Each year, Pittsburgh City Paper invites its readers to weigh in on the city’s standout people, places, and businesses across a wide range of categories, from nightlife and fashion to health and community service. In this year’s Best of Pittsburgh reader poll, announced on Wednesday, members of the region’s LGBTQ+ community were recognized in impressive numbers, reflecting both the vibrancy and visibility of queer life in the city today.
This year’s list of honorees shows that LGBTQ+ Pittsburgh isn’t just participating in the region’s cultural life, it’s shaping it.
Topping the list in the Best Drag Performer category was Anemia Blunt, a familiar and beloved name in Pittsburgh’s drag scene. Blunt was joined by fellow performers Dixie Surewood and Snoozy Q, who placed second and third respectively.
In fashion, Lydia Butthole Kollins, Pittsburgh’s draling and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, was awarded Best Fashion Designer, celebrated for her self-made, horror-inspired looks. Kollins also placed first in the Best TV Personality Under 30 category, demonstrating her growing influence both on-screen and off.
Visual artists also had a strong showing. Happy Lil Canvases took home two titles, Best Cartoonist/Illustrator and Best Visual Artist – Digital Media, for their colorful, often queer-centered work. QBurgh’s Ava Grace placed second in Best Creative Photographer – Portraiture/Fashion, and Rachel Ann Bovier, a queer poet and performer, earned the top spot in Best Poet. QBugh’s Maya Lovro placed third for Best Wedding Photographer.
Outside of the arts, queer organizations made their mark in categories focused on sports, social life, and advocacy.
Queer Scouts, an LGBTQ+ climbing group based at Ascend Gym, was awarded Best Sports Club. More than just an outdoor adventure crew, Queer Scouts focuses on creating accessible spaces for QTBIPOC and other underrepresented climbers, including through monthly affinity sessions and free after-hours events.
In the Best Social Justice Organization category, Bellevue Pride and SisTerS PGH placed second and third respectively, highlighting the ongoing efforts of LGBTQ+ organizers in both suburban and city spaces.
Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ bars and clubs were also shined. Blue Moon in Lawrenceville won Best LGBTQ Bar, with 5801 Video Lounge and P Town Bar following. 5801 was further recognized for its weekly trivia events hosted by Trivia Jockeys, which won Best Trivia Host, and karaoke nights with Eddieokee at Blue Moon earned second in Best Karaoke Spot.
Other nightlife shoutouts included Mary’s , a queer-owned bar that won third Best New Bar and Lucky’s (The Real Luck Café), voted Best Strip Club.
Recognition extended to LGBTQ-led and LGBTQ-inclusive businesses across health and wellness as well.
Inclusive Aesthetics was named Best Medical Spa, while Oak & Ivy Holistic Wellness Spa placed third in the Best Day Spa category. Ascend Climbing Gym, which hosts Queer Scouts, also took third for Best Fitness Center.
In the Best Health Advocacy Group category, both Central Outreach Wellness Center and Allies for Health + Wellbeing were acknowledged. These organizations continue to provide crucial care and services to the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in HIV prevention and affirming medical access.
Entrepreneurship was another area where LGBTQ Pittsburgh shined. Katie Sirianni, founder of Love, Katie Distilling in Sharpsburg, won Best LGBTQ Entrepreneur, praised for her commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive space for queer community and craft beverage lovers alike. Luna Skye of S&S Productions and Dan Burda of Studio Raw Elite followed in second and third place.
Whether behind the bar, on the stage, or out in the woods, Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community continues to build, connect, and lead. The wide representation across City Paper’s 2025 poll is a reflection not only of the community’s creativity and care, but also of how deeply queer people are woven into the cultural fabric of the city.
Even the Fruit Loop and the Cathedral of Learning made the list (IYKYK). Check out the full list!
