Brad Martin doesn’t especially like to talk about the controversy surrounding last year’s Pride Festival, but, if asked, he will.
Mostly, he stresses the positives that came about following days of publicity over butting heads with the city over a permit and the eventual cancellation of the parade.
This year, he stresses, the process couldn’t be smoother.
The festival received a permit from Harrisburg in less than a day. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Enrichment has been a dream to work with, he said. Relations with the city have never been better. In addition, the dispute brought new attention to the festival and many new volunteers.
“We’ve had no problems this year at all,” said Martin, president of the Pride Festival of Central PA board of directors. “We’re really eager for the parade, and we have a lot more people who are excited about it.”
The experience also has helped change Martin’s own thoughts on the area and the organization he now heads.
Martin, 35, considers himself lucky. He long has been accepted by his family, his co-workers and his customers at UPS Store in Palmyra. He also is in a long-term relationship with his partner, Adam, who, in turn, is supported by his family.
The stressful situation last year—which had media calling him at all times of the day and TV news crews setting up outside his workplace—solidified those relationships, he said. It also showed him that traditionally conservative central Pennsylvania had become more tolerant over the years.
“It’s slow, but it’s happening,” he said. “This area is much more accepting than it was just five years ago.”
This acceptance has led Martin to consider new paths for Pride. He would like to ally the organization with other groups, both gay and straight, and become more visible in the community—perhaps participating in other area parades and festivals.
“We want to do that, but want to feel comfortable enough and welcome enough to do that,” he said.
Martin also would like Pride to be known for other events beyond the festival, as Pride’s calendar is filled with events and fundraisers throughout the year.
The festival, though, will continue to be the highlight of the group’s year, an annual summertime celebration of diversity marked by music, dancing, joy and color.
Martin would like to expand it to a two-day event, perhaps as early as next year.
A single day is just too short, he believes, and prevents Pride from attracting some bigger names to its stage. He also would like the festival to be more like Harrisburg’s larger Riverfront Park events, such as Artsfest and Kipona.
“I want everyone to feel that they can attend our event: gay, straight, bi, transgender, whatever,” Martin said.
“I just enjoy serving the community, and this is the best way I feel that I can serve the community.”
The Pride Festival of Central PA takes place July 28 in Riverfront Park, Harrisburg. It starts with the parade down Front Street at 11a.m. The festival runs noon to 5p.m., with an $8 admission fee. For more information, including an events schedule and other PrideWeek activities, and to sponsor, donate or volunteer, visit www.centralpapridefestival.com
