LBGQTIA+ Rally In West Chester Moved Indoors

WEST CHESTER, PA — Local leaders and advocates have been working behind the scenes to plan a rally in support of the LGBTQIA+ community in the wake of the cancellation of the originally planned OutFest street festival.

The rally is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chester County History Center, 225 N. High St.

The location was changed due to the forecast of rain due to Tropical Storm Ian.

The event will include a rally with notable speakers, a brief march, and a party at Split Rail Tavern on Walnut Street in West Chester.

The public is invited to attend.

Here are the speakers scheduled to speak:

• Eddy Foster, OutFest organizer
• Lillian DeBaptiste, mayor of West Chester
• Josh Maxwell, Chester County commissioner
• Rev. Sophia Foutres & Rev. Dr. Tracy Saletta, Cornerstone Christian Fellowship
• Daryl Durnell, West Chester Area school board member
• Emily Arnold, West Chester Alliance for Social Justice
• Chris Pielli, Chester County Recorder of Deeds
• Sibil Mae Greiner
• Rev. Dan Schatz, Unitarian Church of West Chester
• Bridgette Barbera-Byrne
• Joshua Young, Caln Township commissioner
• Fanci Dismount, Miss Chester County Pride
• Carrie Stare, President, LGBT Alliance of Chesco

After the indoor rally, participants will march through West Chester.

The route of the walk will be determined based on weather conditions after the rally.

The event will conclude at Split Rail Tavern on Walnut Street with a party.

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