Indiana Borough Council has approved a third annual Pride Festival for June 14, 2025, at IRMC Park. The approval was secured in a 6-2 vote after two council meetings packed with public speakers and controversy surrounding the event. The decision marks a milestone, as the festival will no longer require annual council approval due to borough rules, cementing its status as a recurring event in the community. Indiana Borough is 60 miles East of Pittsburgh.
The council meetings drew standing-room-only crowds of over 50 people, with 23 speakers addressing the Pride festival. Fourteen speakers supported the event, while nine opposed it, many of whom were residents of neighboring White Township. Supporters highlighted the festival’s importance in fostering inclusivity and celebrating LGBTQ identities, with borough resident Ivy Cole remarking, “If someone doesn’t like a pride festival, they can ignore it.”
Critics, many of whom were not borough residents, raised concerns about drag performances and questioned whether the festival was family-friendly. Councilwoman Jessica Frick, one of the two dissenting votes, expressed discomfort with drag shows, echoing concerns voiced by some opponents. Despite these objections, Council Vice President Kaycee Newell and President Luke DeBuyser emphasized that no arrests or citations had occurred at previous Pride events, underscoring their confidence in the festival’s orderly and welcoming atmosphere.
The public comments weren’t without hostility. Several speakers opposing Pride cited religious beliefs, with one claiming, “You either believe in the Bible or you don’t.” Online petitions against the festival reportedly garnered hundreds of signatures but were removed due to rampant hate speech.
The council approved the Pride festival in a 6-2 vote with Councilors Jessica Frick and Tamara Collazzo voting against. Frick cited objections to drag shows, while Collazzo claimed she had been misled about activities at previous festivals.
“We are so very happy,” the Pride Alliance of Indiana PA said in a statement after the meeting. “Tonight the Indiana boro approved the Festival with a 6-2 vote!! Thank you to the community, to the boro members, and AutHaus for teaming up with us these past 1,095 days and making this possible. We have made history and here is to the future.”
With this approval, Pride organizers will not need to seek council permission for future festivals, streamlining the process and ensuring the event’s continuation in Indiana Borough. The decision is a significant win for LGBTQ residents and allies, solidifying the festival as a cornerstone of the community’s cultural calendar.
Despite dissent, the vote signals the council’s commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring LGBTQ representation in public life. The Pride 2025 Festival will return stronger than ever, serving as both a celebration and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality.
