Pittsburgh Pride ’10—Big, bigger, biggest!

by David Brunner

With another harsh Pittsburgh winter behind us, Pride season is right around the corner. There are lots of ways to shake off your cabin fever, and the best is to get out and get involved in the community. These Pittsburgh pride season events offer fun and entertainment as well as going to benefit the LGBT community as a whole. And volunteers are always welcomed.

Events leading up to Pride

Mon, May 10, 6-11pm—annual Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art at the Carnegie Museum of Art, where art goes up for auction to raise funds for Persad Center. Persad has been giving mental health support to the LGBT and HIV+ community regardless of ability of a client’s ability to pay, thanks to the generosity of donations and its board of directors. Various local restaurants donate lots of food and drinks to help support the cause. Tickets are $75 before May 1; $90 after. More information at www.persadcenter.org

Tues, May 18, Primary Elections—All you have to do is get out and vote!

Mon, May 31, noon-6pm—annual Memorial Day LGBT Picnic in North Park. The $20 advance ticket ($30 on the day of the event) includes all-you-can-eat picnic style food, all-you-can-drink beer and non-alcoholic beverages and lots of entertainment from dancing to performances and vendors offering various diversions.

This event is a very popular way to get together with the community while enjoying the great weather in the park. There is also a cocktail bar near the dance floor. Carpooling and designated drivers are recommended.

Wed, June 2, 6-9pm—the first Queer Women’s Craft Circle at GLCC (210 Grant Street downtown). The event will kickoff with scrap booking.

Thurs, June 3, 8pm—Mr. Pittsburgh Drag King contest at Sotto Lounge (under Cattivo). This event requires pre-registration if you want to compete. $5.00 entrance fee and only ages 21+. Visit: sites.google.com/site/mppdkc.

Fri, June 4, 6pm—on the steps of the City County Building (414 Grant Street), the Pride Advocacy Rally kicks off official Pride week. Hear guest speakers, such as Cleve Jones, longtime activist and friend of Harvey Milk, as well as Pastor Dr. Brent Hawkes of the Metropolitan Church of Toronto. Be there to be a part of our history.

 Sat, June 5, 5-9pm—Last Call Mixer Pride Carnivale at GLCC for LGBT and allied folks ages 18 – 24. Check event on Facebook fanpage “Last Call with YEP Mixers.”

Pride weekend

Thurs, June 10, 7pm—annual Splash at Mount Washington home of Steven Herforth and Peter Karlovich. This popular party sells out quickly since only 300 tickets are available. Admission includes an open bar, and picnic style food. Tickets before May 15: $60, after: $65 and on day of the event: $80.

Fri, June 11, 8pm-2am—Pub Crawl where busses take fellow revelers from bar to bar. Tickets before May 15: $15, after: $20 and on day of event: $25. Ticket not only covers your safe travel from bar to bar but includes a free drink at each stop. Bars include Brewers, Donny’s, P-Town, Spin, 5801, Harris Grill, Blue Moon, Cattivo, Images, There Video Lounge and Lucky’s. A bus leaves every 20 minutes and you can start from any of the locations.

June 11—Queer Youth teen dance at the Warhol Museum. More information will soon be available on Facebook under “Queer Teen Dance Party.”

Sat, June 12, begins 7pm—Pride in the Streets between 9th and 10th streets on Liberty Ave, which is blocked off for the festivities. Pittsburgh band Luxe opens for Deborah Cox, the main performer. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. VIP Tickets are $100 in advance and $125 at the door.

Sun, June 13, noon—Pride Parade: Line up at 10am on Court Place between Ross and Grant streets to be in this year’s Pride Parade! March starts at noon and winds through downtown. To be part of the parade, you can register ahead of time.

Another way to participate in the parade is to wear red and join ALPHA (AIDS Leadership Promoting Health Awareness) and friends, which will march in the back of the parade to show support for a healthy community and ending the stigma against those living with HIV.

June 13, 1-6pm—Pride Fest features over 100 vendors, family friendly carnival games and attractions ,as well as something for the older folks (A Beer Garden!). Plenty of street performers and an entire day of performers on stage.

Many of events are being coordinated with the help of the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh. Tickets and info can be found at www.pittsburghpride.org, as well as more about the Delta Foundation. Www.pittsburghpride.org is a Must Visit for anyone looking for information about the Pride events.

Following the grand finale of the Pride Fest, a number of other events continue throughout June:

Sat, June 19—The Queer Youth Connections trip to Carnegie Museum of Natural History, as well as a Field Day Picnic, are both being organized by Lyndsey who can be reached for more information at 412 441-9786 x220.

Wed, June 23—Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force party to thank participants of their Natural Opinion Leader Project. Food and Prizes await! If you have participated in any PATF safer sex trainings over the past few years, contact Alan Jones of PATF at 412 345-0577 for more information and how you can attend.

No matter how you spend the beginning of your summer, do so with Pride. Pittsburgh may still have a way to go, but it has come a long way so far.