Who We Are
Lancaster Pride was founded in 2007 to celebrate the lives of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. One year later, in 2008, Lancaster’s first Pride Festival was held at Buchanan Park in Lancaster, hosting around 200 attendees! Since then, Lancaster Pride has planned and hosted yearly festivals and other affirming events to celebrate the community. From humble beginnings with 200 attendees at the first event, to over 8,000 visitors, volunteers, vendors, and performers at the most recent. As the need for support within our community has grown, Lancaster Pride has grown with it and will continue to march forward with progress.
Moving forward, Lancaster Pride strives to create a diverse board of volunteers to ensure everyone in the community is heard and included. Without our founders and their momentous strides in taking the first steps to support the Lancaster LGBTQIA+ community, we would not be able to do the impactful items we do today.
Our Mission
Lancaster Pride is more than a festival, Lancaster Pride C.A.R.E.S! We strive to be a leader by being a resource for the LGBTQIA+ Community within Lancaster County while creating and supporting events that occur. Lancaster Pride is built on a foundation of celebrating the strides that the LGBTQIA+ Community has made in Lancaster County towards equality, visibility, and acceptance. This foundation allows us to continue to progress towards obtaining these items and advocating for these goals within the Lancaster County LGBTQIA+ Community.
Our Pillars
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Community
Community is a foundational pillar to Lancaster Pride fostering stability, support, understanding common values & goals, a sense of belonging and relationships that last a lifetime. This is what Lancaster Pride is, a shining light and a beacon of belonging.
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Advocacy
Advocacy can take many forms. For Lancaster Pride, we are here to stand in defense of this community. Supporting, collaborating, and pursuing the communities interests and needs. Pride started as a movement against inequality, and we are here to be the unwavering force to continue working towards equality.
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Resources
Resources are a crucial part of our community. Knowing what is available to assist at any time during any situation. Lancaster Pride is a hub for these resources. Sharing what is available, empowering each other, and collaborating with local organizations to fill in the gaps.
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Education
Education is a core of change. We at Lancaster Pride know how much education in and on our community is important. Knowledge is what causes understanding and Lancaster Pride strives to educate those so we can reach a level of mutual respect and understanding.
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Safe Spaces
Safe spaces have been the heart of Lancaster Pride since our inception. We are here to create, maintain, and support safe spaces for the community. Whether they are in person or virtual; these spaces are for everyone and a way to allow the freedom of true self expression, respect, and acceptance.
Our Values
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Accepting each other
Being receptive and open minded to new ideas, identities, and beliefs without dismissing them based on preconceived notions or unconscious bias. Accepting those for who they are and who we are as a community while continuously striving to be better.
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Leading the community
Leaders are modeled and shaped by the community they come from. Their dedication and guidance during good and tough times is how we evaluate them. They are the beacon of light for the community to look towards.
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Celebrating moments
Life is filled with all types of moments. They are fleeting and as we experience one we roll into the next. Celebrating moments is taking that space to breathe and embrace those moments of our lives.
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Embracing inclusivity
Our backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are the building blocks of who we are as individuals. Embracing inclusivity is embracing others in their entirety and defending them against others who mean to reduce them.
