What Pride Means to Me

Eddie Moran

Mayor of Reading (He/Him)

Mayor Eddie Moran and his administration are taking action to improve inclusivity and to celebrate diversity in the City of Reading. Since being elected in 2019, he has worked tirelessly to create a safer, more inclusive, and better city for everyone.

Leading by Example

One of Mayor Moran’s first acts in office was to reactivate the city’s Diversity Board, and although COVID-19 hindered the group’s progress in 2020, he is confident that its impacts will be felt soon. “My hope is that they will be making some significant recommendations for policies that will enhance the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ community and all the individuals in our city,” he says.

But Moran and his administration have not been sitting idle. “I am continuing to advocate for more inclusivity, diversity and acceptance. I work alongside many organizations like the LGBT Center, Reading Pride and The One Love Project and support different endeavors in public, from community clean-ups to pride festivals. I continue to unite every community member by becoming an ally and showing love and compassion. I too dream of the day where no person ever needs to come out again; they can just live.”

In addition to his community involvement, Mayor Moran implemented mandatory diversity training for the Reading Police Department in coordination with the NAACP of Reading, Abilities in Motion and the LGBT Center. He also actively advocated at the state level for the Equality Act. And his efforts are paying off. In December 2020, Reading received a score of 91/100 in the Annual Municipality Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign – the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ equality in municipal laws, policies and services. “To me, it’s an honor to lead by example and to be recognized for the inclusivity, unity and safety of the LGBTQ+ community members right here in our city,” he says.

"I want to make sure we celebrate inclusivity, diversity and empowerment. I want to build a community where people love one another.”

What Does Pride Mean to You?

“As a straight man and a leader of this city, pride means many things to me. I have been exposed to the community through family members of my own who have had some challenges, who have not been comfortable, who have not felt welcome. There’s a long history of struggles and challenges for the LGBT community, and to me it’s a reminder that there’s so much more that needs to be done and that needs to change.”

The City of Reading already has ordinances in place extending protections to the LGBTQ+ community in business, credit and housing that prohibit discrimination and the dangerous practice of conversion therapy on LBGTQ+ minors. Mayor Moran and his administration are working to take these initiatives a step further by creating a safe place for voices to be heard. “My hope is that one day more people will speak up and be more open about their sexual preferences without being targeted. I hope more individuals will join those whose voices are already being heard and help them speak more loudly. I know I’m in it. I want to make sure we celebrate inclusivity, diversity and empowerment. I want to build a community where people love one another.” 

Where to Find Spicy Foods, Drinks & More in Berks

COMPILED BY NIKKI M. MURRY & ROBYN L. JONES

Like life a little spicy? Berks is no stranger to fun food finds with a kick. Want to give them a taste? Check out this handy list. Winging It

Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar Restaurant

332 Penn St., Reading 610.376.8500 |peanutbar.com If you love hot wings, there may be no better place to satisfy your appetite than Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar Restaurant in downtown Reading. The buffalo-style hot wings have earned honors including Top 10 Chicken Wings by USA Today, 6th best wings in the USA by thedailymeal.com and New York Daily, as well as local accolades including being name Best Wings in Berks County Living’s Best of Berks awards as well as winning the same category in the Reading Eagle’s Reader’s Choice Awards. Note: Monday and Thursday Nights feature 95 Cent Wing Night.

Fun fact: Voted top 10 Chicken Wings by USA Today

The Liberty Ale House

1501 Lancaster Avenue, Shillington 610.375.7895 |thelibertyalehouse.com Want to kick things up a notch? Head to The Liberty Ale House for their XXX Hot Wings. The name says it all. If you’re bringing a friend that’s not big on spice, the Shillington spot’s big, crispy wings are available in 11 flavors.

Brewer’s Bar & Grill

101. S. 3rd Avenue, West Reading 610.375.8760 |brewersbarandgrill.com Have a death wish when it comes to trying spicy foods? A trip to Brewer’s Bar & Grill in West Reading may reveal your perfect match when it comes to wings: the Death Sauce. The spicy house-made sauce features a secret blend of fresh habanero peppers and assorted spices. You’ve been warned.

Straight to the Source

When you think hot, you think peppers. Head to these local spots to satisfy your craving.

Tlacuani Mexican Restaurant

5005 Kutztown Rd., Temple 610.921.3037 tlacuanimexicanrestaurant.com Tlacuani Mexican Restaurant in Temple serves up a delicious spicy dish called the Relleno Burrito. It’s a stuffed poblano pepper with Monterrey Jack Cheese, rice and beans wrapped in a flour tortilla and topped with red or green sauce. If you want to ramp up the spice, choose the green sauce. Once roasted, a relleno brings out a spicy flavor.

Russo Gourmet Foods Market

1150 Bern Rd., Wyomissing 610.898.1918 russofoodmarket.com Want to enjoy some spicy peppers at home? Visit Russo Gourmet Foods Market in Wyomissing and pick up their Tutto Calabria Crushed Calabrian Chili Peppers. The line from Italy specializes in HOT. More than 20 items in store feature the famous hot chili Calabrian pepper, including oils, sauce mixes, relish spreads and balsamic glaze, to name a few.

Fun fact: Food Network celebrity chef Bobby Flay is a big fan of the line.

Cocktails with a Twist

Try something new by adding some spice to your adult beverage. Here are some standouts locally…

Broken Chair Brewery

424 Penn Avenue, West Reading brokenchairbrewery.com Spicy beer? You can grab one at Broken Chair Brewery in West Reading. Just order their Hot Pants Habanero IPA, an American IPA brewed with a signature blend of hops for an optimum balance of bitterness and flavor. They’ve added habanero and jalapeno peppers to the secondary, resulting in an evident, but not overwhelming, pepper flavor and a refreshing, subtle warmth on the way down.

Pilsudski

Shillington Farmers Market 10 S. Summit Avenue, Shillington pilsudskimustard.com If you’re a Bloody Mary fan, grab the new Spicy Bloody Mary Mix from Pilsudski. It's gluten-free, with orange habaneros, tomatoes, horseradish and spices. Just shake well, prepare as desired, and enjoy! Available on the Pilsudski website, as well as at their stand in the Shillington Farmers Market.

Cheers American Bistro

701 Penn St., Reading (in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading) 484.577.8633

Mix up your own spicy cocktail at home courtesy of this Fire Roasted Jalapeno Mango-rita recipe from Cheers American Bistro in Reading.

Fire Roasted Jalapeno Mango-rita

Ingredients: • 2 ounces House-made Jalapeno-infused Tequila • 2 fresh jalapenos • 1.5 ounces sour mix • 1 ounce Triple Sec • 1 ounce Mango Nectar (store bought) • Cajun-spiced salted rim

Tools Needed: • Margarita Glass • Mixing Glass • Shaker and Strainer

For garnish: Char the outside of a whole fresh jalapeno on a stove or with a torch. For Cajun spice rim, use a mixture of store-bought Cajun spice and kosher salt.

For infused tequila, cut one fresh jalapeno in half and insert both halves with seeds into a 750ml bottle of vodka and let sit for 48 hours.

Directions:In a mixing glass, muddle one half of a fresh jalapeno that has been charred on a stove or with a torch. Fill mixing glass with ice and add infused tequila, Triple Sec, sour mix and mango nectar and shake vigorously. Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of a margarita glass and dip the rim in the Cajun salt mixture. Fill the margarita glass with ice and strain the cocktail from the mixing glass over the ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and whole charred jalapeno. Enjoy!