Big news for travelers: It’s not always sunny in Philadelphia no matter what cheeky sitcom titles may want you to believe. In fact, when I visited last month, it was a bit gray and somewhat chilly. But no bother. Because as a reliably warm and sparkly spring and summer draw near, there a big florid bouquet of gay-flavored activities coming to Philadelphia that will have you basking in a entertaining glow of warmth and all-around sassiness so blindingly fabulous, that you may indeed get a tan, no matter what’s happening weather-wise.
Plus, Philly’s always a welcoming gay-friendly spot for a getaway. So read on, pick an event that’s right for you, and pack your bags. And bring sunscreen. And tennis shorts. Just in case!
Gentlemen, start your engines. And may the best stud-muffin win! Yup, April 17th bring the big, bulge-packed, shiny Mr. Gay Philadelphia contest to the city of hunky brotherly love. A batch of Philly’s finest will compete in a series of competitive categories (Talent! Interview! And you better believe… Swimsuit!) to snag the title of Mr. Gay Philadelphia. And the winner will head on come November to compete in the U.S. National Mr. Gay on November 13th (which will also take place in Philadelphia).
On board for the Mr. Gay Philadelphia contest will be cast members from Logo’s The Big Gay Sketch Show who will both perform at the event and serve as judges (along with other esteemed notables and celebs). Comedian and Sirius/XM talk show host, Frank DeCaro will cohost the contest with Philly drag diva, Brittany Lynn. The judgmental fun will take place at Voyeur nightclub. For more info, visit http://www.nightlifegay.com.
Brace yourself for a week’s worth of celebrations from April 18th through April 25 with Philadelpha hosts its 11th Annual Black Gay Pride. This year it’s all about “Pride… A Deeper Love.”
Big events will fill the week. The 4th Annual Legends Awards Ball (Sat. April 24th at the Loews Hotel) will pay honor to the local heores and sheroes of Philly’s LGBT community of color. And expect to experience a fierce amount of talent, elegance and entertainment when the city’s finest men and women compete for the titles of Mr. & Miss Phildelphia Black Gay Pride, also part of the week’s festivities. For full details, visit http://www.PhillyBlackPride.org.
One of the richest events in the national LGBT event calendar, Equality Forum 2010 will be held from April 26th to Sunday, May 2nd in Philadelphia, bringing over 45 programs, parties and special events examining and celebrating gay life and our cultural heritage.
Africa receives the international focus at this year’s Equality Forum, and highlights will include the jam-packed “SundayOUT! at The Piazza” where gay Philly will mingle and mix it up in the trendy Northern Liberties neighborhood amid bars, cafes and fun shops. Another big party will be the 11th Annual Girl Fever bash, and the more formal gala International Equality Dinner at the National Constitution Center.
Governor Ed Rendell will participate in a panel; others will focus on national sports and legal issues. And there will be a panel discussing President Obama’s LGBT appointees and the work the current administration is doing with regard to LGBT rights. For a full schedule of events, visit http://www.EqualityForum.com.
Every Saturday, Philadelphia’s gay running club hosts the Frontrunners Philly Fun Run, stepping off at 9:30am at Lloyd Hall at Boathouse Row. Brunch follows in the city’s fab Art Museum neighborhood.
Gays with great legs in running shorts. Then, brunch! It’s a win win. For further details, visit http://www.FrontRunnersPhila.org.
New Hope Celebrates Pride. Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC.
New Hope, in Bucks County, PA is a artsy, gay-loving town full of quaint inns, cool shops and cafes and a warm, progressive vibe. And every May, New Hope welcomes LGBT visitors, locals and their friends for a roster of outdoor parties, performances and yes, a parade. This year the fun rolls out from Thursday, May 13th through Sunday, May 16th. Get details at http://www.NewHopeCelebrates.com.
Gays and lesbians loves sports. Really! And the Liberty Bell Classic loves sports-loving gays. That’s why this annual weekend (this year from May 29th-30th) of softball games is Philly’s largest queer sporting event, hosing teams from all over the area (at Stauffer and Metropolitan Fields in nearby Deptford, New Jersey), as well as a block party on Camac Street in Philly’s own Gay Village neighborhood, and a closing bash at the lesbian nightclub Sisters on Chancellor Street. Visit http://www.libertybellclassic.org.
If it’s June, there’s gotta be a Pride. And on June 13th, Philadelphia will celebrates all of its own shades of gay with Pride Day. Live entertainment, food, drinks (Surprise!) and other festivities will take over Penn’s Landing. A parade kicks off the day’s events, making its way from the “Gayborhood” to the Delaware River waterfront. Plan your rainbow-tastic Pride Day at http://www.PhillyPride.org.
Who loves movies? Gays do! Thusly, from July 8th-19th, for the 16th year, QFest (formerly known as the Philly International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival) will rage through the city’s cinemas, bringing queer films, films by queers, films about queers, and films that queer love to the popcorn-snarfing masses. Guided by artistic directed Raymond Murray, expect over 125 films–a mix of narratives, docs and shorts–from more than 40 countries, in 27 languages.
Parties will rage accordingly, receptions will take place pre- and post-screenings, awards will be bestowed. And yes, expect some celebs to show up. Past participants and honorees have included Joel Schumacher, Lee Daniels, Sandra Bernhard, Todd Haynes, Jane Lynch, Bruce Vilanch, Alec Mapa and Udo Kier. Get the full monty on all the movie madness at http://www.PhillyCinema.org.
Play ball! On Monday, August 23rd, the Philadelphia Phillies will welcome thousands of loyal gay and lesbian baseball fans to their annual Gay Community Day at Citizens Bank Park. This year, see the Phillies (2009 World Series almost-champs) face off against those rascally Houston Astros. Get the starting lineup on the days’ events at http://www.PhillyGayDays.com.
Bust out those cute white tennis shorts! And tell the Williams sisters to meet you in Bucks County at the annual New Hope Open. Sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association, this annual events lets gays and lesbian tennis players face off in a weekend of matches at the Bucks County Racquet Club, the Northampton Tennis & Fitness Center and the Doylestown Tennis Club.
Did I mention there will be scores of lesbians channeling their best Billie Jeans and Martinas? Plus, what’s hotter than Roger Federer? A gay Roger Federer. Get your swing and your fuzzy balls ready by visiting http://www.NewHopeOpen.com.
Philly’s great for Pride, or pretty much anytime!
And finally, for more details about any- and everything you can do and enjoy in Philadelphia, gay or otherwise, visit the welcoming folks of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. at http://www.VisitPhilly.com/gay.
