Pittsburgh Equality Center

Volunteer Day - Flier Distribution
2026-07-26 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | COhatch South Side Works, 2681 Sidney St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, United States
This volunteer day is meant to help the Pittsburgh Equality Center spread the word about our upcoming season of OUTrageous Bingo! OUTrageous Bingo is a fundraiser for the PEC, the all-volunteer-led non-profit community center serving the LGBTQIA+ people of southwestern Pennsylvania, and Shepherd Wellness Community, the only HIV/AIDS community center in western Pennsylvania.

Volunteers will assist with creating routes and handing out OUTrageous Bingo fliers to businesses and organizations across Pittsburgh. We will need both walkers for delivering to nearby businesses and drivers for delivering to neighboring communities. If you are willing and able to provide transportation for volunteers during this event, the assistance will be greatly appreciated!

Register on our Point Organization Profile!

Where: COhatch South Side Works
When: July 26th from 11am – 1pm

Dance for the Dogs
2026-07-18 19:00 - 22:00 | 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, United States
Enjoy a night of dancing where each step helps raise money for our community!
Get ready to dance for a great cause! Pittsburgh Equality Center and Harmony Dog Rescue (providing safe homes for dogs whose owners are experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, domestic violence or medical emergencies) present Dance for the Dogs, where every step you take helps support rescue efforts and veterinary care for our four-legged friends. We will celebrate music, movement, community and compassion.

When: Saturday, July 18th

Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Where: Pittsburgh Equality Center @ FUMC
5401 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

How can I participate?
You can participate solo or team up with friends, family or coworkers to make an even bigger impact. Dancers collect pledges from sponsors, who either give a flat donation or pledge a certain amount based on how long the dancer keeps moving. There will be individual and team prizes for whoever raises the most money! The goal is to keep dancing for as long as possible.
Register to dance or just join to cheer folks on here!

FAQs
Who can participate?
Anyone can join! All ages and skill levels are welcome. No dance experience is needed.
Will the event be accessible?
We want Dance for the Dogs to be welcoming and accessible for all participants and guests. The venue will include accessible entry, space for wheelchair users and mobility devices, seating near the dance floor for those who need breaks, and a quieter area for anyone who needs a sensory break. Written or digital copies of any key announcements can be made available when possible.
Can I participate alone, or do I need a team?
You can do either! Participants may sign up as individuals or create or join a team with friends, family, coworkers, or community members. Individuals and teams can both fundraise and participate in the dancing.
Do I have to dance the entire time?
We encourage you to dance as much as you can, but breaks are absolutely okay. The goal is to have fun while supporting two great causes.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can dance in. Feel free to get creative, show your Pride, or coordinate outfits with your team.
Can spectators attend?
Yes! Friends, family, and community members are welcome to attend, cheer on the dancers, and support the cause. There is no required spectator fee, but donations are encouraged to support Pittsburgh Equality Center and Harmony Dog Rescue. An optional, suggested donation of $10 is welcome.
How does the fundraising work?
For those who want to dance, there is a $10 entry fee. Teams and individuals then collect pledges from sponsors, who can donate by the number of hours danced or make a flat donation.
Where does the money go?
All proceeds go toward furthering the missions of the Pittsburgh Equality Center and Harmony Dog Rescue.
Will there be any prizes?
Yes! The team that raises the most money and the team with the highest number of individual pledges will each be recognized.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Please email info@harmonydogrescue.org for more information.
Register to dance or just join to cheer folks on here!

LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Town Hall
2026-07-16 19:00 - 20:00 | COhatch South Side Works, 2681 Sidney St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, United States
Join Pittsburgh Equality Center for a community town hall focused on LGBTQ+ civil rights in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region. In this critical moment, LGBTQ+ community members and allies need clear, accessible information about our rights, the protections available to us, and the work still needed to advance equality across our region and the Commonwealth.
This town hall will bring together LGBTQ+ leaders and advocates, including invited representatives from the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, and members of Pittsburgh Mayor O’Connor’s LGBTQIA+ Commission. Panelists will share information, answer community questions, and help attendees better understand how to get engaged in protecting and broadening LGBTQ+ rights locally.
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Location: COhatch SouthSide Works, Sidney Street, Pittsburgh, PA

No Straight Answers: Holiday Edition 2025 (Queer Comedy Event)
2025-12-18 19:30 - 20:30 | COhatch South Side Works, 2681 Sidney St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, United States
No Straight Answers: Holiday Edition
The holidays come with lots of questions…“What gift should I bring?”“How do I survive my family?”“Is it wrong to flirt at the holiday party?”
Bring your dilemmas to No Straight Answers: Holiday Edition, a festive, unfiltered comedy advice show where Pittsburgh’s funniest queer performers take your real questions and give you… well… the kind of advice only they could come up with. Expect big laughs, chaotic wisdom, and plenty of holiday spirit (plus a little shade).
Purchase tickets here
Featuring:

Amir Megherhi
Cassi Bruno
Ellen Lundie
Roy Gloeckl
Tyler Ray Kendrick

This special Holiday Edition supports the Pittsburgh Equality Center—your ticket directly fuels our mission to uplift, advocate for, and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities across Western Pennsylvania.
Disclaimer: These comedians are absolutely not qualified to give real advice. They barely update their apps. Take them seriously at your own risk.No refunds. Lots of holiday cheer.
Join us for a joyful, irreverent night that’s guaranteed to make your season a little brighter (and a lot funnier).
Purchase tickets here

World AIDS Day Artists Salon
2025-12-01 18:00 - 19:00 | 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, United States
Join us for an intimate evening of remembrance, reflection, and community in honor of World AIDS Day. This candlelight artists salon welcomes long-term survivors, caregivers, allies, creatives, and all LGBTQ+ community members to gather in a shared space of support and creativity. Guests are invited to bring a small piece of art or a photo on their phone that honors someone meaningful to them.
Presented in partnership with Bainbridge Art and Pittsburgh Equality Center.

GaysGiving 2025
2025-11-23 16:00 - 19:00 | COhatch South Side Works, 2681 Sidney St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, United States
Join us for GaysGiving, an affirming and heartwarming gathering for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies to celebrate chosen family, community, and connection during the holiday season. Whether you’re away from loved ones, navigating family dynamics, or simply looking for a joyful and welcoming space, GaysGiving is for you.
This casual, community-centered event includes:

A delicious shared meal — with options to bring a dish or enjoy catered selections
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase
Conversation starters and community-building activities
Games and music to set the mood

All identities, orientations, and generations are welcome. Come solo or bring a friend — GaysGiving is a place to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
Accessibility:COhatch South Side Works is ADA accessible with ample parking nearby and public transit options along East Carson Street.
Let’s gather in gratitude, warmth, and queer joy.
Cost: $10 donation (pay at the door) or free admission if you bring a Thanksgiving dish to share.
RSVP below and submit your GaysGiving dish here:

Pittsburgh Equality Gala 2025
2025-11-07 18:00 - 23:00 | City Winery – Strip Terminal, 1627 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, United States
Join us on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Pittsburgh Equality Gala, a vibrant evening of celebration, inspiration, and connection benefiting the Pittsburgh Equality Center and the LGBTQIA+ community we proudly serve.
With this year’s theme, “Bridging the Future,” we honor Pittsburgh’s rich legacy of unity while looking boldly forward. Experience an unforgettable night filled with dinner, drinks, live performances, and dancing, bringing together community leaders, advocates, allies, and changemakers committed to advancing equality and inclusion.
More than just a gala, “Bridging the Future” is a movement. Together, we will celebrate the resilience of our community, uplift diverse voices and identities, and raise critical funds to ensure the Pittsburgh Equality Center’s impact continues to grow for generations to come.
Join us in shaping a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.
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Book Discussion: Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg (Lavender Book Club)
2025-10-23 18:00 | 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, United States
Read Reviews
Lulu | Amazon | Goodreads | The Storygraph
Get the Book
Free PDF (from the author) | Library | Amazon | Lulu
About the Book
Woman or man? This internationally acclaimed novel looks at the world through the eyes of Jess Goldberg, a masculine girl growing up in the “Ozzie and Harriet” McCarthy era and coming out as a young butch lesbian in the pre-Stonewall gay drag bars of a blue-collar town.Stone Butch Blues traces a propulsive journey, powerfully evoking history and politics while portraying an extraordinary protagonist full of longing, vulnerability, and working-class grit. This once-underground classic takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride of gender transformation and exploration and ultimately speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever suffered or gloried in being different.
Dear Reader:
I want to let you know that Stone Butch Blues is an anti-oppression/s novel.
As a result, it contains scenes of rape and other violence.
None of this violence is gratuitous or salacious.
Leslie
(Source: Goodreads)
About the Author

Leslie Feinberg [was] an anti-racist white, working-class, secular Jewish, transgender, lesbian, female, revolutionary communist….

Hir last words were:
“Remember me as a revolutionary communist.”
Read the full author biography on LeslieFeinberg.net.

OUTrageous Bingo
2025-09-20 19:30 - 22:00 | Beit Kelanu (formerly Rodef Shalom), 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States
OUTrageous Bingo
This ain’t your grandma’s bingo.
OUTrageous Bingo is a joint fundraising venture benefiting Shepherd Wellness Community and Pittsburgh Equality Center. The goal of this event is to further the missions of the two organizations while helping to cultivate a positive, warm, and welcoming environment for all attendees. This event boasts a 500-seat capacity that regularly sells out! Rodef Shalom Congregation of Oakland serves as our gracious host site.
December 2022 marked our 25th anniversary of having jointly hosted OUTrageous Bingo, a remarkable milestone, and testament to the incredible work we are doing for the Western Pennsylvania LGBTQIA+ community and those impacted by HIV/AIDS. Come help us continue this legacy!
Our Twitter Game is now the “Homepage Game” and you’ll find two of the next game’s numbers each month on our OUTrageous Bingo page, and two more will be on Shepherd Wellness Community’s website!
Homepage Game numbers will be posted after tickets go on sale for the corresponding bingo date. You can follow OUTrageous Bingo on Facebook for a notification when the numbers have gone live on both websites.
Doors open at 6:30 PM and games begin at 7:30 PM.

Queers, Cheers & Beers
2025-09-10 19:00 - 22:00 | 5801 Video Lounge, 5801 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, United States
BUY TICKETS NOW!
Get ready for an unforgettable night of laughter, music, and LGBTQ+ pride at Queers, Cheers and Beers! Join us for this spectacular variety show benefiting Pittsburgh Equality Center.

Star-Studded Lineup: Featuring the talented drag queen Dixie Surewood as our Mistress of Ceremonies, along with a roster of Pittsburgh’s finest LGBTQ+ talent!

Laugh Out Loud: Hilarious stand-up from local queer comedians
Dazzling Drag: Show-stopping performances by fierce queens
Live Vocals: Soulful serenades to make your heart soar

But Wait, There’s More!

Pride on Tap: Sip on specially drinks for the evening
Try Your Luck: Enter our 50/50 raffle for a chance to win big
Do Good, Feel Good: All proceeds support the vital work of Pittsburgh Equality Center

Event Details:

Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
Tickets: $10 per person online ($15 at the door)

Don’t miss this celebration of queer joy, talent, and community. Come for the queers, stay for the cheers, and enjoy the beers – all for a great cause!
Note: Performer lineup subject to change. This is a 21+ event.

Featured Event Sponsor

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Book Discussion: Summer Fun by Jeanne Thornton
2025-08-28 18:30 - 20:00 | 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, 5401 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, United States
Join us for our August reading selection, Summer Fun by Jean Thornton!
Read Reviews
Amazon | Goodreads | The Storygraph
Get the Book
Library | Amazon | Local Bookstore
About the Book
Winner of the 2022 Lammy Award for Transgender Fiction
From acclaimed author Jeanne Thornton, an epic, singular look at fandom, creativity, longing, and trans identity.
Gala, a young trans woman, works at a hostel in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. She is obsessed with the Get Happies, the quintessential 1960s Californian band, helmed by its resident genius, B—-. Gala needs to know: Why did the band stop making music? Why did they never release their rumored album, Summer Fun?
And so she writes letters to B—- that shed light not only on the Get Happies, but paint an extraordinary portrait of Gala. The parallel narratives of B—- and Gala form a dialogue about creation—of music, identity, self, culture, and counterculture.
Summer Fun is a brilliant and magical work of trans literature that marks Thornton as one of our most exciting and original novelists.
(Source: Amazon)
About the Author
Jeanne Thornton is an American writer and co-publisher of Instar Books and Rocksalt Magazine. She has received the Judith A. Markowitz Award for Emerging LGBTQ Writers. Anthologies to which she has contributed to have won a Lambda Literary Award and a Barbara Gittings Literature Award. (Source: Wikipedia)

Nico Lang, In Conversation
2025-07-29 18:30 - 20:00 | COhatch South Side Works, 2681 Sidney St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, United States
Join author Nico Lang for a reading and conversation celebrating their new book, American Teenager—an unflinching and tender look at queer adolescence across small-town America.
Journalist Kristina Marusic (Environmental Health News) will moderate a heartfelt discussion between Nico and Ray Sidney-Smith (President, Pittsburgh Equality Center), connecting the book’s national themes to the ongoing fight for trans and queer youth in Pittsburgh.
