October was national LGBTQ+ History Month– a valuable opportunity to celebrate, recognize and remember the many important contributions made by LGBTQ+ individuals in history.From founding nonprofit organizations and organizing demonstrations, to creating art and fostering a vibrant nightlife in the Gayborhood, LGBTQ+ people have always played a role in our city’s culture and community.
Here are a few of the ways our city and our office celebrated this important month.
LGBTQ Exhibition
The City’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy presented LGBTQ+ History of Philadelphia, an exhibition presented in cooperation with the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs. With artifacts dating as far back as the 1960s, the exhibition provided valuable snapshots of Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community throughout the years.
The exhibit will be on display through December 7th, with rotating content in recognition of the Transgender Week of Awareness (November 13-17) and Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20), and World AIDS Day (December 1), highlighting some of Philadelphia’s past and present organizations that have helped to support people living with HIV and AIDS.
Out In Love: LGBTQ Wedding
In honor of National Coming Out Day, on October 11th, LGBTQ couples had the opportunity to have their wedding ceremony or renew their vows in celebration National Coming Out Day in the presence of friends, family, and community members. Mayor Jim Kenney delivered remarks and esteemed LGBTQ judges officiated this historic ceremony. View all the pictures from this amazing event!
Trans March
Organized by members of Philly’s Trans, Non-binary and Gender Non-conforming communities and accomplices, the Philly Trans March is committed to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone. Many joined in to remember our loved ones and community members who have transitioned to ancestor; stand in solidarity and resistance against the hate, social injustice and inequality faced by Trans, Non-binary and Gender Non-conforming individuals; and honor our resilience as community.
OUTFest
In 1990, Philadelphia became the first city in the United States to have an annual National Coming Out Day event, originally called the “National Coming Out Day Block Party”. OutFest quickly grew into the iconic event it is today – now in its 28th year – it has become the largest National Coming Out Day event in the world.
Flag Raising
In recognition of LGBTQ History Month, The Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs raised the More Color, More Pride Flag outside the Municipal Services Building and Thomas Paine Plaza on October 11th, during National Coming Out Day.
Rally for Trans Existence and Resistance
In response to a memo from the Trump Administration proposing changes to the legal definition of sex under Title IX, we mobilized in Love Park to insist that bigotry and discrimination will never be tolerated in the City of Philadelphia. On October 23, we stood shoulder to shoulder with our transgender, non-binary, and gender non conforming siblings against discrimination, harassment, and violence. Say no the memo!
We will not be erased!
We will not be silenced!
Expungement Clinic
The Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs, in partnership with State Senator Anthony H. Williams and State Representative Joanna McClinton, the Defender Association, and Community Legal Services presented an Expungement and Sealing Clinic at the Myers Recreation Center on Wednesday, October 17th. The clinic provided support to individuals who wished to remove any charges from their criminal record that did not result in conviction.
William Way Domestic Violence Event
The Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs and the Philadelphia Office of Domestic Violence Strategies presented a panel presentation on domestic/intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community at the William Way Community Center.
