10 Reasons to Visit Philadelphia

Sure, in many cities around the world, the LGBT community owns a week or two each summer when Pride rolls into town. But, Philadelphia, Penn., commonly referred to as the “City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection”, shows why it lives up to this nickname with a unique year-round lineup of LGBT events that appeal to residents and visitors alike.

1. Dining Out for Life
On April 14, help in the fight against AIDS by feasting like a king as many top Philadelphia-area restaurants donate 33% of your bill to Action AIDS.

2. Philadelphia Black Gay Pride
When queer culture and black culture collide, there’s a whole lot to celebrate. Join in during Black Gay Pride, April 28 to May 1.

3. Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference
Enlighten and empower yourself while promoting wellness for trans, gender variant, and gender non-conforming people. The 15th annual conference will take place June 9-11 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

 

Thank you for joining Philadelphia Pride 2015! #phillypridepresents #phillypride #gayphilly #phillygaypride

A photo posted by Philly Presents (@phillypridepresents) on Jun 14, 2015 at 4:39pm PDT

4. PrideDay LGBT Parade and Festival
From the Gayborhood to Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia comes out to celebrate Pride, this year its 27th annual parade and festival, on June 12.

5. qFLIX Philadephia
If your brotherly (or sisterly) love is matched by your love of film, then the LGBT film festival taking place July 5-10 should not be missed.

6. The Boys of Summer
Indulge in some shameless fun and enjoy the eye candy that invades Philly for this weekend-long event that includes a block party, Sunday Funday picnic and Splash pool party. Throw on your best speedo for a good cause August 5-7.

7. GayFest!
Also known as Philadelphia's LGBT Theater Festival, this multiweek event featuring live performances and staged premiers takes place each year in August (exact dates for 2016 to be announced).

8. Philadelphia Phillies Gay Day
It’s America’s favorite past-time celebrated in the most American way possible. The home team celebrates their gay and lesbian fans every season. Exact dates TBA.

 

Block Party Dance off! #phillypride #phillygaypride #gayphilly #phillyprideparty #phillylesbian

A photo posted by Philly Presents (@phillypridepresents) on Jun 6, 2014 at 6:11pm PDT

9. OutFest
Come out (in every sense of the phrase) on October 11 and enjoy a good old-fashioned block party, the largest National Coming Out Day street festival in the world.

10. Pink Pub Crawl
The biannual pub crawl is perfect for exploring the Gayborhood’s best watering holes. Wear pink for a discount on the booze tour. Exact dates to be announced.