25 Gay Things to Do in Philly This September

Madonna is headed to the City of Brotherly Love this month. Photo via Shutterstock.

The Pope who? There’s a lot more going on in Philadelphia this September besides a visit from the Vatican. We rounded up 25 LGBT events, shows, and minglers that will keep you busy during back to school season.

Faced with Discrimination Photobooth: Equality Pennsylvania is teaming up with the William Way Community Center for this free event where guests can take a picture and describe why discrimination is a problem that isn’t just theoretical. Thursday, September 3rd, 11 am, free, William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street

Sharon Needles: The RuPaul icon “with the look of a cover model and the soul of a shoe” will be at Kung Fu Necktie for a one-nigh only show, featuring the Haus of Ham and The Homophones. Thursday, September 3rd, 7 pm, $20-50, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 North Front Street

FringeArts Festival 2015: There’s so many queer performances at this year’s FringeArts Fest that we’d be here all day if we listed all of them: everything from You Are the Hero to Not For Profit to Growing Into My Beard. In short, there’s something for everyone. Opens Thursday, September 3rd, various times, prices, and locations

All of the Feels Opening Reception: The good folks at Valley Youth House are presenting the opening of a very touchy-feely art exhibit, featuring works that explore “teenagerdom.” Friday, September 4th, 6 pm, free, The Monkey and The Elephant, 2831 West Girard Avenue

Jackie Beat in Philly: #NoFilter: The self-proclaimed “Evil Queen of all Anti-Social Media” will be presenting some of her newest song parodies in this Friday evening performance that is sure to get your weekend off to the right start. Friday, September 4th, 8 pm, $22, Franky Bradley’s 1320 Chancellor Street

A scene from ANDY: A Popera.

Franky’s Foxes: Join Iris Spectre, Zsa Zsa St. James, Maria Top Catt, Omyra Lynn, Ms. Karma, Ann Artist, Lady Poison, and DJ Chris Urban, who will be kicking off Labor Day weekend with this monthly show. Friday, September 4th, 10 pm, $5-7, Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor Street

Fairgrounds at Six Flags: It’s billed as the “largest LGBT private party in the Nation,” and you can join the fun at Six Flags Great Adventure. Entertainment includes DJs Joey Z, Steve Sidewalk, Kimani G, Dave Aude, and Ultra Nate. Saturday, September 5th, 8 pm, $48.99, Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson

Lambda Legal in Philadelphia: Find out about the critical work that Lambda Legal does during their Philadelphia mixer at Reed Smith. Mayor Michael Nutter will be honored at the event, which will include cocktails and light bites. Thursday, September 10th, 6 pm, $100, Reed Smith, 1717 Arch Street

ANDY: A Popera: It might be the gayest thing in the city: A collaboration between the Bearded Ladies Cabaret and Opera Philadelphia. It’s brainchild? ANDY: A Popera. Don’t expect any fat ladies singing on this stage, or any Verdi for that matter. Opens Thursday, September 10th, various times, $30, 1526 North American Street

Darryl and Timaree Fun Hour (DTF): The monthly talk show on all things sex returns, featuring special guest hosts Eric Thomas, Sidney Gantt, and Ashley Coleman. Friday, September 11th, 8:30 pm, $10, Franky Bradley’s , 1320 Chancellor Street

See You In Hell: The Sequel: Bev hosts this evening of politically incorrect humor on 9/11, possibly featuring stabs at Bill Cosby, Jared from Subway, The Duggars, and The Pope. Friday, September 11th, 10 pm, no cover, Venture Inn, 255 South Camac Street

Rocky Horror Gay Bingo: Put your hands on your hips! Head over to this special Transylvanian Nipple Productions version of the popular game GayBINGO, and get ready to do the Time Warp. Saturday, September 12th, 7 pm, $20, Gershman Y, 401 South Broad Street

The Aviary: Philly’s “friendliest fetish event” comes to the William Way Community Center with a “back to school” theme. They encourage folks to “get into the spirit” by dressing in “naughty student outfits,” or whatever you please. Saturday, September 12th, 9 pm, $10-20, William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street

Nitty Gritty Mod Pop British Invasion Dance Party: DJ David Atlas will be spinning 60’s tunes from The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Kinks, and more at this dance party gone UK. Saturday, September 12th, 10 pm, no cover, Venture Inn, 255 South Camac Street

Dining With the Divas: Join Mimi Imfurst, Omyra Lynn, Iris Spectre, and Zsa Zsa St. James at Hard Rock Cafe for a monthly drag brunch that will surely leave you hungry for more. Sunday, September 13th, 12 pm, $10-12, Hard Rock Cafe, 1113 Market Street

Meals for Mazzoni: Chef Crystal Fox from Giorgio on Pine is throwing this mid-day mixer to benefit Mazzoni Center’s Food Bank. All proceeds will benefit Mazzoni, and there’ll be dancers, drinks, DJs, and food. Sunday, September 13th, 2 pm, $6-20, Tabu, 200 South 12th Street

Friends With Benefits: Bev and Mistor Fahrenheit team up for a “two woman show” at Franky Bradley’s that will leave you in stitches. Sunday, September 13th, 8 pm, Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor Street

From a previous Our Night Out.

Our Night Out at Uptown Beer Garden: See why we at Philly Mag named Our Night Out the “Best Gay Night Out” in the city. Hundreds of folks from the LGBT community will mingle, drink, and support the AIDS Law Project of PA. Tuesday, September 15th, 6 pm, $5, Mellon Bank Center, 1735 Market Street

QOTA at Noir: South Philly will be in the house at this LGBT networking event at Noir, where there will be 1/2 off appetizers and $4 wine by the glass, plus outside mingling. Wednesday, September 16th, 6 pm, Noir, 1909 East Passyunk Avenue

Out4STEM Year Two Kick-Off: Join The College of Physicians of Philadelphia at the Mutter Museum for a celebration of their LGBT science program. There will be free food, beverages, and tokens provided. Thursday, September 17th, 5 pm, free, Mutter Museum, 19 South 22nd Street

Miss Tabu “Fancy” Pageant: There’s a $500 prize for the best female-identified performer at this fantasy-themed pageant. Expect fairy tales, mythology, and medieval folklore galore. Saturday, September 19th, 9 pm, Tabu, 200 South 12th Street

Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour: Sure, the Pope will be in town, but so will mother-freaking-Madonna, who will, no doubt, be making some bold statements about Catholicism during her stop at the Wells Fargo Center. Thursday, September 24th, 8 pm, $40-355, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street

Miss’d America Pageant: The iconic Atlantic City show has found a new home this year at Borgata, and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy‘s Carson Kressley will be hosting the pageant. It’s a great way to escape the city during the Papal visit (why not stay the night?). Saturday, September 26th, 8 pm, $65-100, The Borgata, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City

IBA ConnX with OPAL: The Independence Business Alliance (IBA), Philly’s LGBT chamber of commerce, is throwing a combined mixer with OPAL at the Field House, where there will be food and drink specials, plus plenty of networking opportunities. Tuesday, September 29th, 5:30 pm, $15, Field House, 1150 Filbert Street

Jewish Pride LGBT SukkOUT: Celebrate the Jewish holiday Sukkot while enjoying the fellowship of the LGBT community. There will be wine and light snacks in a “fabulous rainbow Sukkah.” Wednesday, September 30th, 6 pm, $18-25, John C. Anderson Apartments, 251 South 13th Street