Ways to Celebrate the First Weekend of Pride Month in Philadelphia

Philly raises a trans flag for the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, queer movies at the Roxy, a new midweek dance party at Tabu and more gay things to do in Philly this week.

For the first time in Philly's history, a transgender flag will fly alongside the American one this week at City Hall to mark this year's Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference. More info about the ceremony below. | Photo by torbakhopper/Flickr.

For the first time in Philly’s history, a transgender flag will fly alongside the American one this week at City Hall to mark this year’s Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference. More info about the ceremony below. | Photo by torbakhopper/Flickr.

How fitting that June 1st falls on a Monday, it gives us a full week and a clean slate to kickstart our Pride Month celebrations. Plus, who can get the manic Mondays when we know we have a full month of rainbow-clad festivities ahead of us. Here, in usual event roundup fashion, I highlights some of the best gay events happening in the city from today through Sunday. Check back Friday for a more-detailed weekend guide. Happy Pride month, y’all!

THURSDAY, JUNE 4TH

  • The Bearded Ladies, led by smokin'-hot founder John Jarboe, help open the new and first LGBT exhibition at the National Constitution Center on Thursday.

    The Bearded Ladies, led by smokin’-hot founder John Jarboe, help open the new and first LGBT exhibition at the National Constitution Center on Thursday.

    The Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference kicks off with a welcoming ceremony and a variety of panels and discussions on Thursday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Check out the full schedule here. The Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference is free and open to the public. To attend, all you need to do is register here.

  • History will be made this week, when Mayor Nutter raises the Transgender flag alongside the American one during a ceremony at City Hall at noon on Thursday. The flag will stay up until the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference closes on Saturday, June 6th.
  • In honor of the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, Gender Reel presents a mini film festival featuring three films from their 2014 festival: Crazy Hot, In My Skin, and Brace.
  • Get a first look at the National Constitution Center’s first-ever LGBT exhibit, “Speaking Out for Equality,” at this opening party hosted by the William Way Community Center. $35 tickets get you a 3-hour open bar, food, and performances by the Philadelphia Voices of Pride and The Bearded Ladies.
  • The second film in Queer Cinema Now at PFS at the Roxy is Priscilla Queen of the Desert. This screening will be highlighted with a performance by Philly’s hardest working drag queen, Miss Brittany Lynn.
  • Can you believe it? Mimi Imfurst’s Drag Wars competition is back at Voyeur. The talent for this 6th go-round hasn’t been revealed yet, but as always you can expect a handful of ambitious queens who will do anything to follow in the footsteps of former winners like Pissi Myles and Bev. Stay tuned; the drama is about to begin.
  • If you’re looking for an LGBT-centric event to do for Philly Beer Week, look no further. Party producer Josh Schonewolf has teamed up with the Tap Room on 19th for a drag night with Left Hand Brewing Company. He’s enlisted the help of Mistor Fahrenheit, Lili St. Queer and Sutton Fearce for this evening of tucks, wigs and suds.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5TH

  • Bearlesque does Gaga all night long on Friday.

    Bearlesque does Gaga all night long on Friday.

    The Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference continues with another full day of programming, including discussions on aging, spirituality and trans-masculinity. Full schedule here.

  • It’s time for Bearlesque again, and this time the furry performers are doing Lady Gaga all night long. Gives new meaning to putting your paws up, huh?
  • The Welcoming Committee is taking over a straight bar on Friday night. Details are mum for now. Stay tuned for any updates.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6TH

  • The final day of the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference features another full day of panels, workshops and a closing bash at Fancy House hosted by Chaska Sofia. Full schedule here.
  • The country’s first and longest-running feminist chorus, Philly’s own Anna Crusis Women’s Choir, marks their 40th anniversary with a concert that should raise some brows: “Reclaiming the ‘F’ Word.” The two-night performance promises a fusion of song, technology and, yes, the “F” word in the Ibrahim Theater in the International House in West Philly.
  • The inaugural fetish contest Philadelphia Fetish and Bootblack hits up William Way Saturday night.