Why We Will Be At Philly Pride

We’ve seen the conversations. We’ve heard the concerns. And we understand why many people in our communities are asking hard questions about Philly Pride this year.

But here’s why we will still be there.

Pride has never been about perfection. Pride was born out of protest, resistance, visibility, and community. It belongs to the people who show up — especially those who have historically been pushed to the margins, including disabled LGBTQ+ people, queer people of color, trans people, and those who are too often left out of public spaces entirely.

As a disability-led organization, we know what it feels like to be excluded from movements that should already understand access, equity, and belonging. We also know that walking away from community spaces entirely does not always create change. Sometimes change happens because people continue showing up, speaking up, and making sure disabled voices are present in the room, in the streets, and at the table.

As an event planner, we also understand the challenges of producing an event with integrity. We understand the struggle to remain community-driven while balancing mounting costs, safety concerns, public expectations, and growing political uncertainty. Creating large public events has become increasingly difficult in a climate where funding is unstable, scrutiny is high, and safety cannot be taken for granted. Especially ones centered on marginalized communities,  That reality does not erase the need for accountability, but it does add important context to the conversations we are having.

We will be at Philly Pride because disabled queer people deserve to be visible there too.

We understand the importance of visibility for disabled people at our own celebrations — and we're grateful for the support of LGBTQ+ groups like the Philadelphia Freedom Band.

We will be there because accessibility matters at Pride. Because disabled people are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Because many people still need spaces where they can find joy, connection, celebration, and solidarity during a time when both LGBTQ+ and disability rights are under attack nationally.

We’re providing a quieter space for our neurodivergent community members throughout the event. That space will include seating, simple activities, and floor fans for air circulation. It’s a place to pause, regulate, rest, or simply step away from the intensity of the festival when needed. We are figuring out this new space alongside the community, and with your feedback, support, and participation, we hope to continue building and improving the sensory space each year.

Access is not a finished product. It is something we learn, practice, and strengthen together.

Showing up does not mean we agree with every decision made by organizers or institutions. It means we believe community is complicated, and that accountability and participation can exist together.

We also believe Pride should continue evolving. It should continue listening. It should continue becoming more accessible, more intersectional, and more community-centered. Those conversations matter, and they should continue long after the festival ends.

At the end of the day, our presence is about our community. Disabled LGBTQ+ people belong everywhere Pride exists. And we refuse to disappear ourselves from spaces that were built through collective struggle and collective visibility.

Disability Pride Pennsylvania will continue showing up with the same message we bring to every event: access, visibility, empowerment, and community for all.

Photo by Stephanie Ramones for Visit Philadelphia