At The Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, we are committed to building a supportive and enriching community abundant in opportunities for LGBTQQIA+ individuals and those with a stake in creating a more inclusive Lancaster County.
A Concrete Rose merges a bookstore, micro-winery and live entertainment venue under one roof; a book bar but so much more! The bookstore will feature books and art created by authors and artists of the African diaspora providing the community with the opportunity to learn about different cultures through the immersion of literature and art.
Evita and Solise aim to provide the community with a place to freely express themselves and showcase their work on a regular basis. The inclusion of wine intersects a sophisticated experience with a casual experience giving our space an unpretentious vibe for all to enjoy.
Get tickets now for STARDUST RHAPSODY to see Evita & Solise presented with our Aurora award; awarded to artists or storytellers who illuminate the experiences of our LGBTQIA+ community!
Kearasten Jordan (they/them) is a Black and Queer Artist and Activist from Lancaster Pa. They enjoy art, music and being a problem.
Get tickets now for STARDUST RHAPSODY to see Kearasten presented with our Incandescent Protostar award; awarded to an ascending star with a bright future in LGBTQIA+ advocacy!
Naiymah Sanchez (she/her) joined the ACLU-PA in January 2017 as the trans justice coordinator. She is a proud woman of transgender experience and previously worked as the coordinator of the Trans-Health information project for five years providing education and advocacy services for transgender individuals in Philadelphia.
Naiymah has worked to help the Philadelphia prison system become more PREA (Prison Rape elimination act) compliant since 2015. Part of Naiymah’s initiative is to build coalitions to better serve transgender individuals and the injustice they face.
Corinne Goodwin (She/They) is the Executive Director and founder of Eastern PA Trans Equity Project which has a mission of empowering transgender individuals throughout a 26-County area of Eastern Pennsylvania.
An award-winning community leader and in-demand speaker, Corinne actively works on issues impacting the lives of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians ranging from legislative action to advocating for safe housing and food access alongside organizations such as Keystone Equality, the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, the United Way, the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, and more.
After a career as a senior executive in the retail and telecommunications sectors, Corinne now works as a self-employed business consultant.
A parent to one son who works in New York’s theater industry, she lives in Orefield PA with her wife Debbie, a grumpy cat named April, and a model railroad that takes up way too much space in her basement.
Get tickets now for STARDUST RHAPSODY to see Corinne & Naiymah presented with our Legendary Supernova award; awarded to unstoppable forces with a long and luminous history of dedication to LGBTQIA+ causes!
Dorrin Gingerich is a 34-year-old artist who lives with Dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions and spasms. He was diagnosed with Dystonia in his senior year of high school, after noticing that his right arm would clench and curl whenever he held something. Over the years, his condition worsened and spread to his neck, back, and tongue, forcing him to quit his full-time job.
Dorrin faced many challenges and struggles as he tried to cope with his condition. He felt depressed, isolated, and hopeless. He wondered what his purpose in life was and how he could contribute to society. He also faced discrimination and stigma from others who did not understand his condition or his identity as a gay man.
However, Dorrin did not give up, though he wanted to. He found meaning and joy in expressing himself through art. He started with comic book collages and then experimented with painting discovering his signature crisscross technique. He realized he could create beautiful images by filling in pixel-like squares with different colors and shades. He also found that this technique helped him overcome the difficulties of painting with a curled arm, as he did not have to worry about being precise or accurate. He feels that his style added character and texture to his paintings.
Dorrin draws inspiration from the world and enjoys seeing how others interpret his expressions. He believes that his Christian faith and coming out of the closet have helped him heal and accept himself. He also credits his recovery to getting plenty of rest, working out with a trainer, and getting Botox injections. While stress is still a trigger for his Dystonia, he has regained more control over his body and his life.
He has overcome many obstacles and challenges to pursue his passion and purpose. He hopes he can become an inspiration to others, especially those who are LGBTQ+, disabled, or people of faith. Eventually, he wants to write a memoir with a ghostwriter one day. He currently lives near Lancaster, PA, and will be moving to Macon GA in September.
You can learn more about Dorrin and see some of his paintings on his website and socials:
Pride Poetry is an all-ages poetry open-mic community event featuring BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists. Join Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition and Lancaster Changemakers on June 15th for an evening of poetry with 3 featured poets, including Poet Laureate of Lancaster Evita Colon!
Pictured: Participants at a Pride Poetry event earlier this month
Keep an eye out on our blog and socials for more information closer to the event date! Find more resources and see how you can get involved at the Lancaster Changemakers Website!
Great news! The Parents Of Trans Kids Group at Bradbury-Sullivan is holding their next session on April 5th, and it’ll be a great opportunity for parents to learn more about supporting transgender children in today’s world. If you haven’t already registered your interest with the Bradbury-Sullivan team, please fill out their intake form as soon as possible! The meeting will take place via Zoom at 6pm on April 5th and is open to all parents who have a child or children going through this transition.
This week, the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools resolution was introduced; a call to demand equal educational opportunity, basic civil rights protections, and freedom from erasure for all students, including LGBTQI+ young people in K-12 schools. The National Education Association, American School Counselor Association, and National Association of School Psychologists join GLSEN in supporting this resolution. Learn more at GLSEN’s website!
If you’re planning on attending Zenkaikon, Lancaster’s premiere anime/sci-fi convention, be sure to stop by the Coalition’s table! We’ll be hanging out with cool cosplayers at the LGBTQ+ Couples and Ships cosplay meet in the Independence Room from 1-2:30, so swing by for some swag and pics!
This year’s theme is STARDUST RHAPSODY. Come dressed in your galactic best! Calling all dashing space rogues and laser sword lesbians; this year’s outfit concept/motif is GLAM GALACTIC! Keep an eye on our Insta for outfit and theme inspiration leading up to the event!Michelle Johnsen will be on-site assisting with photography all night long. Our featured DJ will be MAJOR VIBES.
Awards Ceremony ticket holders will join our Galactic MC Chi Chi Mizrahi at 6PM on a journey through the stars, honoring changemakers in the Lancaster community. At 7PM, dinner will be provided (and we will reach out to ticket holders to receive your meal choice). We’ll open the evening with an awards ceremony honoring local community trailblazers, then feast and sip on the night’s signature cocktail; DIMENSIONAL SPACE DISTURBANCE. Explore new nebulas at our dance party, where we’ll inspire the future of Queer community and found family! After 10:30PM, everyone’s invited to our cosmic jamboree in The Imperial restaurant, featuring a live mix by DJ Stygian!
Masks are highly recommended for this in-person event.
PHOTOSENSITIVITY NOTICE: While the awards ceremony will not feature flashing lights, the dance party may include flashing lights. If you have photosensitive conditions, please keep this in mind.
COVID-19 POLICY: Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition values every life in our community and desires to continue to protect the lives of those who are immune-compromised or otherwise at high risk for COVID-19.
We are asking all attendees to show proof of vaccination or negative Covid test from within 72 hours before the event
Please wear masks indoors unless you are actively eating or drinking
We look forward to seeing and celebrating with you!
