Filthy Dykes, BIPOC Rock Camp, Seattle Black Film Festival & More — Events for 2SLGBTQIA+ & People of the Global Majority (May 2026)
…But First, Some Quick April Highlights
Hello, My Cuties, Sweeties, Baddies, and Daddies! April was a busy one, eh? What did you get into? The pockets of sunshine recharged my social battery, and we channeled queer joy:
Made it back to Sex Trivia hosted by the Papaya Project… and our team won! (My prize was a Vesper vibrating necklace.) Their Stoup Capitol Hill trivia night draws a most-queer crowd. Dog-friendly brewery with gender neutral bathrooms and BYO-food. Mark your calendars for the next Sex Trivia on May 13th, fundraising for Dykes on Bikes.
Caught another Butch Dyke Strip Night in Portland. Mouthwatering performances and some partial nudity. Not bad for a Sunday brunch.
Wandered around Northeast Portland and wrote up A Queer Travel Guide for Northeast Portland’s Historically Black Neighborhoods.
Mae Martin @ The Neptune was understated and hilarious. Had to nap before their 9:45pm sold-out show 🤦🏽♀️ but I enjoyed the set — including some improv and original songs. Snagged a single ticket in a row of three and definitely third-wheeled a date… right after getting third-wheeled on a mini-date before the show?! Vibes.
The next day, Jonathan Van Ness was serving c*nt and wit in a gorgeous glittery pink bodycon dress at their Hot & Healed Tour at the Moore Theater.
Okay, April send off is complete and we’re ready to dig into May events. As always, we’re centering Black, Brown and Indigenous folx (*), 2SLGBTQIA+ (**), Queer, Trans, and Non-Binary People of the Global Majority (***), and other underrepresented communities.
May 2026 Events in Seattle
May 1st —
Seattle Black Film Festival @ Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute *
Erotic Art Festival @ Seattle Center Exhibition Hall (6pm-12am)
José Gonzalez: Against the Dying of the Light Tour @ Showbox Sodo (7pm doors) *
The Listening Room: Mary J. Blige “My Life” Penthouse Series candlelit vinyl listening party @ Hotel Sorrento (5:30-8:30pm) *
May 2nd —
Seattle Black Film Festival @ Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute *
Coffeetón 1 Year Anniversary @ Café Calaveras (2-5pm) shots de espresso y perreo intenso *
Cryptid Cutie Market @ Charlie’s Queer Books (2-8pm) *
Dumbo Gets Mad with Dante Elephante @ Baba Yaga *
Erotic Art Festival @ Seattle Center (12pm-1am) 🍬
Flicker: Queer Film Fest @ North Bend Theatre (2-4pm and 7-9pm) **
Polyamory Breakdown @ The Kink Center (11am-2pm)
Snow Tha Product: Before I Crashout tour @ Showbox Sodo *
Tacoma Lit Fest @ Tacoma Armory (12-6pm)
The Date Night: Intimacy Series featuring LIVt and Goddess Briq House @ Milli (7pm) Real conversations, good energy, curious people, hosted by Haus of Hue. “If you’re looking for a different night out, this is it.” ***
May 3rd —
Aquí Mercado @ The 101 (11am-5pm) 30+ Latin/POC/LGBTQ+ vendors *
Fiesta! Fiesta! Brunch! @ The Stonehouse Cafe (10am-2pm) *
Seattle Black Film Festival @ Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute — free public access to all screenings and events on Sunday *
Seattle Black Film Festival Closing Night Kick-Back @ Metier Brewing (6pm, free) *
Erotic Art Festival @ Seattle Center (12-4pm)
May 4th — TJ Klune with Milo Michels: ‘We Burned So Bright’ @ Third Place Books Lake Forest Park (7-8:30pm, sign-up required) **
May 6th —
Kinky Crafting @ the Kink Center (7-9pm)
Lesbian Culture Family Gathering @ Hamsa Arabic Cafe & Bistro Seattle (5-7pm, all ages) *
Rick Ross with the Seattle Symphony @ Benaroya Hall (7:30pm) *
The Queer Agenda @ Chop Suey (8pm) a live comedy/dating show **
The Sweat Out, a sauna and cold plunge night for the queers — hosted by Haus of Hue, Sauna Moon Seattle, and Alki Beach Pride (6:30-9:30pm) ***
May 7th —
Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans 2 Tour @ Neptune Theater (8pm) **
Queer Matchmaking @ Roam (7-10pm) hosted by Thursday Seattle **
May 8th — Filthy Dyke: Kink & Cruising Party @ The High Water Mark (9pm-1am) **
May 9th —
Frankie Quinones comedy show @ Neptune Theater (7:30pm) *
Kabal Briar ‘Mouthy’ author event @ Charlie’s Queer Books (7-8pm) ***
Moss & Melanin: Intergenerational Black Women’s Hiking Trip hosted by Black Coffee Northwest @ Twin Falls Trailhead (12pm meetup)
Seattle World’s Vintage Fair @ Seattle Center
May 10th —
BIPOC Rope Jam @ The Kink Center (6:30-8:30pm) *
In, Of & From: an art workshop on identity, place and the meaning of belonging @ The Fishbowl (3-6pm) ***
May 12th —
Adam Ray as Dr. Phil w/ Marshawn Lynch @ Neptune Theater (7pm doors) *
Figure It Out @ Vermillion Bar (6pm social and free dance performance, 7pm figure drawing) proceeds donated to Lifelong Washington **
Queer Book Fair @ The Q Center at UW, HUB Room 315 (11am-5pm) old-school book fair with Charlie’s Queer Books **
Sip for a Cause: GSBA Pride Event @ WeRise Wine Bar (4pm) ***
May 15th — Masked Queer Line Dancing @ The Kink Center (8pm-10pm) this is not a kink event, masks required **
May 16th —
Heated Rivalry Embroidery Class hosted by PNW Loons @ Charlie’s Queer Books (1-4pm) **
Monet X Change: High Heels & Bad Knees Tour @ Neptune Theater ***
Lesbian/Queer Owner + Pet Look Alike Contest @ Cal Anderson Park (3pm) hosted by Lezztalkaboutit… “Are you gay and twinning with your pet?”
Spring R&B High Tea presented by Blend Coffee and Kicks & Food with Roots @ Elements Apartments Bellevue (11am-3pm) *
May 17th —
La Santa Cecelia with The Cumbieros @ Nectar Lounge (7pm) *
Perreo sin Permiso: Latin Day Party @ Vue Lounge (3-10pm) *
Masked Kinky Crafting @ The Kink Center (2-4pm, masks required)
May 19th — Portrait of a Lady on Fire @ Northwest Film Forum, presented by Lezztalkaboutit (7pm) **
May 23rd — WIG: A Pre Pride Month Drag Showcase @ 4527 Rainier Ave S (6pm) **
May 23-25th — Rain City BIPOC Adult Rock Camp, learn everything you need to play in a band, in one long weekend! (Sliding scale tix available) *
May 24th — Meg Thee Stallion & Paint @ Paint The Town Seattle (7-9pm) hosted by Girl Therapy Seattle *
May 28th —
Queer Beer Comedy Night @ Aslan Brewing Fremont (7:30pm) **
Spicy Queer Speed Dating @ Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill (7pm) hosted by the Papaya Project **
May 29th — Between Borders & Belonging: Closing and Community Circle @ The Fishbowl (6-8pm) details coming soon *
Summer Events Preview
June 1st — Taking Back Taking: A Touch Lab for Trans Femmes & Thems @ The Kink Center (6-8:30pm) **
June 4th — First Thursday Night Market @ Gallery Erato (6-9pm) during the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square
June 6th — Charlie’s Queer Book Fair 2026, Day 1 @ Charlie’s Queer Books (11am-6pm) **
June 7th — Charlie’s Queer Book Fair 2026, Day 2 @ Charlie’s Queer Books (11am-4pm) **
June 8th — Taking Back Taking: A Touch Lab for Trans Femmes & Thems @ The Kink Center (6-8:30pm) **
June 13th —
Pride Flash Event @ Dying Wish Tattoo (11am-7pm) proceeds going to the Lavender Rights Project, a Black Trans feminist organization committed to dismantling oppressive systems that disproportionately harm Black communities **
Tig Notaro: Out of Nowhere Tour @ Woodland Park Zoo (sold out!) **
June 14th — BIPOC Rope Jam @ The Kink Center (6:30-8:30pm) *
June 15th — Taking Back Taking: A Touch Lab for Trans Femmes & Thems @ The Kink Center (6-8:30pm) **
June 18th — The 5th Annual History of Black Drag in Portland presented by Race Talks (details coming soon) ***
July 11th — Queer Cruise hosted by Queer Cute and Let Her Cook (11pm-1am) a very queer night on the Portland Spirit **
July 24-25th — Rose City Vintage Expo in Portland, the Northwest’s Largest Garage Sale (Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm)
Looking for Even More Events and Activities in the Seattle Area?
In addition to special events this month+, Seattle also has a ton of regular events — every day of the week! Check out everyone’s favorite blog post: 150+ Recurring Events in Seattle for LGBTQ+ and BIPOCs.
Hope you find something new! I keep updating these as I find more to include. Message me if you know of something I missed! And don’t forget to subscribe to get new content in your inbox once or twice a month.
Hope Your May is Melanated & Gay,
XO
