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Happy Monday, babe! You’ve officially made it through January, and we don’t want to overstate things, but… you’re basically a queer legend for surviving that mess.
The vibes? Improving. The daylight? Expanding. The groundhog? TBD, but we vote for six more weeks of gay rights regardless. February is here, and it’s giving fresh start energy… but like, the gentle kind. The kind where you stretch in bed a little longer, drink your coffee while dreaming big queer dreams, and maybe text your bestie something unhinged before 9 am.
This week, we’re claiming joy. Not perfection. Just joy, in all its weird, wonderful, slow-burning ways.
So let’s shake off the winter cobwebs and step into our Slay Era. You ready?
SLAY OF THE WEEK: The Soft Spot
This week’s slay goes out to The Soft Spot, a sapphic, sober café space blooming in Garfield under the leadership of “Lesbian in Charge” Aerin Adams.
More than just a cute hangout, The Soft Spot is a vision for a safer, softer, more intentional space where queer folks can gather, rest, caffeinate, and connect. Born out of frustration with rising violence and the lack of affirming options, Aerin and many others are building something radically different where comfort is resistance.
With soft lighting, arm wrestling tournaments, poetry readings, and strong coffee on the menu, The Soft Spot is a vibe, a mission, and a future. It’s still under construction, but the dream is already thriving.
Watch the full “When” episode to see how this space is being built, not just in bricks, but in love, intention, and radical queer care.
SHARE YOUR JOY
Did something gay and glorious happen this week?
✨ You wore your first binder out in public
✨ You finally asked them out (and they said yes)
✨ You slayed at karaoke
✨ You felt cute at Giant Eagle
✨ You just felt seen
We wanna hear it! Send us your queer joy, big or small, and we might feature it in next week’s issue. Because your joy? That’s newsworthy too.
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QUEER JOY IN THE WORLD: The future is bright — and Allies is looking for it.
Allies for Health + Wellbeing is officially accepting nominations for their 2026 class of Bright Young People, a constellation of queer and trans excellence, creative brilliance, and community leadership across southwestern PA.
Since launching the program in 2022, Allies has honored 43 incredible changemakers who are reshaping our world through art, activism, career impact, and everyday kindness. This year’s honorees will be celebrated at the grand opening of Allies’ new East Liberty offices on May 15 and at a special Bright Young People mixer on April 17.
Know someone slaying in their lane and making real change? Nominations are open now through Friday, February 13, so go gas your people up. Because queer joy isn’t just what we feel, it’s what we build.
QUEER RECOMMENDATION: The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay by Ryan Douglass
If you’ve ever read The Great Gatsby and thought, “This would slap if it were queer, Black, and actually said something about the world,” then this one’s for you.
In this bold reimagining by Ryan Douglass (New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston), we meet Nick Carrington, a seventeen-year-old chasing ambition and wrestling with heartbreak as he enters the glittering but corrupt halls of West Egg Academy. What starts as a new beginning quickly unravels into a storm of secrets, power, and forbidden love… with Jay Gatsby Jr. at the heart of it all.
Set against the backdrop of Harlem and Greenwood, this story brings together tender queerness, biting critique, and characters who refuse to stay silent. It’s moody, gorgeous, and sharp, just how we like our February reads.
Borrow it for FREE through the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh or digitally on Libby. Let’s make the TBR gay again.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Explore the Q Archives
History isn’t dusty, it’s fierce, fabulous, and finally at your fingertips.
The Q Archives is QBurgh’s living, breathing digital portal into Pittsburgh’s rich LGBTQ history with decades of queer publications, photographs, and memories, finally being brought out of storage and into the light.
From vintage issues of Pittsburgh Gay News (1973), Gay Life Pittsburgh (1977), and Pittsburgh’s Out (1979–2012), to snaps of Pride parades, pageants, softball leagues, and legendary queer clubs, the Q Archives brings together the beautiful chaos of our community’s past.
It’s searchable, open to all, and always growing, with more issues digitized and uploaded every month. You don’t need a library card, a login, or a university ID. Just Wi-Fi and curiosity.
Support the project and help preserve queer Pittsburgh for generations to come by donating to the GoFundMe campaign. Every dollar helps us scan, label, and love this history into permanence.
THE QUEER AGENDA: Events This Week
Your queer week, scheduled and slay-ready. Don’t forget to double-check with organizers for last-minute changes, especially in winter’s unpredictable mood swings.
Tuesday, February 3 @ 6:30–8:00 PM
Pride Millvale Planning Meeting
Join the crew shaping one of the most joyful, grassroots Pride events in the region. If you’ve got ideas, energy, or just wanna be in the room, you’re welcome.
More info →
Tuesday, February 3 @ 7:00–9:00 PM
Mimic’s Market Board Game Night @ Harold’s Haunt
First Tuesdays = dice, strategy, awkward flirting over card shuffling, and queer joy in dim lighting. Bring your game face (and maybe a snack to share?).
More info →
Thursday, February 5 @ 9:00 PM
Steel Carabiner @ Blue Moon Bar
It’s giving sapphic power, dyke disco, and full lesbian appreciation realness. Expect vibes, dancing, and at least one carabiner accessory sighting.
More info →
More events this week →
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
We’ve got queer history in our hearts, hot coffee in our hands, and just enough sparkle to slay this cold February week.
Here’s how to keep the magic going:
- Submit your queer joy → email us at slay@qburgh.com
- Forward this to your work crush
- Tag @QBurgh on Instagram with your Monday slay.
Whether you’re planning Pride, gaming with the gays, or just staying soft and sapphic at the café, remember that rest is resistance and your joy is powerful.
Keep showing up, keep being loud about love, and keep building the world you deserve.
Talk soon.