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Welcome To Pride Matters! 
Happy Spring! Welcome to the Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley newsletter. I hope that you find this quarterly newsletter informative and interesting. There are so many things happening this year in our community and this is one way that the Pride GLV board can keep you up to date. From our annual events like the Celebrity Brunch, Oscar party, Disco Bowl and - of course - Pride in the Park, to new partnerships and events with HAVEN Youth Group and FACT, this year is sure to be fun and full of excitement. So stay informed! Read our newsletter and check out our website at www.prideglv.org. Learn about our Rainbow Scholarship and our Membership Program. If you have ideas, comments and/or suggestions, feel free to contact us. In the meantime, enjoy the spring!
Sincerely,  Shawn Bausher President |
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Pride Membership Elects 2011 Board of Directors
The following community members were elected to serve a one-year term at the Pride GLV Annual Meeting, held on Thursday, January 27, 2011.
Officers
Shawn Bausher, President
Lauren Gibson, Vice-President
Carol Chadwick, Secretary
Mark Stanziola, Treasurer
Members-At-Large
Daniel Angelis
Jennifer Bentsen
Rob Hopkins
Jessie Kalavoda
Paige Keeter
Matthew Phillips
Brad Wentz
Learn more about the 2011 Board of Directors here.
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2011: New Mission, Vision and Purpose
 In October 2010, the Pride GLV Board of Directors held a workshop retreat to discuss and develop a long-term direction for the organization. Pride's achievements were positioned against the current objectives and aspirations. Through this exercise, the board determined that the most effective way to realize the long-term plan was to revise the organization's mission and vision statements. The board proceded to draft the new mission, vision and purpose statements. The revisions were supported by a majority vote at the Annual Meeting held on January 27, 2011. The intent of these new statements is to focus and align the organization's efforts while giving clarity to Pride GLV's purpose. |
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Takeover Easter Event to benefit PITP!
 Takeover Lehigh Valley will host their annual Easter event to benefit Pride in the Park 2011 on Saturday, April 23 from 8-11pm. The event for attendees 21+ will be held at American Hairlines, 74 W. Broad Street in Bethlehem. For only a $20 cover guests can expect a select martini bar, DJ's Dominic Germano and DJ Wolf, overflowing fondue fountains and tons of dippables as well as beer, wine, soft drinks and water. Proceeds raised at the event will benefit Pride in the Park. |
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Pride GLV Co-Sponsors 2011 Prizm Prom!
 HAVEN Youth Group first held the area's only Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Prom in 2004. Over the next eight years, hundreds of area teens have gathered at the annual event to celebrate their diverse uniquenesses.
The 2011 Prizm Prom "Rainbow Fantasy" will be held on May 14 from 7pm - 11pm at The Banana Factory.
The event for ages 14-20 features food, DJ, dancing. Pride GLV has joined forces with HAVEN to make this year's event happen. Pride GLV is honored to be able to share our resources towards the youth of our community at this important event. For more information about the 2011 Prizm Prom visit www.uuclvpa.org/haven.html. |
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Thanks A Brunch - Celebrity Brunch A Big Hit!
 Pride GLV and a hundred supporters joined together for the second annual Celebrity Brunch at the Holiday Inn Downtown Allentown on January 23, 2011. World-class entertainer Jason Cozmo kept the crowd roaring with his stellar impersonations of Lucille Ball, Liza Minelli, and Dolly Parton. With flawless timing and spot-on lip synch, Cozmo wowed the audience from Lucy's first "Vitameatavegamin" to Liza's last "New York, New York." The brunch event has become a winter favorite, and we look forward to hosting it again next year.
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Annual Oscar Party A Smash On The Red Carpet !
 The Annual Oscar Party was held at the Allentown Brew Works on Sunday, February 27, 2011. This year, Stephen Libby, Committee Chair, reported that the 100+ attendees raised over $3500 for Pride in the Park 2011. There was delicious food and drink, fabulous prizes, a silent auction and large screen viewing of the Academy Awards. Once again, the Allentown Brew Works did a great job hosting the event with special thanks to Jeff DeAngelis. Thank you to everyone who attended and to all those businesses who contributed to the event. Your support is most appreciated! |
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Volunteers Make All The Difference
Volunteering for Pride is more than just working hard and getting a T-Shirt. It is also about mentoring the next generation of GLBTQ youth and showing that you care not only about the community in which you live. Pride GLV volunteers also value friendship, self-respect, and a sense of accomplishment. The Pride GLV board is grateful to the many volunteers that have so generously donated their time, skills, and talents to Pride over the years. We appreciate it and look forward to your continued support. Without our volunteers, Pride GLV would not exist. Thank You Volunteers!
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Pride Benefit Performance: Vampire Lesbians of Sodom
 Pride GLV would like to pay a special thanks to the generous hearts of The MCCLV Rainbow Players under the Artistic Direction of Dean Hiatt. Proceeds from the recent Vampire Lesbians of Sodom matinee performances generously benefited The Rainbow Scholarship. Pride GLV values our important relationship with MCCLV Rainbow Players and looks forward to our next night at the theatre.
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Moving Forward Towards Equality
Many great things are happening for our community. While the nation is poised for the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the inappropriately named "Defense of Marriage Act," the Lehigh Valley is moving ahead towards a better tomorrow. The City of Allentown, where housing and employment protections for the LGBT community were added several years ago, has added domestic partnership benefits for city employees. Easton is on the path to provide similar benefits, but needs your help to make it happen. Out in Bethlehem they're killing time, but things are shaping up to offer much-needed protection for city residents and employees.
Your involvement can make these important local initiatives reality. Now is the perfect time to make a positive impact in your neighborhood, workplace, school or place of worship to ensure full equality in the future. Many of the local and statewide efforts are being led by PrideGLV's partnering groups, PDN and EqualityPA.
Local elections might not make many headlines, but the impact on our community is huge. Please become informed about the elections and VOTE on Tuesday, May 17th.
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It's All About Youth!
 Pride GLV is dedicated to bringing awareness and support to local LGBT youth, beginning with gay/straight alliances (GSAs) in high schools. The Easton Area High School GSA and the William Allen High School GSA are our first to be featured. Founded last year, the EAHS GSA has developed innovative and creative ways to increase their visibility and promote acceptance, including selling customized GSA t-shirts. They are currently planning a party for local LGBT youth and allies. The dance will be held May 21. If you are interested in contributing to their fund, volunteering your time, or simply want to buy one of their t-shirts, please contact the GSA's faculty advisor, Julia Miles. In addition, Pride GLV has partnered with the William Allen High School GSA to assist them in carrying out what faculty advisor Rachel Zane describes as "big, fun, educational events." The group has taken field trips, studied LGBT history, and conducted fundraising and awareness programs in their school to promote greater acceptance and support. They will be participating in a school-wide observance of the Day of Silence on April 15 to bring awareness to anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools. Two members of the GSA attended the Pride Board meeting on March 24 to provide a youth perspective toward Pride events. If you are an LGBT teen or represent a group or event supporting LGBT youth, please contact Lauren Gibson to potentially be featured in this column in our next newsletter. |
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COMMUNITY GIVING |  | |
The purpose of Pride's work comes full circle when we are afforded the opportunity to share our resources with our community.
The following organizations have received financial support from Pride GLV in 2011.
MCCLV
PDN
TURNING POINT OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY
HAVEN PRIZM PROM
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OUR MEMBERS HELP MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN!
With your membership and support, programs will continue to foster progress within the LGBT community of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley membership is open year round renewing annually on January 1 and is open to all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Individual $15
Domestic Partner $25
Non Profit $50
Business $100
Complete our online form
and submit secure payment via Paypal.
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