Pittsburgh’s Gay & Lesbian Community
Pittsburgh is vastly becoming a Mecca city to the gay and lesbian community. This is largely due to the multitude of activities, bars, festivals, and friendliness that the city extends to anyone willing to check it out. This city offers a seemingly never ending cycle of entertainment for just about any interest, and it is usually brimming with a full calendar of events from sports to arts & culture, and the famous Pittsburgh Gay PrideFest.
The gay and lesbian community has been welcomed to Pittsburgh since the late 70’s, and the city has had a gay-rights ordinance on the books since 1990 that prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation. Pittsburgh is also the home of the popular annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival which draws in thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered writers, directors, actors, and their work.
Pittsburgh is nestled in the heart of the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers, creating an urban setting straight out of the movies, and for a bird’s eye view that is both romantic and breath taking, jump onto the Monongahela Incline to the peak of Mount Washington to climb the city’s landmark hills. It is not just one of the most romantic things to do in the city, its simply a spectacular site to see.
Gay & Lesbian nightlife in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is fast becoming a popular destination for gay travelers worldwide. It offers an active gay community with a bounty of exciting night clubs dotted along the strip district. Pittsburgh is also home to hundreds of bands covering every taste from alternative rock to Christian to reggae. The local clubs in the strip district on Liberty and Penn Avenue’s sit in the middle of downtown Pittsburgh, and the strip is always busy at night with party goers, and people seeking an active life style. Some of the most popular gay clubs in Pittsburgh can be located right here in the heart of the city.
Pittsburgh PrideFest
One of the most colorful month long events in June offers a Pride march, live music, food, entertainment, parties, and seminars, all celebrating the gay community. PrideFest never fails to bring thousands of people together from the region as well as nationwide.
For more information, call 412-422-0114
Pittsburgh International Lesbian & Gay Festival
The festival celebrates gays & lesbians in the arts. The ten day festival shows clips of short videos and feature films from some of the hottest national and international film makers. They offer everyone a chance to submit film and video works for future consideration.
For more information, go to: www.pilgff.org/films/submit.html
Monongahela Incline
Running since1870, the Monongahela Incline is the oldest and steepest incline in the United States, as well as the nation’s oldest cable car operation. It offers spectacular bird’s eye views of downtown Pittsburgh. The Monongahela Incline is located near the Smithfield Street Bridge, and is easily accessible from Station Square and Pittsburgh’s light rail system.
Station Square
When visiting Pittsburgh, your first stop simply must be Station Square. It is located just across the river from downtown Pittsburgh, and this 52 acre playground offers shopping, bars, restaurants, riverrock, summerfest, live entertainment, and some of the best shopping in the area. Romantics at heart will absolutely love the Horse and Carriage Rides. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the sites while relaxing with your favorite person. Also at Station Square you will be mesmerized with the fountain at Bessemer Court. The state-of-the-art Liquid Fireworks Show features hundreds of multi-colored water jets soaring up to 40 feet in the air, choreographed to music.
For more information, call 1-800-859-8959
Popular Pittsburgh Gay & Lesbian Clubs
Pegasus, 818 Liberty Avenue
The crowd hits the dance floor after 11pm. This basement dance club caters to Gen X-ers, gays and lesbians.
Club HOT
941 Liberty Avenue
Images
965 Liberty Avenue
Liberty Avenue Saloon
941 Liberty Avenue
Sidekicks, 931 Liberty Avenue
Karaoke, bar, and strippers.
Real Luck Caf�©
1519 Penn Avenue
Sanctuary
1620 Penn Avenue
Where to Eat in Pittsburgh
The cultural district, located downtown on the strip hosts converted warehouses that are now converted into trendy clubs, micro breweries, and restaurants for every pallette with colorful window displays welcoming visitors to come in and stay awhile. The Primanti Brothers are known for their ultimate Pittsburgh sandwich, and should not be passed up.
Trilogy, 620 Liberty Avenue
The well-stocked mirrored bar has three plasma TVs, as well as happy-hour drink specials. There’s also a sleek lounge that has a good view of Liberty Avenue.
Lemon Grass Cafe, 124 Sixth Street
The restaurant is splashed with delicate yellows and greens throughout. Theater nights are by far the busiest, and the Lemon Grass Cafe stays open late for party goers.
Gay & Lesbian Communities
Squirrel Hill is one of Pittsburgh’s upscale neighborhoods that is home to the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh and many gay owned businesses.
Shadyside is a safe neighborhood that is enjoyed by the gay community. People usually walk as everything is within a short distance of each other, and there is plenty of restaurants, gay bars and art galleries to discover along your scenic path.
Gay organizations in Pittsburgh
PFLAG offers support and education to gays and their families with the concept of creating a world in which people will be educated with freedom from fear of violence, bullying and other forms of discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation or that of their families.
www.pflagpgh.org
Thursday Night Live is Pittsburgh’s gay and lesbian professionals organization which provides social and networking opportunities. Their regular monthly meetings provide a forum for discussing trends and issues affecting gay professionals.
thursdayntlive1@netscape.net
Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh is one of the top organizations that provides the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, their families and supporters in Western Pennsylvania with resources and opportunities to promote visability, understanding and equality within the LGBT communities and the community-at-large.
PrideDirect@glccpgh.org
Visitor information for Pittsburgh:
For more travel tips and information about Pittsburgh
Call 1-877-LOVE PGH
Gay & Lesbian travel guides: www.citynavigaytor.com
