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For six months, Philadelphia’s Pride Visitor Center welcomed thousands of people to Locust Street in the Gayborhood. Now, one of the few LGBTQ+ Visitor Centers in the country hopes to keep its doors open into the fall and new year.
The Pride Visitor Center has only received funding for a year. With the high volume of visitors and popularity throughout the summer, Councilmember Rue Landau and operators of the center are optimistic about finding funding to make this center a long-time staple.
For now, the visitors center is working to continue engagement and collaboration with businesses and other advocates throughout the city.
“Romance Rival” was the center’s unique celebration this past weekend, a part of their “Out and About on Friday” event series. This celebration was a vow renewal ceremony to honor National Romance Awareness Day.
Landau, the city’s first openly LGBTQ+ city councilmember, offered opening remarks to commence the ceremony. “It is really a reminder for us what it means to play a part in queer history, even a small part.” Landau said.
The visitor center itself serves as a small history lesson, with the walls decorated with information about Philly’s fight in gender and equality. Philadelphia hosted the nation’s first LGBTQ+ sit-in in 1963 as well as 1965’s “Annual Reminder” protest in front of Independence Hall. Landau’s opening ceremony remarks mentioned how especially remarkable for a city to have a resource like the visitor center, that allows individuals to feel safe and celebrate. “This is unique, traveling from other places it is not always safe to just be in our relationships.” Landau said.
Dave Jack and Arturo Lara were a couple that signed up to renew their vows. The couple met in Philadelphia on Camac Street in 1996. The couple has been in Philadelphia together since 2001 and have been married for 11 years. “It is important to show people we are just two people in love.” Lara said. The couple celebrated their marriage as well as their love for Philadelphia and embraced being a part of history. “We couldn’t have chosen a finer city to be in.” Jack said.
Laura Burkhardt, the partnership consultant for the Philly Pride Center, has worked on bridging relationships with different organizations — from student groups to gay straight alliances developed within businesses throughout Philadelphia.“I’m confident people will be excited and want us to be here.” Burkhardt said.
Partnerships have supported the center not only through exposure, but also connections throughout the community. Knock Restaurant and Bar and Cake Life were able to help make the “Romance Revival” a party favoured event with treats to offer the public.
“We create history every day [in Philadelphia]. I am going to say it is a part of the city’s fabric and blood at this point.” said Kristopher Lawrence, Philly Pride Visitor Center’s Supervisor. Lawrence believes this center is an important midpoint for Philadelphia’s queer community, allies, and visitors alike.
Lawrence is especially passionate about creating opportunities for people to come together, build community, create art and expand the center’s mission.
“People are really appreciative of something where they know they are welcome. Not everyone is comfortable putting themselves out there,” said Lawrence. “But they know when they see the words ‘visitor center ‘ that this is a place they’re welcome at throughout all stages of their journey.”
