9 Gay Things to Do in Philly This Week: Let the Pride Festivities Begin!

By Josh Middleton· 6/3/2014, 3:03 p.m.

What’s happening this week in Gay Philly:

Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony

The 20th annual AIDS Education Month kicks off with a free reception and awards ceremony that honors individuals who stand out as exemplars in the community of those fighting for the rights of people with HIV. This year the award will be presented to Francoise Barre-Sinoussi (pictured), PhD and recipient of a Nobel Prize in medicine. Hors d'oeuvres and meaningful conversation is free for all in attendance. Check out the full AIDS Education Month itinerary here. June 3, 5:30 p.m., Free, Independence Visitor's Center, 6th and Market streets. —Joe McGee

Pride Celebration at the Kimmel Center

The Kimmel Center is helping kick off a busy month of Pride events with a free concert featuring local LGBT-supportive choral groups Philadelphia Voices of Pride, the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware, Anna Crusis Women's Choir, and Sharon Katz and the Peace Train.Tuesday, June 3rd, 6 p.m., free, Commonwealth Plaza in the Kimmel Center, 1101 South Broad Street.

Suzanna Danuta Walters Reading

Author Suzanna Danuta Walters is stopping by the William Way to read excerpts from her book The Tolerance Trap: How God, Genes, and Good Intentions are Sabotaging Gay Equality. In the book, Walters "takes on received wisdom about gay identities and gay rights, arguing that we are not “almost there,” but on the contrary have settled for a watered-down goal of tolerance and acceptance rather than a robust claim to full civil rights." Tuesday, June 3rd, 6 p.m., William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street.

Just Gender Screening at Ritz East

Lambda Legal is hosting a screening of George Zuber's Just Gender, a documentary that utilizes archival footage and interviews with transgender people, their families and health experts to "explore the breadth of transgender diversity and the experiences of daily life within the transgender community." The screening is part of a series hosted by Lambda Legal that benefits local trans-benefitting organizations. There will be a talk-back session following the film. Tuesday, June 3rd, 6:45 p.m., Ritz East, 125 South Second Street.

Philly Dyke March Craft Night and Sign-Making Party

Philly Dyke March readies for its annual march with a good old-fashioned craft night and sign-making party. Expect drink, snacks, and some of the liveliest conversation you're likely to find on a Wednesday night in Philly. Wednesday, June 4th, 6 p.m., William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street.

Debbie McGeorge of Art + TK Photography

Marriage Equality Town Hall Meeting

Now that the initial excitement of gaining marriage equality in Pennsylvania has died down a bit, it's time to ask some serious questions, namely what in the hell does this mean for us now?! To help put it all into perspective ACLU of Pennsylvania, the Mazzoni Center and a handful of other local organizations have invited a team of attorneys and law professors to discuss the implications of Whitewood v. Wolf, and the legal rights and responsibilities that come with it. Among the topics will be all the new things that are coming our way, like adoption and divorce, and "how Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws might (or might not) protect same-sex couples from discrimination based on marital status." Wednesday, June 4th, 6 p.m., free, William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street.

Song Wars Grand Finale

Song Wars judges have finally narrowed down its crop of contestants to five: Eric Jaffe, John McCarthy, Katie White, Lauren Cohen, and Madonna Black. One of these chanteuses will walk away with a $2,000 prize, and the title of the Gayborhood's best singer — or at least until Josh Schonewolf hosts another singing competition. Wednesday, June 4th, 10 p.m., Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James Street.

Soul Food and Screening of Boys

Mazzoni Center‘s The Real Impact Project (TRIP), an empowering, health-first campaign for men of color who have sex with men, and trans women of color, is hosting another testing event, this time with a screening of the web series Boys. Director Isaiah Freeman will be in attendance for the event, which includes a spread of soul food, and free HIV/STD testing. Everyone who attends gets a free token to cover their trip to and from the venue. Thursday, June 5th, 5 p.m., William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street.

The Candyshoppe: Gayborhood Pride

SugarHouse Casino is getting in on this year's Pride festivities with a variety show featuring some of the area's most legendary talents. I'm talking Lisa Lisa, Sandy Beach, Morgan Wells, and comedy queen Carol Ann Carol Ann. Five dollars from every ticket sold will benefit MANNA. Thursday, June 5th, 8 p.m., $15, SugarHouse Casino, 1001 North Delaware Avenue.

9 Gay Things to Do in Philly This Week: Let the Pride Festivities Begin!

Get a compelling long read and must-have lifestyle tips in your inbox every Sunday morning — great with coffee!

Trending

IN THIS SECTION