There’s no question that this has been a tough year for LGBTQ+ people and their friends and families. The right-wing has ratcheted up their culture war, particularly against trans youth, with every day bringing more reports of fresh assaults on their safety.
However, many of those who are fighting against the right-wing — such as the PA Coalition for Trans Youth and Lititz Chooses Love — have decided that this summer should not finish solely on notes of doom and gloom. The two groups have organized an LGBTQ Family Cookout to take place on Saturday, Aug. 19 at Everhart Park in West Chester.
According to the event’s Facebook listing, the Cookout “is specifically kid-friendly and appropriate to make it a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ young people and their families.”
According to Coalition founder Daye Pope, the Cookout was devised “as an event that could spread joy and show support for LGBTQ kids and their families,” something much needed in these otherwise emotionally trying times.
In addition to traditional activities like lawn games, there will be age-appropriate drag queen story hours at regular intervals for the younger children. Also, Coalition partner Red Wine & Blue (coming off a big electoral win in the Aug. 8 election in Ohio) will be giving out free age-appropriate books from their Banned Bookmobile.
Of course, the political work never takes a day off: voter registration forms will be available, and organization members will be on hand to discuss campaigns to favorable anti-discrimination laws.
Daye Pope founded the PA Coalition for Trans Youth in 2021 specifically in response to a raft of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that was being proposed in Pennsylvania at the time. The Coalition is an offshoot of the T.A.K.E. Resource Center, with which Pope serves as Director of Civic Engagement, and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.
Pope cites her current work with State Rep. Joseph Hohenstein (D-Dist. 177) to craft legislation that would ensure the safety of LGBTQ+ youth, particularly young students. As has been reported in PGN and various other news outlets, many school districts throughout Pennsylvania are being besieged by right-wing organizations like Moms for Liberty and their allies to foster policies harmful to LGBTQ+ students, especially trans kids.
In addition to Lititz Chooses Love and Red Wine & Blue, the Coalition partners with a number of grassroots groups that have sprung up to fight the right-wing on a number of issues, such as protecting democracy, LGBTQ+ rights, and the right to read. Some of these groups include Defense of Democracy, ACT UP Philadelphia, STOP Moms for Liberty, Free Mom Hugs, PA Stand Up and ACLU-PA.
Pope hopes to arrange many future events that will show LGBTQ+ kids and their families that there is a supportive community in this state.
“Young people are suffering in Pennsylvania,” Pope said. “We have to help.”
The LGBTQ Family Cookout will be held 12-3 p.m. Aug. 19 at Everhart Park, 399 West Union St. in West Chester. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/235805882735971.