Originally published by our friends at Mt. Lebanon Magazine.
Asta Kill uses an analogy to explain her role in creating Lebo Pride. “I see myself more as a spark, and the fire that took from the spark, just took a hold of so many other people,” said Kill. “People were already ready for it. They just needed the final spark.”
Kill is the recipient of the 2025 Community Service Award, presented annually by the Civic Engagement Board (CEB) to a resident who embodies the spirit of giving and has made a significant contribution to Mt. Lebanon.
“To know that others see value in what you do — that you’re not just imagining this and it’s actually helping people — that’s a really nice confirmation,” said Kill.
Kill, Lexi Byrom and Stephanie Fedro-Byrom founded Lebo Pride in 2022. Its mission is to bring queer and gender diverse education and visibility to Mt. Lebanon through celebration.
Lebo Pride’s biggest undertaking is the annual Pride Celebration in June. The first event was held in Clearview Common in 2022, and since then has expanded to
Mt. Lebanon Park. The daylong event is a family-friendly community celebration with musical performances, resource booths from local organizations, food, activities, drag queen story time and a clothing swap. The theme for the 2025 Pride was Queer Bear, a take on the iconic Care Bear, to represent the resilience and creativity of the LGBTQ+ community during times of adversity.
“What made Asta’s nomination stand out was the effort she has taken to make the Lebo Pride event a family-friendly event that is welcoming to the entire community,” explained CEB member Tim Clougherty. “The reputation of Lebo Pride has grown to where people come from as far as West Virginia to participate.”
Lebo Pride is active year-round, not just in June. Volunteers designed ally yard signs, which Kill said are available to residents at any time. They’re free, or you could provide a donation in return. The sign shows your home is a safe space and welcomes LGBTQ+ neighbors in the Mt. Lebanon community. The nonprofit also provides a scholarship to a graduating high school senior that’s made a positive impact on the local queer community.
“I feel like I’m just doing my job to help the community,” she said. “It starts with you. No effort is too small.”
Kill wants Lebo Pride to be intersectional and uplift other local groups. Lebo Pride served as a fiscal sponsor for the Mt. Lebanon Juneteenth Celebration, which needed an established nonprofit to help them receive donations. Kill said she wanted to pass along the favor, as the Mt. Lebanon Partnership had done for Lebo Pride, before it became an official nonprofit.
“She is passionate about inclusion of all stripes, and is a true role model,” wrote Lisa Steinfeld, Arden Road, in her nomination letter. “Living her life as a proud transgender woman, she wants to ensure that Mt. Lebanon continues to be welcoming and inclusive for all LGBTQ+ folks.”
Kill also served on a special task force in 2020 created by the Mt. Lebanon School District to assess diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and curriculum. The group met every three weeks to provide input, and many of the members remain friends to this day. “I felt very privileged to meet so many leaders in the community,” said Kill.
When she’s not volunteering, Kill is the legal director for a technology and cybersecurity company and parent to a young child. Kids remain the motivating force behind her strong community service.
“No award can replace the smile on the face of one of these kids. When you see these smiles, they’re worth more than anything in the whole world.”
