The best LGBT things to do in New York this week
Get busy with our picks of the best parties, mixers, performances and more LGBT things to do in NYC this week
There’s never a shortage of LGBT things to do in New York, whether you’re looking for talks, film screenings, drag show or world-class gay bars and gay clubs in NYC. And the city’s queer scene isn’t confined to the established gayborhoods in Manhattan either. Nowadays, you’ll find LGBT events throughout the boroughs every night of the week. With so much to choose from, there’s no excuse not to get out there and have a gay old time.
Best LGBT things to do
House of Vogue: PRIDE
Once an underground queer nightclub dance technique, vogue has become a canonized genre, and there's no better place to experience it than with DJ MikeQ and his friends at this spectacular vogue ball in Bushwick. Catch dancers showing off their cat walks, duck walks, dips and hands to win cash prizes, just be mindful of the space you take up and be sure to give participants plenty of space to werk. In addition to five competitive categories, this Pride edition features performances from Koppi Mizrahi and Ash B.
Mapplethorpe
Few photographers have obtained the mythic stature of Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989), whose style imparted an austere, almost brutal, beauty to controversial subject matter. Mapplethorpe’s large-format, black-and-white photos (produced, more often than not, within the controlled environs of a studio) reflected his life as a gay artist working in the Downtown demimonde of post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS new York—a period when the utopian promise of sexual liberation gave way to the fear of plague. Indeed, Mapplethorpe seemed to find a connection between eros and thanatos in almost all of his photos, from floral still-lives to homoerotic celebrations of the male body. Those images and more are recalled in this two-part retrospective marking the 30th anniversary of the his death.
Out to Climb
Brooklyn Boulders invites guests to climb its rainbow route, with a donation to the Ali Forney Center for every selfie posted at the summit. Head to both the Brooklyn and Queens locations for totally wild Pride celebrations, boasting drag queen acro yoga, sunset sun salutations, flower crown making and pop-up shops.
Kweendom
Yes Gawd! At his monthly queer comedy throwdown, pop-culture maven Bobby Hankinson hosts some of his favorite queer comedians and performers for songs, sketches and stories.
Folsom Street East
Celebrate kink-and-fetish freedom at the annual leathery street fair, modeled on the massive Folsom Street fest in San Francisco. You'll be able to show off your filthiest look, shop wares and catch drag performances and lose it to pulsing DJ sets.
Queer/Art/Film
IFC's always-excellent queer viewing series roars back with a killer 2019 season. The summer season promises a high camp showcase worthy of World Pride, with screenings of Split, Death Becomes Her, Thank God It's Friday and 9 to 5.
Ruffhouse: Folsom Prison
Ruffhouse is a monthly gear and underwear party.
Lunes Picantes
Among this club night’s selling points are host Laura Martinez, DJs Freddy and Joss, tequila drink specials and sexy sombrero-wearing bartenders. There’s no better place in town to shake to reggaetón and cumbia.
Homotown
Head to Henrietta Hudson every Thursday for a seemingly endless happy hour (till midnight, seriously) and chill jams from veteran DJ Tikka Masala, who keeps you grinning all night with beloved soul and hip-hop classics.
“Fire Island Pines: Polaroids 1975-1983”
During the 1970s, one of New York’s many gay golden ages, photographer Tom Bianchi captured love, sex and freedom among gay men in the paradise retreat of Fire Island. This show exhibits Bianchi’s white-hot Polaroids from his new printed collection.
Best gay clubs and parties in NYC
Check out the best gay club nights and parties in NYC
LGBT parties in NYC offer something for everyone, from relaxed, mixed shindigs to sweaty dance throwdowns