Getting the music going might have been the first order of business for Saturday’s National Coming Out Day rally in Bethlehem, but organizers said the long-term goal is to push politicians to protect the LGBTQ community.
Allentown recently declared itself a “safe haven” for gender-affirming health care while Easton designated itself an “affirming city” for the LGBTQ community, and organizers said they’d like to see Bethlehem pass a similar welcoming ordinance.
The recent resolutions go beyond nondiscrimination ordinances and seek to counter the Trump administration’s restrictions on gender-affirming health care and denial of transgender identities.
Federal government actions against the transgender community, along with the rise of online hate, have made it more difficult for LGBTQ advocates to turn out crowds, but the effort is worth it, organizers said.
“I think it’s more important than ever to hold public events,” said Corinne Goodwin, executive director of Eastern PA Trans Equity Project.
Spencer Snygg of Allentown listens to Corinne Goodwin, executive director of the Eastern PA Trans Equality Project, speak during National Coming Out Day on Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Julie Vitale and Spencer Snygg, both of Allentown, listen to Rev. Elizabeth Goudy, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Lehigh Valley, speak during National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
People listen to Rev. Elizabeth Goudy, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley, speak during National Coming Out Day on Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, a Democratic candidate for Congress, draws a chalk heart during National Coming Out Day on Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
People show their support during National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
People attend National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Michelle Ritter-Santana of Bethlehem listens to Corinne Goodwin, executive director off the Eastern PA Trans Equality Project, speak during National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Corinne Goodwin, executive director of the Eastern PA Trans Equality Project, speaks during National Coming Out Day on Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Cheryl Urban of Bethlehem attends National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
People listen to Corinne Goodwin, executive director of the Eastern PA Trans Equality Project, speak during National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Robin Gow, organizer for Queer and Trans Lehigh Valley, speaks during National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Karina Ritter-Santana of Bethlehem draws in chalk during National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Corinne Goodwin, executive director of the Eastern PA Trans Equality Project, shows off a flyer to Mark Pinsley during National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
People attend National Coming Out Day Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
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Spencer Snygg of Allentown listens to Corinne Goodwin, executive director of the Eastern PA Trans Equality Project, speak during National Coming Out Day on Saturday, Oct., 11, 2025, at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)
Rally attendees chalked messages like “Love is love” and “Protect trans kids” onto Payrow Plaza outside Bethlehem City Hall as passing cars honked in support.
Those audible reminders of community support show why it’s important for LGBTQ people to be visible and seek out allies, Goodwin said.
“There are a lot more good people than bad people in the world,” Goodwin said.
Saturday’s rally was part of a national day of action called “We Will Not Be Erased,” inspired by the removal of rainbow crosswalks in Orlando and other cities.
Carrying a sign reading, “You are exactly who you are supposed to be, and you are loved,” Whitehall Township resident Liz Fear joined friends in waving at passing motorists.
“It’s more imperative than ever that we are visible as humans because so many people are forgetting that fact,” Fear said.
Allentown resident Julie Vitale carried a “Joy is resistance” sign and spoke of the importance of fighting against the criminalization of LGBTQ relationships.
“They’re trying to marginalize an already marginalized community,” Vitale said.
Representatives from the Queer & Trans Lehigh Valley Mutual Aid Network were on hand Saturday to showcase ways in which community members can support each other.
Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, who is among the Democrats vying to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the race to represent Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, said supporting LGBTQ community members is part of fighting back against federal government repression.
“I’m hopeful that events like this become bigger and bigger,” Pinsley said.
About 30 people showed up to Saturday’s rally. Goodwin hopes a few dozen will join a larger rally planned Oct. 26 at the state Capitol in Harrisburg.
Looking out at the plaza’s newly colorful sidewalk, Goodwin urged rally attendees to make a plan to advocate long-term.
“We are looking for more than temporary change,” Goodwin said.
Lehigh County’s year-old expansive antidiscrimination law still has no counterpart in Northampton County, Goodwin said.
Beyond lobbying local officials to take action, Goodwin said LGBTQ advocates should make a point to vote to retain the state Supreme Court justices in elections next month.
“They’re what stands between us and the Trump administration right now,” Goodwin said.
The Rev. Elizabeth Goudy from the Metropolitan Community Church in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, also encouraged sustained political action.
“We do not want to provide a vote for anti-LGBT political candidates, we do not want to use our purchasing power at businesses that are anti-LGBT and we do not want to give our time, talent and treasure to religious organizations that are anti-LGBT,” Goudy said.
Coming out in the mid-’90s meant Goudy had to find a new religious denomination to join in order to continue her path toward becoming clergy. She said she’s witnessed many others coming out amid difficult situations and she believes it’s more dangerous to stay closeted.
“I do want to share that it’s OK for things to come apart,” Goudy said. “We will get built back together.”
Originally Published: October 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM EDT