Delaware County hosts its’ first-ever LGBTQ Pride parade June 3 in Media, with a festival to follow June10, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.

The Delaware County Pride event follows a precedent set in Upper Darby which hosted the Upper Darby Pride Festival for two years under the auspices of UDTJ.

The 2022 Upper Darby pride parade attracted people across Delaware County and from as far away as Fort Lauderdale, Florida, so the UDTJ looked into a county-wide event.

“Having events like these allow people of like mind and like interest to meet together, form their own groups. It improves the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ youth because they know that they are loved, accepted. They feel seen,” said Kyle McIntyre, co-founder of UDTJ.

Organizers from UDTJ, which stands for Understanding, Devotion, Take Action, and Justice, conducted town halls throughout Delaware County and received clear and positive feedback that county residents would welcome a larger event.

The multi-day parade and festival will have programming and activities for people of all ages, including face painting, vendors, live music and drag performances.

Delaware County Pride coordinators hope the events will help close a gap between Philadelphia and western Delaware County.

Read more about Delaware County’s first LGBTQ parade and festival at WHYY.

Philly Cheer Elite perform at the Upper Darby Pride Festival 2022.