Permit controversy sinks planned Pittsburgh Pride festival move to Point State Park

Controversy is flaring over this year’s Pittsburgh Pride festival after event organizers claimed that state officials prevented them from holding the annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community at Point State Park in the Golden Triangle.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which runs the park, countered that there were problems with the group’s permit application.

Pittsburgh Pride had announced in January intentions to host the annual celebration at Point State Park.

On Tuesday evening, however, organizers wrote on social media that they were forced to change plans “in response to unforeseen circumstances.”

“The decision to relocate follows the unexpected denial of access to Point State Park,” Pittsburgh Pride’s Facebook post reads. “Despite this setback, the Pittsburgh Pride Planning Group remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the values of unity and equality that define the Pride movement.”

The state on Wednesday provided a different version of events.

“The department attempted to work with the organizers of Pittsburgh Pride to help them apply for the proper permitting, but at this time, Pittsburgh Pride has not submitted a completed application,” spokesman Wesley Robinson said in a written statement. “The department has made multiple attempts to contact event organizers, but they have not been responsive.”

Robinson said that the state did not initially receive any permit application before organizers announced their intention to host the celebration at Point State Park.

There were other issues with the incomplete application, said Robinson, who would not provide specifics. He also said that organizers did not work with park staff to remedy those problems.

Robinson said that the department supports Pride being held at the park.

“If the organizers are interested in using the park in the future, we hope to work with them well in advance to make that happen,” Robinson said.

Dena Stanley, co-founder of the Pittsburgh Pride Group, wrote in the social media post that the group faced the permit issues “with a heavy heart.”

“However, we are excited to return to Allegheny Commons Park West, a venue that has long embraced our community and provided a vibrant backdrop for our celebrations,” she wrote. “We are fully committed to preserving the celebratory spirit and inclusive atmosphere that Pittsburgh Pride is known for.”

Neither Stanley nor other Pride representatives could immediately be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

The celebrations are scheduled to start May 31 at Allegheny Commons Park West. There will be a march and festival on June 1, followed by a closing block party in the city’s Bloomfield neighborhood the following day.

An annual Juneteenth celebration is moving ahead after outlining security plans for their event at Point State Park, Robinson said.

That event sparked controversy last year when organizers accused the state of trying to “sabotage” their celebration and fireworks display amid security issues at the event.

The state requires private event organizers to provide their own security. Event organizers resisted doing so last year but ultimately complied, and the festival went forward at the park.

The Pittsburgh Black Music Festival was scrapped after organizers couldn’t secure permits for Point State Park, William B. Marshall, who was leading the event, said.

A letter to Marshall from state officials explained that the event — which was to be held July 10-14 — could not take place at the park because the city has reserved the site for Independence Day celebrations July 1-7.

The state has a policy that there must be a five-day recovery period for the site between events. The policy is meant to ensure that workers have time to clean the park and prevent the park from being overused or damaged.

Marshall said the scheduling issues were “very disappointing” and he was not able to hold the event elsewhere.

Reporting by TribLive reporter Shaylah Brown contributed to this story.