by Rachel Hazzard
June 26, 2024
Categories: Team Members,
June is Pride Month, a celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer pride. PIDC is committed to fostering a workplace culture where diverse talent can flourish and employees, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance, feel valued, accepted, and supported to succeed at work. With a team that mirrors the city we support, we’re able to better serve the diverse businesses throughout Philadelphia. Join us as we lift up the voices of our LGBTQ+ employees and allies.
We asked our team to speak about the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia and what it does to contribute to our vibrant city:
Quynh-Mai Nguyen
she/her
Director, Creative Services
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
Hands down it would be Rice & Sambal on Passyunk. It’s a new Indonesian supper club (prix fixe menu) by Hardena chef and owner Diana Widjojo and her life partner Jen. It’s my favorite because the food is delicious, they have vegan options, and it’s an authentic way to experience and appreciate someone else’s culture. I love the way they honor their roots and traditions.
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
Philly is the city of so many “firsts.” Ever since the Stonewall demonstrations in the 1960s, we have not stopped evolving and contributing to the LGBTQ community, both locally and nationally. Several books could be and have been written on the community’s contributions! Here are a few of my favorite milestones that have had a large impact on my gay experience:
2003: Philly was the first city to launch a major marketing campaign to welcome LGBTQ tourism and led to us being listed as one of the top 10 cities to visit for Pride. One of my first jobs after art school was actually to design the logo and website for the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus.
2008: Gloria Caserez was appointed as the City’s first Director of LGBT Affairs. Under her leadership in 2013, Philly instituted the broadest LGBTQ protections in the country, which led to our being ranked the number one city in the U.S. for LGBTQ equality by the Human Rights Campaign. RIP Gloria. <3
2017: AJ Hikes, the City’s director of LGBT Affairs, and local marketing firm Tierney spearheaded an initiative to release the More Color More Pride Flag to give more representation to black and brown queers and draw attention to the issues we faced in the community. Then in 2019, the flag evolved again to include more stripes (white, light blue and pink) to represent the trans community. Many people still recognize only the six-stripe rainbow flag because it is anchored in their own experience, but I believe the evolution of Pride flags encourages all of us to keep examining who we are and what work still needs to be done.
Who is your favorite drag performer?
Icon Ebony-Fierce! She is a local black drag artist and rapper. Her performances and leadership challenge the perception of what it means to artistically express themselves in this subculture that is dominated by mostly white performers, show producers, and club owners.
Elva Bofang Jiang
she/her
Economic Development Intern
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
LGBTQ-owned businesses, community centers, and support organizations offer safe havens where LGBTQ individuals can come together, socialize, and avail themselves of various resources. These venues are pivotal in nurturing a feeling of belonging and offering assistance, particularly to those who encounter discrimination or lack acceptance in other aspects of their lives.
Who is your favorite drag performer?
Julia Cohen
she/her
Project Manager, Real Estate Services
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
The Kettle Black for focaccia and cookies, when I can get there before they sell out for the day. Darnel’s Cakes, because of their work to support people with HIV/AIDS (and for the lemon bars!).
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
Philadelphia’s queer community is an active presence at many events and groups that are focused on making the city a safer place for all people. They ensure that opportunities reach members of groups that face barriers to resources—including, but not only, members of the queer community.
Camille Simpkins
she/her
Relationship Manager
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
Mission Taqueria has amazing taco options with delightful seasonings. Oh, and the Margaritas are delicious!
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
I appreciate Philadelphia for being socially responsible and affable to my friends in the LGBTQ community. This welcomes a strong sense of pride, safety, and authenticity for my friends.
Who is your favorite drag performer?
Ilene Burak
she/her
General Counsel
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
YIKES. Many, many years ago, way before I worked at PIDC and when YIKES was first starting up, my wife and I hired them to help us with our computer. Maybe it was to help with our internet, like, back when the internet was dial up. It has been great to watch them over the years as they have adapted and grown their business. And I am so pleased that they are PIDC clients!
Who is your favorite drag performer?
I really like Carrie The One from Math Is A Drag
Luke Antonello
he/him/his
Grants Administrator
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room because not only is it the oldest gay bookstore in the United States, but it has a great selection of eclectic queer books, clothes, and memorabilia.
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community is strong and pervasive! While there is a definite Gayborhood, each part of the city has its own queer community, watering holes, and identity. Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods that has a place for all LGBTQ+ people, further strengthening what makes us great—diversity.
Who is your favorite drag performer?
Alicia Santiago
she/her
Analyst & Project Manager, Navy Yard
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
Hardena because it’s the first time I ever had Indonesian food and it is delicious, reasonably priced, BYOB, and has lots of great non-meat options! I’m a meat eater, but I like having lots of food options. I love the egg and tofu curry. The social media presence is also very personal, which I appreciate. They are a great little South Philly gem—loved by everyone in the neighborhood and beyond.
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
The LGBTQ community contributes to the vibrancy of Philly. The diversity of the LGBTQ community itself is so important to have varying perspectives and viewpoints to make this city inclusive. I’ve met so many different people who identify in different ways to the LGBTQ community and spectrum. I’m just grateful to live in a city where I can meet people from different walks of life that I can relate to and learn from. I think it makes me a better person and helps me be more inclusive, too.
Who is your favorite drag performer?
Since I’m also a fan of HGTV, my favorite drag performer recently has been Trixie Mattel because I love her renovation shows 🙂 I also love her well-documented best friendship with Katya.
Holly Alsentzer
she/her
Executive Assistant to EVP
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
They are vibrant, wonderful people that are welcoming
Who is your favorite drag performer?
Brandon Tubby
he/him
Director of Impact Analysis & Reporting
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
The Mazzoni Center. Accessing healthcare that specializes in working with queer individuals is an invaluable experience as a gay man. There is a deeper level of understanding that the Mazzoni Center provides to its patients, and I recommend Mazzoni to anyone in the community.
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
I think the LGBTQ community’s presence in Philly encourages people to have a more open mind about differences that exist across different cultures and backgrounds. By being out, there’s a level of trust and benevolence that I put onto other people. I hope that by building trust, people feel confident to share themselves more authentically, and not erase parts of themselves to conform.
Who is your favorite drag performer?
Sapphira Cristál. She’s a Philly-native and the runner-up on RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2024. She’s a true gem for the city!
Ronette Thompson
she/her
Executive Assistant
What is your favorite LGBTQ-owned or queer-friendly business in Philadelphia?
How does Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community contribute to the city’s inclusivity?
An environment where everyone feels welcome is an environment people can flourish in. That’s what I believe the LGBTQ community here strives for.
Who is your favorite drag performer?
Support LGBTQ-Owned Businesses!
Check out LGBTQ-owned PIDC clients making our neighborhood fun and inclusive places to work and live.