Penn State Health celebrates LGBT Pride Month by lighting Crescent

In honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine will light the iconic Crescent in rainbow colors from June 24-27.

The tribute celebrates the beginning of LGBTQ activism as a result of the 1969 Stonewall riots when patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York City, staged an uprising to resist police harassment and persecution of LGBTQ people. The uprising sparked a movement to outlaw discrimination against LGBT Americans.

Michelle Dech, executive director of the LGBT Center of Greater Reading, said Pride Month is a celebration of hope and justice.

“It’s about hope that one day everyone will be able to live authentically and true to themselves without fear of discrimination, bigotry or hatred,” she said. “It’s about all of us being able to do the typical things that most people do every day without thought, judgment or ridicule.”

Lynette Chappell-Williams, vice president and chief diversity officer of Penn State Health, said it is important to recognize events that advance a commitment to inclusion and respect.

“Penn State Health is committed to its value of respect for all employees and patients, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. Pride Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made in advancing the rights of our LGBTQ community, while recognizing the work that still needs to be done,” Chappell-Williams said.

“Through our Inclusion Academy, we provide employees with skills to be more culturally responsive in addressing the health care needs of our LGBTQ+ patients, and through our Sexual and Gender Minority Advisory Council, we continue to identify opportunities to provide quality health care for this community.”

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