When I asked Evan Farbo, owner and creator of The Midnight Oil, about their plans for Pride Month, I received a very simple answer: “Exist.”
(They also have a booth at Saturday’s Pride celebration—don’t worry!)
It’s important to remember that while celebrating Pride Month can seem like a special occasion or an out-of-the-norm event, it actually shouldn’t be. It should be completely “normal” and accepted for all members of the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identity openly every day of the year. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
I would like to take a moment to shine a light on the businesses that make being Queer All Year possible, and The Midnight Oil is the perfect place to start.
A survey from the Williams Institute at UCLA’s School of Law conducted in 2021 found that there were approximately 416,000 LGBTQ+ adults and 74,000 LGBTQ+ youth living in Pennsylvania. These numbers have surely grown since the study was conducted, but so has the rise in crime and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. The same institution reports that transgender people are over four times more likely to be victims of violent crime than cisgender people.
No neighborhood is immune to increased crimes against their LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. This is a difficult reality to accept, especially following the recent hate crime against the Lancaster County Library earlier this year and the dissolution of the Lancaster LGBTQ Coalition.
Discrimination leads not only to more violence and crime but also to mental health issues. Social science research shows a link between stressful life events and poor health. However, when certain groups are more likely to experience hostile treatment—such as harassment, discrimination, or violence—they are more likely to suffer from physical and mental health-related issues.
LGBTQ+ people experience discrimination at institutional, structural, and personal levels. They are more likely to face issues regarding access to housing, employment, medical care, and basic human rights. This is believed to be the cause behind higher substance abuse rates within the LGBTQ+ community, but no large-scale studies have been conducted to substantiate the relationship between facing this kind of discrimination and substance abuse disorders.
The Midnight Oil strives to be a safe haven for Lancaster’s LGBTQ+ population, including most of its staff members. It is the perfect spot for those looking to discover new games, drinks, or friends while being in an environment where you are free to be yourself and find a sense of family.
For those who don’t know, Evan is also the creative power behind Farbo Co. which is adjacent to Lancaster’s Central Market. It is a wonderful space that houses a mind-boggling array of games of all sorts and products from other local artists. Both locations host a wide array of events and fun activities to check out the next time you’re downtown.
The best description of the two comes from Evan herself, “FARBO Co. had elements of the play area, at least, but when the pandemic hit I had to make the call to sacrifice most of the event space for more retail. So to say, The Midnight Oil is a return to form.
That is the key inspiration, influenced by six years of the shop running, discovering my found-family, and my own coming out as transgender. These are things I want for the queerfolx of Lancaster. The late-night aspect is equal parts “FARBO Co. After Hours” and creating a third space for those who don’t drink in Lancaster. Self medication through substance abuse is not uncommon in the queer community, so providing a non-alcoholic social setting is important to me.”
The message at the core of these two businesses is an important one: creating a space where everyone feels welcome should be the main priority every month of the year.
This speaks volumes about the kind of values every business should be based upon. Simply putting up a pride flag on June 1st isn’t enough anymore. There is a need for support both within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. The Midnight Oil is quickly becoming a pillar within the community for anyone seeking to feel like part of the family.
As we continue to advocate for equality and acceptance, businesses like The Midnight Oil set a powerful example. By fostering inclusivity and celebrating diversity year-round, they remind us all of the importance of creating safe and welcoming spaces for everyone. Let’s continue to support and uplift such efforts, ensuring that the message of Pride resonates every day, not just in June.
Find The Midnight Oil here: 44 N Christian St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Or check out their socials:
Femme Foodie - Lancaster, PA 
Leave a comment