After over a year of confusion and controversy, Philadelphia will continue its celebration of Pride this summer.
A new activist organization aimed at creating a version of Philly Pride that addresses the historical significance of queer activism and identity has scheduled a march for the first week of June 2022.
The PHL Pride Collective has partnered with GALAEI, a North Philadelphia radical social justice non-profit, to revamp the city's pride events. They will be centered on issues and causes relating to QTBIPOC people across the city, according to the organization.
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PHL Pride Collective did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Organizer Lee Carson told BillyPenn that "June pride has traditionally been more of a march," adding that "It made sense that if we were going to have a parade and a march, that the march would be in June."
The GoFundMe campaign, which was posted on November 19, has a goal of $50,000 to assist the organization. It is co-hosted by the Urban Affairs Coalition, which is a non-profit organization that operates GALAEI.
The organization released a list of principles guiding their mission, which includes 18 points of unity that they say will govern their future planning of Pride events in the city.
Each point focuses on inclusion of all people, centering of marginalized groups, and a focus on harm-reduction strategies including providing resources for those with substance use disorder, as well as safe sex resources available free of charge.
Philly Pride and OutFest were both previously cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. Although a virtual OutFest was organized in 2020, there has not been a Pride event held in Philadelphia since 2019.