Campus Life

Penn State Lehigh Valley promotes acceptance with Pride Week Celebration

'You Are Beautiful' celebration included performances by Vanity Unfair and Lehigh Valley Gay Men’s Chorus

The Lehigh Valley Gay Men's Chorus performed at the Pride Week celebration held in the Ronald K. De Long Gallery at the Lehigh Valley campus. Credit: Emily Collins / Penn StateCreative Commons

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Penn State Lehigh Valley celebrated Pride Week with the “You Are Beautiful” celebration. The Pride Week celebration’s goal was to expose students to local LGBT talent and resources. The main event of the week-long celebration included an interactive display of art, music and performance on March 23 in the Ronald K. De Long Gallery. It featured Will Hubscher’s art exhibit, “You Are Beautiful: Monotypes,” as well as performances by local drag queen Vanity Unfair and the Lehigh Valley Gay Men’s Chorus.

Local drag queen Vanity Unfair performed at the Pride Week Celebration held in the Ronald K. De Long Gallery at the Lehigh Valley campus. Credit: Emily Collins / Penn StateCreative Commons

Liz Bradbury, director of the Training Institute at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, gave students information on the center’s resources and upcoming events. Featured gallery artist Will Hubscher also was in attendance to introduce his art, share his story and answer questions from students, faculty and staff.

Kelley Schlie, Penn State Lehigh Valley’s LGBTQ coordinator, organized this event to provide a fun, interactive way to educate students and to offer resources.

“Penn State Lehigh Valley continues to support University Park’s 'All In' initiative. We promote inclusiveness, diversity and acceptance. We are hoping to get a student Ally group up and going again soon,” said Schlie.

Schlie encourages students to get involved in upcoming events and groups. If you would like to get involved or learn more about Penn State’s LGBT events and resources, contact Schlie at kas787@psu.edu.

Hubscher’s exhibit, “You Are Beautiful: Monotypes,” will be on display in Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Community Gallery through June 9. A reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 6. The exhibition is organized in partnership with the Fine Art Galleries at the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.

The 'You are Beautiful' Pride Week Celebration featured performances by drag artist Vanity Unfair and the Lehigh Valley Gay Men's Chorus. Artist Will Hübscher also stopped by to chat about his artwork, which is now on display in the Penn State Lehigh Valley Community Gallery until June 9, 2017. Credit: Penn State Lehigh Valley Multimedia Innovation Center

“All In at Penn State” is an ongoing University-wide initiative that brings students, faculty and staff together to show their commitment to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment — respectful of everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, abilities, background, veteran’s status and political beliefs.

Last Updated April 6, 2017