ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center announced Sunday that it will no longer offer Pennie Navigation Services following a statewide change in contractors — a development that has resulted in program cuts and staff layoffs at the Allentown-based nonprofit.
The center lost its contract with Pennie, Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace, after a new provider was selected for the region during a recent competitive bidding process. The contract loss also means the end of the funding that supported Bradbury-Sullivan’s navigation services, which helped community members enroll in health coverage and access care.
“This is more than just a loss of programming — it’s a loss that affects our staff and the community members who counted on us for care, connection, and trusted support,” said Executive Director Krista Brown-Ly in a statement.
The funding cut has forced the center to reduce its workforce, which Brown-Ly called an “incredibly difficult” decision.
“These staff are queer and trans people who showed up every day to serve our community with compassion and skill,” she said. “Their absence will be deeply felt.”
Brown-Ly emphasized that Bradbury-Sullivan remains committed to health equity and reducing barriers to care. The center will continue to provide referrals, community programs, and support services, though it will no longer be a Pennie navigator site.
Community members in need of health insurance assistance are now being directed to the Pennie website or to call 1-844-844-8040.
The change, Brown-Ly said, reflects a larger national trend in which LGBTQ+ organizations are increasingly vulnerable to unpredictable shifts in government funding.
“Queer and trans organizations across the country are facing unreliable and shifting government funding streams, often with little notice and lasting impact,” she said. “These cuts disproportionately affect the people who rely on us most.”
In response, the center is calling on supporters to invest in its mission. That includes donations to the center’s Promise 2025 campaign, corporate sponsorships for Lehigh Valley Pride and other events, and commitments to long-term, unrestricted funding.
“In the face of uncertainty, we find strength in solidarity,” Brown-Ly said. “Let’s show what’s possible when our community comes together to support LGBTQ+ lives and leadership.”
