Celebrate TheyGay's Festive Array, Observe World AIDS Day, Run Outside in a Speedo, Cheer With Sapphics
The year may be winding down, but Southeast Michigan’s queer calendar isn't. If you're in need of big WLW energy, a variety show with endless surprises or a charitable excuse to jog (OK, maybe walk quickly) in very little clothing, we've found multiple possibilities for lifting your spirits. Let's join in for a little queer coziness, a little queer rowdiness and some encouragement to step away from your SAD lamp for at least an evening.
1. Celebrate with TheyGay's Festive Array
TheyGay's motto is "bringing queer Detroit together through sports, clubs and social events," and their Whatsapp community delivers with chats focused on books, baking, “gayming” and more.
Up next? TheyGay's first Friendsgiving Potluck in Ferndale over Thanksgiving weekend. If your vibe leans more Delightfully Dubious Choices in Wardrobe and Gift Giving, check out their White Elephant/Ugly Sweater party the next week. Or don't choose! As a queer/trans person under fascism, perhaps you need both.
Friendsgiving Potluck. Nov. 27, 4 p.m., Jim's Community Corner (22757 Woodward Ave., Ferndale). White Elephant/Ugly Sweater Party, Dec. 9, time and location via Whatsapp group (join through link on Instagram bio). instagram.com/theygaydetroit.
2. Revel in Hamtramck’s All-Queer Variety Mayhem
Hamtramck Is Gay! is an LGBTQIA+ all-queer-cast variety show hosted each month at the Ghost Light Bar inside the Planet Ant complex by transgender antifolk hero Dahmer's Breakfast. December's lineup features drag by Michigan's own Porcelain Princess, Bentley James, some Detroit doom punk with Vampfire Cowgirl, and — of course — the very best in clown street performance with Notso The Clown.
If Michigan is wishing for the next queer Renaissance (and aren't we all), Hamtramck Is Gay is leading the charge.
Dec. 1, 7 p.m., Ghost Light Bar (2314 Caniff St., Hamtramck). bit.ly/hamisgay.
3. Dash (or Freeze) for a Good Cause
Strip down or dress up and joyfully make your way through the Michigan cold in your skivvies. First up is the 8th Annual Detroit Santa Speedo Run on Sunday, Dec. 7, where Detroit's bravest runners will race through downtown in nothing but Speedos and holiday cheer to benefit The Greening of Detroit and the Ruth Ellis Center. Dec. 7, 1 p.m., Checker Bar (124 Cadillac Square, Detroit). greeningofdetroit.com.
If one scantily-clad run isn't enough, don't miss The Naughty or Nice Dash benefiting Lansing Pride. Come in your best festive gear (or the bare minimum) and jog, trot or power-walk your way from Brenke Fish Ladder to Turner Dodge House and back. Warm up afterward with a bar crawl boasting drink specials for racers. Dec. 13, 2 p.m., Brenke Fish Ladder (216 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing) lansingpride.org.
4. Cheer with Sapphics on the Sidelines
The Midwest Sapphic Society is serving WLW sports-rom-com energy for this night designed exclusively for lesbians, queer women and sapphic-aligned nonbinary folks. DJ Nouveau kicks off the evening, facilitating pre-game music bingo with a happy-hour vibe, then folks settle into viewing mode as the Lions prepare to take down the Dallas Cowboys.
Expect joyful flirtation swirled into pigskin fandom, cozy winter outfits and the comfort of a space with zero cis male energy. Whether you're there for the football or the queer people yelling at the football, it’s guaranteed serotonin.
Dec. 4, 6–11 p.m., Detroit Fleat (1820 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale). bit.ly/sotsl.
5. Honor Lives and Take Action This World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day falls on December 1, honoring those we've lost to AIDS-related illnesses and supporting people living with HIV. Southeast Michigan offers several opportunities to gather and recommit to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Monday, Dec. 1
Oakland County's World AIDS Day Observance. Speakers, Sing Out Detroit performance, candlelight vigil and AIDS Memorial Quilt display. 6-8 p.m., Ferndale First United Methodist Church (22331 Woodward Ave., Ferndale).
Unity in Numbers. The World AIDS Day Community Committee presents community resources, speakers, performances and food food and panels from AIDS Memorial quilt on display.. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Corner Ballpark (1680 Michigan Ave., Detroit).
Saturday, Dec. 7
Rituals Of Love Brunch. Honoring women of color and local entertainers affected by HIV/AIDS. 2 p.m., Matrix Human Services (13560 E. McNichols Road, Detroit).
Bonus: Trade Talents in a Queer Skill Exchange
As we move into hunker-down season, it's the perfect time to start a Queer Skill Swap with friends and chosen family. We all have knowledge worth sharing, and now is the perfect time to teach the folks you care about the useful, delightful or perhaps extremely specific practical know-how you carry with you.
Maybe your friend can repair a binder, you can coach someone through flirting in the wild and another person can teach soup-making for sad weeks. Rotate teachers, assign silly certificates and build a community of queer competence and joy. This is mutual aid disguised as a hangout, which may well be the purest form of queer magic.
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