Adrian Shanker, Executive Director of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, spoke at the Emmaus Rotary regular breakfast meeting on January 10, 2019. He was introduced by Rotarian Jim Palmquist who has partnered with him on service and educational projects.
The Bradury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is a hub for cultural, educational and supportive services specific to the people they serve. There is a fine art gallery featuring nationally known LGBT artists and LGBT-themed subjects. The center’s library holds over 2,000 books, CDs and DVDs with an archive preserving the history of the Lehigh Valley LGBT community. There is “Reel Queer Film Series”.
The Center has developed leading-edge strategies and services for the needs of the LGBT community partially, in the area of tobacco prevention as smoking is high among the population they serve. Cancer and diabetes prevention, HIV testing and flu vaccinations are also promoted.
A variety of educational and supportive services in areas like bereavement, addiction recovery and legal issues are offered. The Bradbury-Sullivan Community Center’s Training Institute is active in the Lehigh Valley.
Youth programs are held at the Center. Gay-Straight Alliances in area high schools are supported by training and resourcing the mentors. 40% of homeless youth are LGBT because of family rejection. There will be a Pride Night soon at the LV Phantoms game and the Emmaus High School Gay-Straight Alliance is hoping to raise enough ticket money for about 30 students.
PIctured here, Adrian Shanker grew up in West Chester, NY. He became active locally when he was a student at Mulhenburg because he had difficulty finding others like himself. He heads a staff of 12 employees and oversees an annual budget of $8000,000. In 2017, the doors of the center for the first full-year. They have developed award-winning programs and enjoy broad community support. The center is located at 522 W. Maple Street, Allentown.