Marriage equality since Obergefell v. Hodges (26 June 2015). The Respect for Marriage Act (December 2022) provides a congressional floor, requiring federal recognition of all valid same-sex and interracial marriages regardless of future Supreme Court rulings. Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. No comprehensive federal anti-discrimination law in housing or public…
Moosic, a small borough in Lackawanna County, sits within the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metro area of Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA). Though compact and largely residential, it punches above its size for LGBTQ+ visitors: The 12 Penny Saloon, on Birney Avenue, has been the Scranton area's dedicated gay bar since 2003. Combined with an affordable cost of living and quick access to Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Moosic makes a practical base for exploring the region.
Getting There and Around
Moosic is about 5 miles southwest of downtown Scranton, reached via Interstate 81 and Birney Avenue (Route 11). Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) is roughly 10 miles away. Regional bus service is run by COLTS (the County of Lackawanna Transit System), but routes are limited for leisure travelers, so a car is essentially required for getting around and for day trips.
Neighborhoods and Character
Moosic is primarily a residential borough with a straightforward layout — single-family homes, small businesses, and the PNC Field ballpark (home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders) and Montage Mountain resort nearby. Birney Avenue is the main commercial spine. The borough's character is quiet, reflecting its working-class roots in the region's coal-and-rail past.
Nightlife and Community
Moosic's LGBTQ+ anchor is The 12 Penny Saloon (3501 Birney Avenue), open since 2003 and long billed as the Scranton area's only gay bar — a laid-back spot with a full menu early in the evening that shifts into a dance club with karaoke and drag shows on weekends. A short drive south in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Heat Bar & Night Club (69–71 N Main Street) is NEPA's premier LGBTQ+ nightclub, with drag performances, a dance floor, and themed nights. About 30 miles north in New Milford, Hillside Campgrounds is a long-running gay men's campground and clothing-optional resort set on hundreds of secluded acres. Scranton's revitalized downtown adds more general nightlife and dining within a 10–15 minute drive.
Lodging within Moosic clusters around the Montage Mountain interchange — chain hotels such as Fairfield by Marriott and TownePlace Suites — plus budget motels along Birney Avenue. Scranton and Wilkes-Barre add fuller options, from the historic Radisson Lackawanna Station to the Mohegan Pennsylvania casino resort. All are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers.
The surrounding area offers plenty outdoors. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail runs near Moosic for hiking and biking, Montage Mountain provides skiing plus a summer waterpark and amphitheater, and the Pocono Mountains and Lake Wallenpaupack lie a short drive east for water-based recreation.
Pride and Events
The region's main LGBTQ+ celebration is NEPA PrideFest, organized by the Rainbow Alliance and held each June on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre, with the PrideFest Royale Pageant at the Hilton Scranton. It draws visitors from across Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Rainbow Alliance also runs the LGBT Center of NEPA in Wilkes-Barre, the area's principal LGBTQ+ community organization.
Safety and Community
Pennsylvania and the City of Scranton extend nondiscrimination protections covering sexual orientation and gender identity, and the broader region has visible, active LGBTQ+ organizations. Moosic itself is a quiet, family-oriented community; standard travel precautions apply.
Who Should Visit
Moosic suits LGBTQ+ travelers and residents who want affordability, a quiet home base, and easy access to a compact regional gay scene plus outdoor recreation. Those seeking bigger-city nightlife can pair it with day trips to Philadelphia or New York, both within about two hours.
Practical Considerations
Book accommodations ahead given the limited in-town options, and plan on driving. Winters are cold and snowy; spring and fall bring pleasant weather for the trails and the ballpark.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Moosic is home to The 12 Penny Saloon (3501 Birney Avenue), which has been the Scranton area's dedicated gay bar since 2003, with a dance floor, karaoke, and weekend drag shows. Beyond that anchor the borough is largely residential, so most other LGBTQ+ nightlife, dining, and community resources are a short drive away in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.
The Scranton–Wilkes-Barre (NEPA) scene is small but real. Moosic's The 12 Penny Saloon and Wilkes-Barre's Heat Bar & Night Club are the metro's two dedicated gay bars, both with drag shows. Hillside Campgrounds in New Milford is a gay men's resort about 30 miles north. The Rainbow Alliance runs the LGBT Center of NEPA in Wilkes-Barre and the annual NEPA PrideFest each June.
Moosic is car-dependent. Regional bus service is provided by COLTS (the County of Lackawanna Transit System), with connections to Scranton, but routes are limited for leisure travelers, so having a car is essentially required for exploring the area and for nightlife in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton.
Moosic offers chain hotel options along commercial corridors, which are generally budget and mid-range. Scranton proper also has independent hotels and bed-and-breakfasts, some of which may be more LGBTQ+-welcoming, though it's advisable to verify when booking.
Northeastern Pennsylvania is generally welcoming, and Pennsylvania together with the City of Scranton extend nondiscrimination protections covering sexual orientation and gender identity. Moosic itself is a quiet, family-oriented borough; as anywhere, standard travel precautions apply. The region has visible, active LGBTQ+ organizations led by the Rainbow Alliance and its LGBT Center of NEPA in Wilkes-Barre.
The region's main celebration is NEPA PrideFest, organized by the Rainbow Alliance and held each June on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre, with the PrideFest Royale Pageant at the Hilton Scranton. In 2026 the festival is planned for Sunday, June 28 (12–4pm), with the pageant on Friday, June 26. It is the primary organized LGBTQ+ gathering near Moosic.
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