Moving to a brand new city can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting. Whether you’re unpacking in a dorm room at Pitt, starting graduate school at Carnegie Mellon, or heading to Point Park University from across the country, one thing is certain: you don’t have to figure Pittsburgh out alone.
Here’s how to stay informed, find community, and make the most of queer Pittsburgh.
I’m new here. Where do I start?
Rest assured, you do not need to know anyone before arriving. Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community is welcoming, and not confined to one specific “gayborhood.” Instead, it’s spread across neighborhoods, each with their own unique offerings.
The best way to get involved is to start with recurring events and following community calendars. The QBurgh community calendar and our weekly “What’s Queer & Going On” newsletter are good first stops for finding what’s happening each week.
Where do people hang out?
If you’re looking for a place to start, check out the QMNTY Center. The QMNTY Center offers everything from support groups and workshops to fitness classes, social events, and even a thrift shop, making it an easy way to meet new people outside of your campus setting.
College students are always in need of caffeine, and I can’t recommend The Soft Spot Coffee enough. This sapphic, sober spot in Garfield is lesbian-owned and has quickly become one of the most popular gathering spots for the Pittsburgh queer community. Along with serving coffee and pastries, the café regularly hosts pop-up events, workshops, and community gatherings.
If you’re a sporty type, Stonewall Sports is the place for you. The national organization is an LGBTQ & Ally community-based, non-profit sports organization. Here in Pittsburgh, they offer kickball, dodgeball, bocce, bowling, sand volleyball, yoga, ultimate frisbee, and pickleball. Even if you’ve never played a sport in your life but just want to find a community of other LGBTQ+ folks while getting some exercise, Stonewall Sports is the place for you!
Looking to support local LGBTQ+ shops? The city has many worth checking out. Browse books at White Whale Bookstore in Bloomfield, which regularly hosts LGBTQ+ authors and events. Hunt for unique treasures at Collarbone Jewelry’s shop on Butler Street in Lawrenceville and Maude’s Paperwing Gallery in Millvale.
For those 21+, the city offers almost every slice of nightlife you could ask for. Dance the night away at 5801 Video Lounge and Bar, see amazing drag performances at Blue Moon or P Town Bar, or visit Harold’s Haunt, a queer-owned “they-bar” known for its inclusive atmosphere and creative cocktails and events. And don’t miss long-time LGBTQ Pittsburgh staples the Real Luck Cafe (call it Lucky’s and bring cash) and Brewers, Pittsburgh’s oldest gay bar. For the adventurous, check out Club Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh’s bath house with amazing late-night and afters parties.
For a directory of LGBTQ+ businesses and organizations, check out QBurgh’s Pittsburgh Pink Pages.
I don’t drink. Can I still meet people?
Absolutely. While Pittsburgh has a vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, some of the strongest queer communities are built around shared hobbies, volunteerism, and recurring social events.
Keep an eye out for coffee meetups, book clubs, game nights, crafting events, hiking groups, and community picnics. Groups like Pittsburgh LesbiYinz host a variety of alcohol-free events throughout the year, and many local organizations organize gatherings that are open to anyone looking to meet new people.
For volunteer opportunities, check out Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, which is focused on improving the Health of the LGBTQ+ and HIV Communities. They host a variety of events throughout the year that can help you get involved and have volunteer opportunities throughout the week.
Similarly, Shepherd Wellness Community is a HIV/AIDS community. They have been serving the Pittsburgh community for over 35 years and offer a variety of volunteer opportunities from cooking dinner to bingo nights.
Gay for Good Pittsburgh partners with a non-LGBTQ organization every month on a volunteer project; a great way to switch it up.
One of the easiest ways to find activities and events that are not centered around drinking is by checking the QBurgh Community Calendar. Whether you’re interested in trivia, yoga, live music, art markets, or film screenings, chances are there’s an LGBTQ+ event happening somewhere in the city.
Are you a fine art lover? Look no further.
Pittsburgh is often known for its wide variety of museums. Of course, we have your classic natural history, children’s, and art museums. To highlight a couple of especially LGBTQ+ friendly museums, look no further than The Warhol and The Mattress Factory.
As some of you may know, Pittsburgh is the birthplace of Andy Warhol. Located on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, the Warhol features work from Warhol and is one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world and the largest in North America. While some of your universities already offer a student discount to The Warhol, the museum itself offers half-priced admission on Fridays after 5 pm.
The Mattress Factory offers a very unique experience to visitors. The museum features installations, video, and performance art. The philosophy of the museum allows the artists to design site-specific art that is often one of a kind by nature.
If you attend Carnegie Mellon University, Point Park University, CCAC Allegheny Campus, or the University of Pittsburgh Main Campus, you are lucky enough to get free admission to the museum!
Want to get involved in arts and entertainment? True T PGH celebrates Queer People of Color through Creative Art, Entertainment, Community Resource Sharing, and Activism.
The Pittsburgh Pride Choir is Western Pennsylvania’s premier LGBTQIA+ and allies choral group, celebrating diversity and fostering inclusivity through the power of music.
As the region’s only choir dedicated to uplifting the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies, Pittsburgh Pride Choir brings together individuals from all walks of life to perform a wide range of music that resonates with the spirit of equality, love, and community. You can learn about auditioning here.
I’m nervous about going to events alone. Is that normal?
Yes, that’s normal. Most people at these events are also looking to meet new people, so don’t be afraid to say hello; you never know where it may take you.
Attending alone is also a great way to get to know yourself better. If you aren’t feeling like staying, it’s okay to leave after 30 minutes; you’re the one calling the shots.
Also, following the organization first on Instagram beforehand may help the event feel more familiar before you go.
Where can I find LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare?
Your physical and mental health and wellbeing are vitally important. Your campus student health center offers a variety of services. For LGBTQ+ focused and competent care, check in with Central Outreach Wellness Center, Allies for Health + Wellbeing, and Metro Community Health Center.
They all offer a range of services including free STI testing, HIV testing and treatment, PrEP, Hep C testing, transgender care, mental health, the vaccine and treatment for mpox, and more.
They’ll get you fixed up and back out there.
AIDS Free Pittsburgh also offers a resource finder.
For your safety
For many, new or returning students, this might be your first time in a city or urban environment. While Pittsburgh is welcoming of our LGBTQ+ community, we must also be vigilant about our safety in these tumultuous times.
QBurgh has compiled some safety tips to follow to keep you and your friends safe while exploring our wonderful city.
Good Luck!
There’s no doubt that once you move to the city and get settled in, you will pave your own way and find your own community in the most unexpected ways.
These resources are there to get you started and to fill in the gaps, or maybe to come back to once you’ve exhausted other options. But never forget that they are there.
There is a great, big, diverse, inviting, friendly, strong community waiting for you in Pittsburgh, and we can’t wait to meet you!
Queer student first semester checklist:
- Attend one community event.
- Visit a local LGBTQ+ organization.
- Explore a neighborhood outside your campus.
- Ask a health care provider about PrEP and STI testing.
- Acquire condoms, dental dams, and lube.
- See a drag show or another queer performance.
- Find one recurring group you’d like to return to.