Downtown WB erupts with colors of Pride

WILKES-BARRE — Loki Bagg, 25, stood amidst an explosion of color at the corner of South Main Street with a trans pride flag tied around his shoulders, waiting for Sunday’s parade to begin.

All around him were people decked out in rainbows — from shirts and hats to socks and even face paint.

“It’s nice to be surrounded by people who understand and want to celebrate Pride,” he said.

Though he lives in Scranton, Bagg made the 20-minute drive to downtown Wilkes-Barre to participate in the Rainbow Alliance’s third annual Pride Parade and 18th annual Pridefest that took place in and around Public Square and featured plenty of food, vendors and performances by local drag queens.

“Coming here makes me feel like I’m not alone,” Bagg explained. “It’s about knowing there are so many other people just like you.”

That feeling of inclusivity and joy was universal Sunday afternoon as the local queer community came together with allies, local officials and community leaders in celebration of Pride Month.

Inspired by the Stone Wall Uprising of 1969, a watershed moment in the gay rights movement, Pride Month serves to recognize the LGBTQ+ individuals and activists who paved the way for gay liberation all those years ago as well as the ongoing fight for equality.

Shouts of “Happy Pride!” erupted from parade goers, with many ecstatic to see their favorite drag performers among those in the lineup, as the parade made its way down South Main Street.

The oppressive heat wave from last week seemed to ease up ever so slightly, with the sun hidden behind hazy, overcast skies and a warm breeze blowing through the air.

The Rainbow Alliance offered free bottles of water to keep everyone hydrated, and there was also a misting station available.

This year’s grand marshal was Jacob Kelley, who appeared as their drag persona Trixy Valentine, wearing a cotton candy colored wig and rainbow colored gladiator costume, complete with a sword and shield.

Other participants in the parade included local theater groups KISS and Phoenix Pac, organizations like the NEPA Pride Project, Queer NEPA and many more.

Following the parade, hundreds flooded Public Square, where over 90 vendors and organizations, including the NEPA Youth Congress, NEPA Youth Shelter, dozens of crafters and food trucks, were set up.

Crafter Nicole Torre, of the Poconos, returned to Pridefest for the third year with her new business The Gilded Prose, an online book store and gift shop.

“I love going to Pride. The vibe is so friendly and everybody is so sweet and I’ve gotten a million book recommendations already so I’ve been adding to my list,” she gushed.

Along with handmade crafts such as stickers and bookmarks, Torre also sells romance books that focus specifically on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors, as well as other underrepresented groups.

Torre hopes to one day open a physical location for her store so that she can create a community space for readers to find stories that represent them.

“If you go to a regular bookstore, the only time you’ll see a queer display is in June. But that’s what I want to do all year. I want to help people find books about themselves so they can feel connected to the stories,” Torre said.

Before the entertainment portion of the afterparty began, several individuals and organizations took to the stage on Public Square to offer words of inspiration and hope and speak about resources available to the LGBTQ+ community in NEPA.

Representatives for the Wright Center spoke about the organization’s services for those with HIV or those at risk for HIV, while Justin Correll of the NEPA Pride Project talked about his organization’s work with funding theater youth groups.

State Rep. Maureen Madden talked passionately about the Fairness Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. She urged those in the audience to reach out to their senators and ask them to pass the act, as it has sat idle in the state senate for over a year.

Other speakers included Northeast Regional Director for Gov. Josh Shapiro, Drew Popish; Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs Ashleigh Strange; City Administrator Charlie McCormick; and more.

Kelley spoke as well. A popular drag personality and prominent member of the LGBTQ+ community in NEPA, Kelley also received the 2023 NEPA Pride Champion of the Year Award.

Kelley spoke about the importance of remembering that Pride Month, originated out of anger that those in the queer community were not being treated with the respect, dignity and acceptance that they deserved.

“Pride Parade started as marches. Marching to the streets, marching to where people can be seen and heard because we’re here, we’re queer and they have to know,” Kelley said.

They ended their speech by telling everyone what they believe the true meaning of pride is.

“Pride is not stationary. It is not a date; it’s not a month. It’s not a flag color; it is not a wig and a sword. It is who we are and who we’re born to be.”