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Bradbury-Sullivan announces 'First Saturdays' featuring game, movies and more

The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Center
Courtesy
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Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
The entrance to the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The staff at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center have wanted to work on weekends for a while.

  • The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center just announced its first 'First Saturdays' program ever.
  • It'll kick off the program this Saturday, Jan. 7.
  • It will have a Queer Story Hour, free STI testing, assistance enrolling in medical care, a game group and a movie night

Now in 2023, they finally can. But it's not to catch up on work.

"In regards to our youth and family programming, the weeknights aren't always that accessible for families," said Braden Hudak, a communications associate at the center.

"We're really excited that we're able to start off the New Year with something in place."
Braden Hudak, a communications associate at the-Sullivan LGBT Community Center

"We're really excited that we're able to start off the New Year with something in place."

The center just announced its first 'First Saturdays' program ever. It'll kick off this Saturday, Jan. 7.

It's an exciting time for the organization, which recently ended its partnership with Project Silk. Now, it's rolling out direct programming for the first time.

"We're expanding and sort of creating our own identity," said Hudak.

Its hope is to expand its reach to families unable to drop by during weekday hours.

The day will begin with a Queer Story Hour for youth and their families, which is hosted through a partnership with PBS 39 and Lehigh Valley Reads.

LehighValleyNews.com is part of Lehigh Valley Public Media, which includes PBS 39 and Lehigh Valley Reads, through a partnership with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

"It's really adorable," said Hudak. "The families, lay out yoga mats, and the kids all gather around, and then the queer individual reads the inclusive book."

This week, Chloe Cole-Wilson will be reading “The Rainbow Fish” from 10-11:30 a.m.

It will also provide free STI testing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as part of a new partnership with Novu Medical services. And they have help available for those who need to enroll in health coverage from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For those who enjoy board games, the Gayme group meets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last but not least, it will finish up the day at 3 p.m. with it's first-ever Queer movie night, where they'll play "To Be Takei!” There will be a discussion after.

Hudak's favorite part of the work the center does is "how grateful the parents were to have the opportunity here in the Lehigh Valley to be able to provide their children," he said, "with this inclusive experience."