DV Journal

Stirring controversy, the Rainbow Room announced it will provide free rides to teenagers in Lower Bucks County.

The Rainbow Room is Planned Parenthood Keystone’s LBTQ+ youth center for Bucks County, sponsoring programs for youth ages 14 to 21. The free rides for students at Pennsbury, Truman, or Neshaminy High Schools or any youth in Lower Bucks to attend the center’s Tuesday after-school programming. Parents must give their consent.

The Lower Bucks location is in Langhorne, while the Rainbow Room also has a location in Doylestown.

Previously, state Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) obtained $630,000 in state funds to add the second location in Lower Bucks. Santarsiero said his youngest son had participated in Rainbow Room programs. The Rainbow Room made headlines when it held a queer prom where gift bags with condoms, dental dams, and lubrication were handed out to participants ages 14 to 21.

Canadian dad Chris Elston, aka “Billboard Chris,” held a protest at the Doylestown Rainbow Room in 2023 to bring attention to the issue of children with gender dysphoria undergoing treatments and surgeries that forever alter their lives. Many European countries have now restricted those treatments. And in the U.S., some of those harmed by the gender reassignment treatments are speaking out.

Emily Cowan, a Bucks County mom is concerned about the safety of kids going to the Rainbow Room.

“First of all, this is happening where I grew up, where my mom grew up. Where my children are now growing up. So, the fact that it’s close to home makes me feel obligated to fight against the agenda that is harming our children. I don’t think there should be a ‘Rainbow Room’ for anyone under the age of 18. The pride flags and gender ideology are swarming in our school districts already, and now they are encouraging it even more. They acknowledge these kids have mental health issues, but encouraging the ideology is only going to worsen mental health and raises more cause for concern.

“Also, who is paying for these programs and transportation? Is it the taxpayers? And then who is transporting them, and who is mentoring them?” she asked.

“If they know there are high rates of people in the LGBTQ+ community that have mental health issues, doesn’t that mean that most likely the people who are running it do as well? I’m sure they will have like-minded mentors, or that defeats the purpose,” said Cowan.

“I can’t believe parents are willingly sending their teenagers somewhere to talk about their sexuality with strangers. Or are they? How strict is the parental consent? We don’t know who these people are and what kind of background they have. When I checked out the website they have a ‘Chat/Text for Teens.’ They say trained educators, but who really is at the other end, and what are they really discussing? At the end of the day, all we parents want is to make sure our kids are safe, and that means mentally, too.”

Marlene Pray, the Rainbow Room director, did not respond to a request for comment.

Lower Makefield parent Tim Daly is also concerned.

“The foundational merit of what Marlene Pray is doing with The Rainbow Room to allow a place for kids with similar issues with LGBTQ is to be commended,” Daly said. “Where Pray veers off the railroad tracks is engage those of sexual consent age with those which are not, which brings into question as to where this is a group aiming to normalize pedophilia under the guise of a support group.”

Candace Cabanas, who ran for state representative, said, “My main concern is for the tax dollars spent. Does a Rainbow Room match the needs of the Lower Bucks community, and will providing free Uber rides there undermine the parents’ rights to know where their kids are going and who will be supervising them at these programs?”

Imagine entering a Victorian village with quaint cottages bursting with gifts, delicious food and drink, carolers singing Christmas songs, and amusement rides for the kids.

You’ve entered Yuletide at Devon at the iconic Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. The decorations and lights make an enchanting backdrop to wander about, sample food and drinks, and shop or ride a Ferris wheel or old-fashioned carousel.

Villanova resident Bob Bickhart, owner of event company Spectacle Reality, and his son, Jes Bickhart, a producer in Los Angeles, welcomed people at a press preview last Monday. Yuletide at Devon runs until Dec. 31.

“This is a first-of-its-kind festival,” said Jes Bickhart. “It combines food and wine. It combines rides and music. You can see a 2,000-foot stage being built now. It’s fun to bring all these elements together to celebrate the holidays, to celebrate family.”

Bob Brickhart said it was “a pleasure” to work with the Devon Horse Show people, the folks at Tredyffrin and Easttown townships, food provider Strother, and sponsors Aqua PA and Independence Blue Cross.

Bob Bickhart told DVJournal they had been thinking of bringing a German-style Christmas market, such as Saltzburg, to the suburbs for several years and looked at venues, including sites in Doylestown and Lancaster County.

But he is pleased that they were able to strike a deal to rent the Devon Horse Show grounds.

“We wanted to take advantage of it if we could make it work,” he said. “We want to be a celebration of the holiday. We’d love to be back (next year).”

Many of the 37 small shops were filled with winter sweaters, hats, gloves and mittens, such as an offering from Cranberry Street Boutique of Royerford. Others had jewelry or toys on display.

Melissa Morales brought a variety of her handmade, organic Melmo’s dog treats, cat treats, and various items, such as charming dog breed nutcrackers, that will appeal to pet owners.

Morales, of South Philadelphia, has been in business for six years. She has booths at two other Christmas venues, one in Easton and one in Bethlehem. Her products are also available at Giant stores and online.

Chris LeVine, with the Inn at Grace Winery in Glen Mills, was also on hand getting his onsite shop squared away.

“We grow it,” said LeVine. “We bottle it. We sell it. We’re pleased to be here.”

Strother Enterprises’ Legacy Culinary Group curated a festive menu for guests to enjoy while attending the holiday festival. Minority-owned and Philadelphia-based Legacy Culinary Group, led by Chef Chris Nguyen, offers Devon a gourmet farm-to-table experience. Both Yuletide and Strother are family-owned and operated.

The menu will include internationally inspired dishes like creamy mac and cheese cups topped with brisket burnt ends, currywurst and pomme frites, lemongrass chicken, grilled short ribs Bulgogi, fried chicken and waffles, prosciutto and arugula pizza, Thai noodle salad, grilled raclette on sourdough with fig jam, and banana Nutella crepes.

The food is paired with craft drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic holiday-themed beverages.

“We are excited to partner with Jes and Rob to bring this one-of-a-kind holiday festival to the region,” said Natasha Strother Lassiter, chief strategy officer of Strother Enterprises. “We’ve designed an elevated menu exclusively for Yuletide to celebrate the time-honored tradition of holiday gatherings. Guests will enjoy a festive, farm-to-table food experience where every dish will speak to our legacy of timeless, world-class cuisine.”

Tickets are $34.99 for adults and $22.99 for children 3 to 8. Children younger than 3 are free. Food, drinks, live music, pictures with Santa, and amusement rides are included.