The Wilma Theater, William Way LGBT Community, Philadelphia Fight and More Team Up to Provide Community Spaces for #PHILLY4PULSE

On June 14, 2016, owners and representatives from some of the Philadelphia's most popular LGBTQ bars and clubs along with the William Way Community Center, announced a huge historic fundraiser, PHILLY4PULSE, to support victims of the recent attacks at Orlando's Pulse Nightclub. The community is producing a one night massive event for the victims and families of Pulse Nightclub on July 21, 2016. The William Way LGBT Community Center has released additional details about their portion of PHILLY4PULSE, as well as additional community partners.

PHILLY4PULSE will officially kickoff at 5 pm on July 21 with an special curated performance entitled Queer Riot!!! Queer Riot!!! is a benefit that brings together queer artists, activists and community members to sing, shout, scream and dance. Taking place in The Wilma Theater lobby and stage from 5pm to 7pm, Queer Riot!!! will be a precursor to PHILLY4PULSE. Attendees will be able to interact with politically-charged craft tables and enjoy food catered by the Community Supported Kitchen. The event will include performances by The Bearded Ladies and Emily Bate of Going Down Mount Moriah, with more performances to be announced closer to the date.

At 7pm the performers will lead a march around the Gayborhood to the participating PHILLY4PULSE bars, ending at The William Way LGBT Community Center, which will host an intergenerational, community-wide event. Serving as a central hub and a pass-through point for PHILLY4PULSE, the William Way LGBT Community Center will be open to the public, offering a variety of attractions, entertainment options and fundraisers.

"In the face of divisiveness, this is a space for community and unity," said William Way Center Executive Director Chris Bartlett. The Center will not charge admission to any events but will collect donations at the door and through a raffle throughout the evening. Additionally, the Center is serving as the fiscal agent of PHILLY4PULSE and will be presenting a check for all monies collected at the Gayborhood-wide event to a representative from Equality Florida.

As a non-bar alternative and unifying space, the Center will host a dance party DJ'd by Nikki Lopez, photography donated by Holly Clark Photography, a community altar/prayer space, and pop up performances throughout the evening.

The event is being supported through generous material and financial donations from AdMark360, W.B. Mason, and ThompsonStudio, with more to come. Over a dozen local non-profits have come together to plan the event, a first for the Gayborhood. Included on the planning committee are representatives from The William Way LGBT Community Center, Philadelphia FIGHT, PhillyCAM, Galaei, Mazzoni Center, The Attic, IBA, Philadelphia Black Pride, COLOURS, ActionWellness, Men of All Colors Together (MACT), The Wilma Theater, Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, Equality Forum, Gran Varones, OutMuslim, SUPER|object and Bearded Ladies Cabaret.

PHILLY4PULSE also includes special themed evenings and performances at 12 local bars. Starting at 7pm that evening, guest bartenders from City and State government, including Mayor Jim Kenney, State Representative Brian Sims, Philadelphia's Director of LGBT Affairs Nellie Fitzpatrick, Rue Landau, Councilman Mark Squilla, Councilwoman Helen Gym, Congressman Bob Brady, Captain Jack Ryan of the 6th District, Senator Larry Farnese, and Officers from GOAL, will serve customers, embrace the community, and assist in raising funds (more guest bartenders will be announced at a later date). Beginning at 9 pm, every venue will host a special programmed event with a suggested donation at the door for the Orlando victims.

All DJs, performers, and support personnel have come together and donated their time, skills, efforts, and talent to this cause. Bars will have burlesque, drag, Latin themed dance parties, karaoke, and poker. Special t-shirts commemorating the event will be for sale at every venue throughout the neighborhood.

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