klatch. This month, there will be an informal discussion co-facilitated by folks from Temple Hesed on the intersections of justice and identity (being Muslim, Jewish, POC, LGBTQ+, etc.).
On Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Queer NEPA, ACLU of Pennsylvania, Why Courts Matter – Pennsylvania, NEPA NOW, and Pennsylvania Youth Congress are co-hosting “Stonewall 50: Rally for Queer Liberation” at Wilkes-Barre Public Square (25 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre) to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Rally attendees are encouraged to bring signs or LGBTQ+ pride flags. An ASL interpreter from Interpretek Bloomsburg will be present.
Also on June 29 from 8 p.m.-10 p.m., Queer NEPA, NEPA Rainbow Alliance, and NEPA Red Ribbon Alliance are co-hosting a 21+ Pride Party at Heat Bar & Nightclub (71 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre) with a $5 cover benefiting Ruth’s Place, a shelter for homeless women in Wilkes-Barre. Win a $50 gift card from NOTE Fragrances by entering a raffle for $10 a ticket.
Queer NEPA’s second annual Pride Series is presented thanks to contributions from friends in the community. LGBTQ+ and allies are welcome at all events. Visit queernepa.org/pride to learn more.
