Listen on Spotify
You did it. You survived another week of capitalist nonsense, emotional weather whiplash, and, depending on your luck, a few existential spirals while staring at your group texts. But now it’s Monday, and you’re officially entering your Slay Era: Extra Glitter Edition.
And speaking of slay… did you SEE Lady Gaga’s surprise appearance during Bad Bunny’s halftime show?! We screamed. We cried. We transcended the astral plane. The queers won the Super Bowl, even if your bracket didn’t. Also, we’re reclaiming football as performance art now, thanks.
So grab your glitter mug, scream into a pillow, kiss a mirror, or text your favorite chaos muppet, we’re back with another dose of weekly queer joy, connection, and community magic.
SLAY OF THE WEEK: Pittsburgh LesbiYinz & Lesbi Friends
This week’s slay belongs to the sapphics, specifically, Pittsburgh LesbiYinz and Lesbi Friends, two thriving, welcoming groups that have created beautiful corners of queer community here in the ‘Burgh.
LesbiYinz brings a calendar packed with events like game nights, movie meetups, and parent groups, all run by sapphics, for sapphics. And if you don’t see what you need? You can start your own group, and they’ll help you do it.
Lesbi Friends, meanwhile, operates through a GroupMe chat with over 680 members, an admin team of seven, and a shared event calendar powered by the community itself. From brunches and book clubs to bowling and karaoke, if you’ve been waiting to find your sapphic crew, they’re here.
Both groups are open to lesbians, bi & pan women, nonbinary folks, and all who vibe with the sapphic umbrella. Relationship status? Doesn’t matter. Labels? Optional. If you’re sapphic and seeking connection, these crews have saved you a seat.
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.
advertisement
Coming Soon: QBurgh’s Pittsburgh Pride Magazine
We’re thrilled to share that QBurgh’s Pittsburgh Pride Magazine is coming your way this spring. It’s a glossy, gorgeous, unapologetically queer celebration of the people, places, and power shaping LGBTQ+ life in Pittsburgh. Think stunning photography, local legends, fresh voices, and all the Pride you can handle and then some.
Want it delivered right to your door? Become a monthly QBurgh supporter at $5/month or more, and you’ll receive issues of QBurgh Magazine in the mail as a thank-you gift because community journalism thrives when community members show up.
Every dollar helps fund local queer stories, preserve our history, and amplify voices that deserve the mic.
Become a monly QBurgh supporter at QBurgh.com/support →
QUEER JOY IN THE WORLD: Practice Makes Passionate
Tired of swiping and ghosting? So is Josh Butcher, the queer creative behind Make Out Club, Pittsburgh’s alternative to dating app burnout. Part speed-dating, part social experiment, part queer magic, Make Out Club isn’t just about kissing (though, hey, it could be). It’s about connection… awkward, bold, imperfect, joyful connection.
Hosted monthly at Field Day in Lawrenceville, Make Out Club welcomes folks of all genders and sexualities to show up, show out, and maybe get a little flirty (or just make a new friend). The vibe? Low pressure, high curiosity. Think small group prompts, space for rejection without shame, and a delightful touch of chaos.
As Josh puts it, “You’re at kissy, kissy night.” And that’s exactly the kind of queer weirdness the world needs more of.
The next Make Out Club is Thursday, February 19, 2026. Don’t bring your dating app, just bring your whole, glorious self.
QUEER RECOMMENDATION: ‘Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar’ by Anahita Karthik
Need a serotonin boost? Hop in the car with Krishna Kumar, a bi disaster on a mission to finally get her first kiss in this laugh-out-loud, heart-squeeze of a rom-com by debut author Anahita Karthik. With college on the horizon and a flirty text from her summer crush, Krishna sets out across India to crash a wedding and seal the deal… but instead finds herself catching feelings for someone totally unexpected.
Road trips, cousin chaos, unexpected queer joy, and a bisexual lead who’s messy in the best ways? Yes, yes, and absolutely yes. Think To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Bollywood drama with extra heart.
Borrow it for free from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh or digitally on the Libby app. It’s cute, it’s queer, and it’s exactly what your February heart needs.
THE AGENDA: Your Queer Week, Queued Up
Snow? Stress? Super Bowl fatigue? Shake it off with this week’s queer happenings that’ll warm your heart, feed your mind, and give your book-loving soul a big cozy hug.
Monday Night Fever
Monday, February 9 @ 11:00 pm at P Town
Start your week like a star at this glitter-drenched drag showcase hosted by the electrifying Kaydence McQueen. High fashion, fierce talent, and late-night drama? Yeah, we’re in.
More info →
Civics Cypher: How the Arts Community Responds to Government Action
Tuesday, February 10 @ 6:00 pm at Kelly Strayhorn Theater
Want to know how art and activism go hand in hand? Come through for real talk with Miracle Jones of 1Hood Media and QBurgh, Patrick Fisher from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, plus live performances from Tone and Michael Smalls. Civic engagement, but make it community-powered, creative, and queer.
More info →
Silent Book Club with Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation
Tuesday, February 10 @ 6:30 pm
Read in peaceful, proud company. No assigned books, no pressure — just bring whatever you’re reading and enjoy quiet time with fellow LGBTQ+ book lovers.
More info →
And remember, this is just the glitter on top, check out the full LGBTQ+ community calendar at QBurgh.com/events for even more ways to connect this week. There’s a lot going on!
More events this week →
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
Whether you’ve been out there organizing a sapphic board game night, dodging your ex at the bar, or simply surviving late-stage capitalism one deep breath at a time, we see you. Life is chaos, but queer joy? That’s our rebellion.
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.
Take your meds, drink some water, text that friend back, and remember: your softness is power, your weirdness is sacred, and your love, however messy it may be, is still holy.
Keep it queer. Keep it cute. Keep slaying.
Talk soon.