Our History

In January 2015, Founding President, Rachel Stevenson, sought to revive the LGBTQA social scene that once thrived in Phoenixville, PA, from 2001 to 2009 in a little gay bar called Frank Jeffreys. Once closed, and with the need for social contentedness, the first monthly afternoon “tea dance” was held on January 11, 2015.  These “tea dances” brought together the LGBTQA community from Chester County and surrounding areas.

Within 3 months, it was apparent that these “tea dances” were more than just monthly social events. Realizing there were few services for the LGBTQA Community in Chester County, and using the energy, momentum, and support from three successful tea dances, the 501(c)3 non-profit, LGBTea Dances was born on in March 2015.

In July 2016, following continued growth and expansion, the organization changed its name to LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County. It took the role as the leading LGBTQ+ focused non-profit organization in the western Philadelphia suburbs, in areas of health, education, advocacy, outreach, and community partnership.