LBGQTIA+ Rally In West Chester Attracts Overflowing Crowd

WEST CHESTER, PA — An overflowing crowd packed the Chester County History Center Saturday, rallying for rights for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Volunteers and advocates quickly organized the OutFest rally followed by a march in the wake of the cancellation of the originally planned OutFest street festival due to hate messages sent to the borough council.

Several hundred men and women from all walks of life listened intently to an array of public officials, religious leaders and others speak in support of equality for all.

Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste said there is a need to continue to fight for equality.

“West Chester is defined by loving people,” the mayor said. “Our council people are here today in support. We are in a fight for our rights, and that means we have to stand up and be counted.”

Eddy Foster, OutFest organizer, shared the motivation for organizing the rally.

“There are people who do not want this day to happen, but our community has a long history of overcoming adversity," he said. "Today is no exception.”

The room was decorated with pride flags donated by Haley Yanson and business decorations by Laura Kaplan.

Bridgette Barbera Byrne, an organizer of the original event, provided a message to youth and young adults.

“Keep being you, keep being unique,” she said “Find your tribe of people who are going to accept you, support you, challenge you, protect you, and stand up for you when you cannot find the words.”

Emily Arnold, of the West Chester Alliance for Social Justice, called on the community to speak out against hate.

“When we stay silent, we’re allowing that space for hate to exist,” she said. “Even if it gets uncomfortable, I’ll continue to speak up. That’s why a group of us came together to create the West Chester Alliance for Social Justice. Let’s create a West Chester where we can take back the space when hate creeps in.”

After the rally concluded, the crowd joined with those waiting outside for a march through downtown West Chester.

The march proceeded along Gay Street to New Street. The march continued up Market Street, past the Chester County Justice Center, and ended at the Split Rail Tavern on Walnut Street.

Split Rail hosted a party including drag performances by Roxanne Rohls and Ophelia Bawdy.

The proceeds from the event will be donated to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit whose mission is to end suicide amoung lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender, queer and questioning people.