“I’ve always enjoyed hospitality. I’ve enjoyed taking care of people and making them feel warm and making them feel comfortable. And that’s always been my true passion,” said Mark Jerde, who owns Manayunk Chambers Guest House — a bed and breakfast.
The B&B was built in 1877 as a parsonage and previously hosted baptisms, weddings and family gatherings.
“I have guests come who say as soon as they walk in, they feel as if they’re being embraced by the house,” Jerde said. “And to me, that just warms my heart because that’s exactly what I want to have my guests feel — and to feel comfort, and to feel love, and to feel joy when they come to visit.”
Jerde has infused that same excitement for welcoming others into community-wide efforts that aim to help LGBTQ+ people and allies feel comfortable and supported in Manayunk too. Five years ago, he worked with the Manayunk Development Corporation to launch Out & About in MNYK — an LGBTQ+ centered festival, which is returning Oct. 4-6 this year.
Jerde, who is gay and grew up in Northeast Philly, trekked into the Gayborhood to find community and role models as a young person.
“I had to go some place where I knew that there were other queer people around,” he said, noting that he doesn’t want others to feel that’s the only place to go for support and affirmation today.
Jerde moved to Manayunk in 1999 and said the neighborhood had an artsy vibe. But his husband, who grew up there, didn’t always feel comfortable being “out” to his family, friends and neighbors. The couple were the first on their block to fly a Pride flag, but Jerde later learned many of his neighbors were LGBTQ+ people and allies.
“Pride flags beget Pride flags,” he said.
“Gay people are just as American as apple pie, you know? We’re here. We’ve always been here,” he added, noting that he proposed Out & About as a way to enhance LGBTQ+ visibility. “It was about bringing gay people to the forefront and showing that this is a safe place to come out and be out and enjoy life.”
That visibility is what brought Caitlin Marsilii, who is a gay woman, to Manayunk.
“When I walk down Main St., it’s not just that it’s feeling inclusive and accepting — but it’s a place that I feel like the queer community can thrive,” said Marsilii, who is now the events coordinator for Manayunk Development Corporation. “We really want that to be a fundamental part of the neighborhood — a place for the queer community and allies to thrive.”
Today’s Manayunk has a variety of openly LGBTQ+ businesses, professionals and hangouts — including creatives, wellness practitioners, venues and eateries, and more. Marsilii said the upcoming festival showcases these different aspects of the community at locations across the neighborhood — and most of the events are free. Some of the ticketed events share proceeds with LGBTQ+ focused organizations.
“It’s the type of event I wish I could have attended as a kid,” she said, highlighting that the event intentionally creates a family-friendly atmosphere.
Rather than compete with countless Pride events, the October festival bolsters LGBTQ+ community during a time when there are fewer opportunities to connect and also allows attendees to celebrate both LGBTQ+ History Month and National Coming Out Day.
Philly Drag Mafia will kick off the weekend with drag bingo on Friday, Oct. 4. Early risers can wake up on Saturday morning with a 9 a.m. spin class featuring drag icon VinChelle or participate in a three-mile community run. Kids will have fun at an interactive drag storytime — an event that has gotten so popular that organizers needed to develop a stroller parking system with a hired attendant.
Philadelphia Freedom Band — an LGBTQ+ marching band — will open Saturday’s outdoor festival up and down Main St. with favorites by Lady Gaga, Elton John and other musicians at 1 p.m. Just an hour later, an outdoor drag show hosted by Philly Drag Mafia will take place on Gay St.
Gay St.’s name is ironic — referring to a specific person in history rather than the queer community. But from June through October, rainbow-colored umbrellas dance above the roadway in a featured art installation.
More than 15 LGBTQ+ and allied vendors will participate in what Marsilii dubbed a “queerated” (a play on “curated”) artisan market featuring handmade goods and artwork. Local resource providers — including the Attic Youth Center, PFLAG Philadelphia, J.Proud and other youth-focused organizations — will also table at the event.
The night will culminate with a shadowcast double feature of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Attendees will also have a chance to wind down from the weekend’s festivities with a restful yoga flow on Sunday evening.
The event is truly a labor of love for Jerde — who personally footed the bill for the festival during COVID to keep it going. He’s focused on creating more opportunities to increase visibility.
Jerde dreams of painting rainbow stripes on the downtown streets or attaching rainbow signage to Gay St. (where his B&B sits). He also wants Manayunk to host its own local Pride parade.
“I do believe in the future, that’s something we will be able to make happen,” he said. “Even if it’s just one hour — to have the band go up and down the street, perhaps a drag queen parade. That’s what I have my sights on.”
Out & About in MNYK will feature a variety of events to take place on Oct. 4-6. To learn more about the free festival or purchase access to the ticketed events, visit manayunk.com/events/out-and-about-in-mnyk.html.