PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — This week on Visions, we are celebrating Pride Month.<\/p>\n
The Gayborhood has a new Philly Pride Visitor Center that is equal parts queer-centric gift shop, tourism hub and center for LGBTQ+ history.<\/p>\n
The center is a partnership between the Philadelphia Gay News, Visit Philly, The Philadelphia Independence Visitor Center and Visit PA.<\/p>\n
The gift shop carries pride-themed hats, t-shirts, buttons, and socks, along with magnets and key chains that mark progress in the movement, modeled on the historical markers around the city. All of the items are made by local queer artists.<\/p>\n
The pop-up space fills a void left by the closure of the nearby William Way LGBT Community Center.<\/p>\n
William Way is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and, while the building is shut down, the center is taking its programming to the community with a new art exhibition at Huddle 215 in Northern Liberties.<\/p>\n
For “This Is (Not) a Celebration: Queer Resistance 1976\/2026,” three artists drew inspiration from the center’s archives, centered on its founding in the year of the bicentennial. It runs through July 3.<\/p>\n
The exhibition is part of the larger Radical Americana project, which asks artists what the Declaration of Independence means to them today, and then challenges them to think about ways to make the world a better, more inclusive place.<\/p>\n
Philly Pride Visitor Center<\/a><\/p>\n 1139 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106<\/p>\n William Way LGBT Community Center<\/a> | Facebook<\/a> | Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n “This Is (Not) a Celebration: Queer Resistance 1976\/2026” <\/a><\/p>\n Huddle 215, 338 Brown Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19123<\/p>\n The Independence Business Alliance serves as the Chamber of Commerce for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies across the Philadelphia region.<\/p>\n Zach Wilcha has been the CEO for the last decade and has seen incredible growth in its network of participants.<\/p>\n The IBA represents more than 300 members across 11 counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.<\/p>\n The mission behind the non-profit organization is to advocate, educate and connect.<\/p>\n The group gathers monthly for networking events. IBA hosts gatherings where business owners can learn about marketing, budgeting and other business-related topics.<\/p>\n The organization also educates larger corporations on how to retain LGBTQ+ workers and create a safer work environment for all employees.<\/p>\n Independence Business Alliance<\/a> | Facebook <\/a>| Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Jacen Bowman is a leader in the LGBTQ+ community with a colorful background and a passion for purpose.<\/p>\n For 25 years, the Philadelphia native was a competitor on the ‘ballroom’ scene where he gained Hall of Fame status.<\/p>\n He also was a professional makeup artist for decades, and his services were utilized during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016.<\/p>\n His lifelong desire for community engagement led him to build a simultaneous career as an activist.<\/p>\n Today he is the President of Philadelphia Black Pride, and a director of digital strategy for the Human Rights Campaign.<\/p>\n Jacen recently became the first person to be awarded twice with a Philadelphia Gay News Stonewall Award, in recognition of his place on the forefront of advocacy for the community over so many years.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Black Pride<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Philadelphia Voices of Pride has been entertaining audiences for two decades with an impressive song catalog and a notable list of venues where it has performed.<\/p>\n The group has nearly 150 members representing the diversity and strength of the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n Over 20 years the group has grown into one of the area’s top choirs thanks to the leadership of artistic director Daniel Schwartz.<\/p>\n The professional musician who is a member of Grammy-winning group The Crossing and the well-known sextet Variant 6, Daniel has found a passion directing the PVOP.<\/p>\n The group sings an array of music from pop hits to classical. They have performed at Citizens Bank Park, Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center.<\/p>\n Each performance serves as a celebration for the group after months of rehearsals.<\/p>\n Each year they perform a Pride concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra at Marian Anderson Hall with other LGBTQ+ choirs. This year’s performance is June 30, 2026.<\/p>\n The group represents the entire LGBTQ+ community along with allies.<\/p>\n All are welcome but there is an audition process to join the group. This year’s auditions will be in August.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Voices of Pride<\/a> | Facebook <\/a>| Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Folk singer-songwriter Brittany Ann Tranbaugh creates music rooted in love, identity, and Philadelphia. Her latest single, “Wissahickon”, reflects her relationship with her girlfriend and captures the joy of embracing new experiences together.<\/p>\n After stepping away from music to pursue school and a career as a paralegal, Tranbaugh rediscovered her passion during the pandemic.<\/p>\n Her song “Kiss You” went on to win the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, launching her career.<\/p>\n She’s now a full-time independent artist and performs over 100 shows a year, and recently crowdfunded her upcoming album, “Lucky Broke Girl.”<\/p>\n With its release set for late August, Tranbaugh continues to connect with audiences through honest storytelling and a love for her craft.<\/p>\n Brittany Ann Tranbaugh<\/a> | Facebook <\/a>| Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n The very first Philly Pride Arts Festival is underway, highlighting queer artistry through a collective of arts organizations.<\/p>\n Affectionately named ‘Pride AF’, the festival is presented by five Philadelphia-based arts organizations: Cross Keys Theater Collective, The East Passyunk Opera Project (ePOP), Liberty City Arts (LCA), Prismatic Arts Ensemble, and Wear Yellow Proudly.<\/p>\n The festival runs throughout Pride Month at various locations across Philadelphia, and features performances, concerts, cabaret, outdoor events and community engagement activities.<\/p>\n Philly Pride Arts Festival<\/a> | Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n