Sean Morris, an 18-year-old freshman at Temple University, did not have a Youth Pride celebration to attend when he was younger.
“It might’ve helped me come to terms with who I was a little bit easier and maybe I would’ve been able to do more if I was introduced to more of [the LGBTQ community] in the beginning,” Morris said.
Now, all LGBTQ youth in Philadelphia have a way to celebrate their pride.
On Aug. 6, Mazzoni Center hosted Youth Pride at Palumbo Playground for LGBTQ individuals ages 13-24. The second-annual event featured a carnival theme and spoken-word performances from young performers.
“I think it’s important for youth to have their own kind of event because they deserve to be able to celebrate who they are and they shouldn’t have to wait several years in order to do so,” said Morris, who was on the Student Leadership Board that helped organize Youth Pride.
Morris also noted how this event could benefit LGBTQ youth.
“It allows for community building at a younger age,” he said. “It creates positive reinforcement for their identity in who they are. It’s a great way to build unity and build strength in a younger generation and they can continue that unity and strength as they grow older.”
Tasha Wirth, the Ally Safe Schools Coordinator at Mazzoni Center, said she sees a benefit in having a separate space for young folks that is removed from alcohol and older adults.
“For young people as well as for sober people in the city, there aren’t a lot of opportunities for building community outside of the bars in Philadelphia,” Wirth said. “It’s really important to us to recognize that there’s a need for a space for young people to be able to hang out and not have to worry about people trying to aggress them or approach them.”
Youth Pride has changed since the first event in 2015 when Mazzoni Center collaborated with Philly Pride Presents. The event began with a series of workshops at William Way LGBT Community Center and concluded with games, activities and other festivities. This year, in lieu of the workshops, Youth Pride consisted solely of the carnival theme with Mazzoni Center as sole coordinator.
For future Youth Pride events, organizers hope even more changes go into effect. In addition to seeing an increase in attendance, Morris said he would like to see young people become better activists in their community, while having fun.
“[Youth Pride] showed a testament to what youth can do when they put their minds to it, especially in a community that has been marginalized by so many people,” he said.
Wirth took notice of the hot weather during Youth Pride and said the Student Leadership Board is taking this into consideration when planning next year’s event.
“As far as moving forward, we’re going to try to do it later in September next year [when it is] a little bit cooler but still comfortable to be outside,” she said.
LGBTQ youth will see how Youth Pride evolves when the Mazzoni Center hosts its third-annual event in 2017.
Jeremy Rodriguez, 25, is a freelance writer and blogger from Eastampton, N.J. Since graduating from Rowan University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, he has had work featured in several newspapers and entertainment blogs.