Philadelphia: This Season's Top 10 Gay Events

Story by Ed Salvato; photos courtesy GPTMC; above, knocking back a cocktail at Knock Restaurant in the Gayborhood, celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer (see #8 below)

Today kicks off a series of 10 hot gay and lesbian events over the next four months in the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection) and in nearby New Hope, Penn. From beloved standards like the Equality Forum and Pride Day to newer additions like Mr. Gay Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival visitors have at least 10 reasons to include Philly on their gay travel agenda this spring and summer.

Here they are in chronological order:

1. April 17. Quick, the event is today, but it is worth hopping on a train from New York to watch celebrity judges size up the competition during Mr. Gay Philadelphia at Voyeur Nightclub.
2. April 18. Philadelphia Black Pride kicks off with Mr. and Miss Philadelphia Black Gayi Pride, an evening of elegance, talent, and entertainment.
3. April 26. The week-long Equality Forum, the world's leading international gay cultural and political event kicks off.
4. May 1. Get up bright and early to run in the Frontrunner's Philly Fun Run, starting at 9:30AM, organized by the Philadelphia Frontrunners.
5. May 13-16. New Hope, PA,  a charming town in nearby Bucks County, hosts their four-day gay pride event, New Hope Celebrates Pride.
6. May 29-30. The Liberty Bell Classic hosts a weekend of softball competitions, a block party, and closing celebrations at lesbian nightclub Sisters.
7. June 13. Philadelphia's annual Pride Day kicks off with a parade that makes its way from the "Gayborhood" to the scenic Delaware River waterfront.
8. July 10. Philly celebrates the 40th anniversary of its "Gayborhood", the area surrounding 11th Street to Broad and Chestnut to Lombard Streets paced full of gay-popular restaurants, bars, cafes and gyms.
9. August 4. Queer baseball fans rejoice! The Philadelphia Phillies welcome thousands of loyal lesbian and gay fans to Gay Community Day at Citizens Bank Park.
10. August 29-31. Balls fly everywhere at the New Hope Open sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association.

Above, women gaily shopping during the week-long Equality Forum festival celebrating the cultural and political legacy of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community with more than 50 events by 60 regional, national and international organizations. Credit: Photo by J. McWilliams for PCVB

Story by Ed Salvato; photos courtesy GPTMC; above, knocking back a cocktail at Knock Restaurant in the Gayborhood, celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer (see #8 below)

Today kicks off a series of 10 hot gay and lesbian events over the next four months in the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection) and in nearby New Hope, Penn. From beloved standards like the Equality Forum and Pride Day to newer additions like Mr. Gay Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival visitors have at least 10 reasons to include Philly on their gay travel agenda this spring and summer.

Here they are in chronological order:

1. April 17. Quick, the event is today, but it is worth hopping on a train from New York to watch celebrity judges size up the competition during Mr. Gay Philadelphia at Voyeur Nightclub.
2. April 18. Philadelphia Black Pride kicks off with Mr. and Miss Philadelphia Black Gayi Pride, an evening of elegance, talent, and entertainment.
3. April 26. The week-long Equality Forum, the world's leading international gay cultural and political event kicks off.
4. May 1. Get up bright and early to run in the Frontrunner's Philly Fun Run, starting at 9:30AM, organized by the Philadelphia Frontrunners.
5. May 13-16. New Hope, PA,  a charming town in nearby Bucks County, hosts their four-day gay pride event, New Hope Celebrates Pride.
6. May 29-30. The Liberty Bell Classic hosts a weekend of softball competitions, a block party, and closing celebrations at lesbian nightclub Sisters.
7. June 13. Philadelphia's annual Pride Day kicks off with a parade that makes its way from the "Gayborhood" to the scenic Delaware River waterfront.
8. July 10. Philly celebrates the 40th anniversary of its "Gayborhood", the area surrounding 11th Street to Broad and Chestnut to Lombard Streets paced full of gay-popular restaurants, bars, cafes and gyms.
9. August 4. Queer baseball fans rejoice! The Philadelphia Phillies welcome thousands of loyal lesbian and gay fans to Gay Community Day at Citizens Bank Park.
10. August 29-31. Balls fly everywhere at the New Hope Open sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association.

Above, women gaily shopping during the week-long Equality Forum festival celebrating the cultural and political legacy of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community with more than 50 events by 60 regional, national and international organizations. Credit: Photo by J. McWilliams for PCVB