BETHEL — For Leonard Meek, living is all about having fun. Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, part of what he’s known for in Bethel, is about promoting “safe, queer fun,” especially to young people. 

Meek has been having fun his entire life, and he has never felt uncomfortable being gay. Growing up in New York City during the 1960s and 70s, Meek said he always had access to LGBTQ+ resources that people in the Upper Valley often do not, such as: LGBTQ+ community centers, as well as larger gay pride celebrations and organizations with helpful, more accessible information and support.

“I had all of the tools in New York City, I didn’t have to find anything, I just had to go to it… In that sense, I felt really blessed that I had a community,” Meek said. “I'd like that (atmosphere) to transition to places like this.”

Together with one of the owners of Main Street’s Babes Bar, Meek is helping organize the town’s second annual Pride Fest. His main motivation is to give youth in the Upper Valley the space to “grow up as queer as they want!”

“If you give them the space, and the security, and the safety, they just bloom,” Meek said. 

Despite all his activity in the Bethel community, Meek moved to the town with his husband, Thomas, to indulge in the quieter side of life. The two met while Meek was finishing up his career as a dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. 

When he’s not preparing for Bethel’s Pride festivities, Meek self-publishes queer fiction novels. He is just about to finish his second book.

His first book, an autobiography, is called “Little Lenny from Harlem, Dancing into Me,” was succeeded by his historical fiction novel, “Sweet Gum,” set in the deep South in the 1800s. 

“I never really thought I’d be a writer, but I enjoy it,” Meek said. “It’s more than a hobby; it’s a love.”

When his second novel — tentatively titled “Ileana’s War” — is published, it will be read as a part of Bethel’s Equity and Inclusion Council’s (EIC) book club. The novel focuses on a biracial girl, Ileana, living in Germany during World War II.  

His involvement in Bethel’s EIC is another way Meek is promoting inclusion in his community. More information about the council can be found on its website, at bethelequity.com. 

Each year, Meek plans at least one Pride event catered to a younger audience and makes as many of the events as possible open to people of all ages. 

This year, he’s very excited for “Family Picnic,” an event with food donated from local schools and grilled by local firefighters. The meeting will be held at the Arnold Block in Bethel on Saturday, June 24 at noon, and is geared toward families with younger LGBTQ+ members. 

Cooperation is a big part of what being proud means to Meek. 

“Nobody wants to be tolerated,” he said. “Accept and let them be.”

With local businesses, schools, and community members taking part in this year’s Pride Fest, the Upper Valley is getting closer to becoming the mixing pot of identities and acceptance that Meek hopes to see. 

“That’s how we really become proud of who we are, you know, by showing it and by sharing it,” he said.

Meek and his husband will be found at most of Bethel’s Pride Fest events this year, which run from Thursday, June 22 to Saturday, June 26. Thomas will even be reprising his career as a D.J. at the post-Drag Show Dance Party on Saturday, June 26. 

“If you want to be a part of this, come on and join us,” he said.

More information regarding Bethel Pride events, times, and locations can be found at bethelequity.com, or on Instagram at @bethelpridefest. 

Kaeli Bennett can be reached at kaelibennett34@gmail.com.