OutFest turns 25, parties big
Nations largest Coming Out Day Celebration is family-friendly LGBT party in the Gayborhood
The first time Chuck Volz went to OutFest, he pushed his baby in a baby carriage. Volz's baby is now 23. Volz himself went from passer-through to senior-most volunteer and adviser to the event, the nation's largest National Coming Out Day festival, slated to celebrate its 25th year this Sunday.
OutFest began in 1990 as a block party outside longtime LGBT bookstore Giovanni's Room. About 1,000 people attended. A few years on, Volz and fellow organizer Franny Price moved the fair north to 13th and Locust streets. This weekend, OutFest will span 10 city blocks, include 146 groups and attract 40,000 people.
"It's a very eclectic crowd," Volz said. "You have parents with children. You've got every race involved."
Like June's Pride Parade, OutFest is celebratory. There will be an under-21 dance party at 12th and Spruce streets, a climbing wall and riding bull, and a family zone with a moon bounce. The main stage at 13th and Locust streets will host honorees who've positively impacted the community - Mayor Nutter will receive the OutProud Friend award. Philadelphia Gay News publisher Mark Segal will debut his new memoir, And Then I Danced. A coupla dead-ringers for Donna Summer and Rod Stewart will sing. There will be drag performances. There will be mini golf, and, outside U Bar, a mini circus.
On the street, the libation du jour is always "Ab Fab" lemonade - peach Absolut in pink lemonade - sold from four bars throughout the pedestrian-only zone.
Still, the event's not fancy.
"It really tends to be a beer drinking day," said Volz.
Amid the parties is a mission. "For our youth groups, [National Coming Out Day] is more serious," he said, "There's a high suicide rate for gay youth. There's a high homeless rate." This year's honorees include a transgender teen from The Attic Youth Center. Advocacy groups, including longtime Catholic LGBT-rights organization Dignity Philadelphia, will answer questions and pass out information.
"It all looks festive," said Volz, "And you don't want it to be a heavy event. You want people to come and feel comfortable and get the resources they need to get the help they need."
OutFest, 11th to Juniper Street, Walnut to Spruce Street,
noon-6 p.m., free,
215-875-9288, phillypride.org.
" @LaMcCutch
