Each party is also a community fundraiser, with funds going to a different social justice organization or recipient each month. It’s also to, as the website notes, “dance, sweat, make connections, be silly or sexy and have a blast.” Ships strives to make their parties accessible to queers and people of color and to highlight their talent as DJs and performers. At Hella Gay, the onus is on music-organizers and DJs strive to incorporate new tunes into each set. If you want to fill up your dance card on other Saturdays, boogie over to one of Oakland’s many thriving queer dance parties, such as Hella Gay, which is on the third Saturday of the month at the Uptown, or Ships in the Night on the first Saturday of the month at The New Parish. And word to the wise: though you may look strapping in leather boots, a tall hat and full-sleeved shirt, I’d advise you to wear light and loose clothing-it gets hot in there.ĭon’t miss Oakland’s Hella Gay Dance Party Be sure to come early to learn the basics and the steps for a line dance, or come later for the dance itself if you’re a seasoned pro. When Kelsey and two of our friends went, I was expertly spun around the room by many a gallant butch and svelte cowgirl, even though I’d never two-stepped in my life. You don’t need experience or even a partner for this hoedown-in fact, the instructors encourage (politely force) you to dance with as many different people as possible throughout the night. Women-loving women who want to get moving, should strap on their boots and try tapping their toes at Texas Rose, a queer women and trans-inclusive country two-step and line dancing night that happens on the second Saturday of the month at Lake Merritt Dance Center.

If you’re the kind of person who loves to paint the town rainbow, then check out these options.

Though Kelsey and I enjoy a good Netflix-and-chill night as much as anyone, that’s hard to do in Oakland because “the Town” is bursting with diverse and engaging nightlife events for queer folks of any activity level and persuasion. Not long after, I met my girlfriend Kelsey, the girl I would cross the damn bridge for, and have been a proud Oaklander ever since.

Gay bears telegram