May 2026 Events in Seattle for Black, Brown, Indigenous & 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities: AAPI Heritage Month, Queer Matchmaking, Native Nonprofit Day & More

Written By Sapphie Taffy

…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.

  • Wandered around Northeast Portland and wrote up A Queer Travel Guide for Northeast Portland’s Historically Black Neighborhoods.

  • Saw Mae Martin @ The Neptune! 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. It’s AAPI Heritage Month! 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 — 

May 2nd — 

May 3rd — 

  • Aquí Mercado @ The 101 (11am-5pm) 30+ Latin/POC/LGBTQ+ vendors, last indoor market before heading back outdoors for summer *

  • Cinco de Mayo Block Party @ Fogon, co-hosted by Corteezy (2-10pm) *

  • Erotic Art Festival @ Seattle Center (12-4pm)

  • 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’s Closing Night Kick-Back @ Metier Brewing (6pm, free) *

May 4th — TJ Klune with Milo Michels: ‘We Burned So Bright’ @ Third Place Books Lake Forest Park (7-8:30pm, sign-up required) **

May 5th — MMIP Day of Awareness @ Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center *

May 6th — 

May 7-17th — 52nd Annual Seattle International Film Festival

May 7th — 

May 8th — 

  • An Evening of Film with Usman Ally and Mouzam Makkar @ Kerry Hall (7:30pm) hosted by STG Presents *

  • Filthy Dyke: Kink & Cruising Party @ The High Water Mark (9pm-1am) **

  • Indigenous Arts & Open Mic Showcase @ Native Action Network Office (6-9pm) *

  • AAPI Rooftop Social @ The Sound Hotel Belltown *

  • Special Activity Friday: Planting Raised Beds & Flower Dye Garden @ Indigenous Creatives Collective (10am-2pm) *

May 9th-June 24th — Layered Being: A Celebration of AAPINH Heritage @ Gallery B612 featuring 17 artists exploring AAPI identity *

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)

  • Nocturne @ Chop Suey, a big gay dance party! **

  • Seattle World’s Vintage Fair @ Seattle Center

  • Spend it Like it Matters Saturday hosted by Intentionalist @ 60+ Greater Seattle small businesses, exclusive one-day offers ***

  • Trans Day of Sanctuary @ Pasado’s Safe Haven in Monroe (11am-2pm, registration is full!) a free event to relax in nature at an animal rescue for trans folks and their loved one **

May 10th — 

  • BIPOC Rope Jam @ The Kink Center (6:30-8:30pm) *

  • I, Anatolia performed by the Turkish American Performers of Seattle @ Shoreline Community College Theater (3pm and 7pm performances) *

  • In, Of & From: an art workshop on identity, place and the meaning of belonging @ The Fishbowl (3-6pm) ***

  • Mother (Earth) Day & The Camas Bloom with Queer the Land @ Martha Washington Park (2-4pm) **

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 13th — Sex Trivia @ Stoup Capitol Hill (7pm) hosted by the Papaya Project and fundraising for Dykes on Bikes **

May 14th — Language Café @ Asylum Collective (5pm, Thursdays and Saturdays in May) cozy café language practice in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, and ASL with native speakers present. Any conversation level is welcome *

May 15th — 

  • Bad Bunny Paint & Sip Party hosted by Seattle Boss Babe @ Kikey’s in Burien, girlz only *

  • Early-Onset Pride Month @ Common Objects (7pm doors) **

  • Masked Queer Line Dancing @ The Kink Center (8pm-10pm) this is not a kink event, masks required **

  • Seed Swap Plant Starts Giveaway @ Cedar Tea House *** (6-8pm)

May 16th — 

  • BIPOC New Moon Paddle @ Duwamish River (3-5pm) hosted by the River Access Paddle Program *

  • Dykes on Bikes Seattle 2026 Season Opener Block Party @ Two Kicks Coffee (4-8pm, all-ages) **

  • Heated Rivalry Embroidery Class hosted by PNW Loons @ Charlie’s Queer Books (1-4pm) **

  • Language Café @ Asylum Collective (5pm, Thursdays and Saturdays in May) cozy café language practice in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, and ASL with native speakers present. Any conversation level is welcome *

  • Lesbian/Queer Owner + Pet Look Alike Contest @ Cal Anderson Park (3pm) hosted by Lezztalkaboutit… “Are you gay and twinning with your pet?”

  • My Mama Joe documentary film screening @ Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (2pm) *

  • Monet X Change: High Heels & Bad Knees Tour @ Neptune Theater ***

  • Spring R&B High Tea presented by Blend Coffee and Kicks & Food with Roots @ Elements Apartments Bellevue (11am-3pm) *

  • Volunteer Planting Party presented by Hip Hop is Green and Hey Black Seattle @ Cherry Street Farm (10am-4pm) **

May 17th — 

  • AANHPI Journeys: Stories of Family and Belonging @ Filipino Community Center, family-friendly, with local authors, reading and food *

  • Kain Na Tayo: Let’s Eat Together with Chef Marizel Yuen @ Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands (5-7pm, free) celebrating Filipino Cuisine and South Seattle Community*

  • La Santa Cecelia with The Cumbieros @ Nectar Lounge (7pm) *

  • Masked Kinky Crafting @ The Kink Center (2-4pm, masks required

  • Perreo Electrico @ El Parral in Kent (8pm) reggaetón, diem bow & rave energy *

  • Perreo sin Permiso: Latin Day Party @ Vue Lounge (3-10pm) *

  • Tide Pooling with Trans Masc Seattle @ Richmond Beach Park (11am-1pm) **

May 18th — 

  • Fundraiser for Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá, a new work featuring Mexican Indigenous artists from across the U.S., hosted by El Sueño Art @ Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center (6:30pm doors, 7:30pm start) *

  • Mahjong Mondays @ Kilig Seattle (5-8pm) *

May 19th — Portrait of a Lady on Fire @ Northwest Film Forum, presented by Lezztalkaboutit (7pm) **

May 20th — Pride Skate Pajama Party @ Southgate Roller Rink (8:30-11pm, drag performances 7-9pm) **

May 21st-31st — Black Man Goes to Therapy @ Acts on Stage *

May 21st — Native Non-Profit Day, a national initiative to uplift Native-led organizations *

May 22nd — QTBIPOC Mutual Aid Show hosted by Queer the Land @ Black & Tan Hall (8pm) ***

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 23rd — 

May 24th — 

  • Lord of the Rings Drag Brunch @ Emerald City Comedy Club **

  • Lucha Luna: Music & Mutual Aid Fair @ Estelita’s Beacon Hill (5pm) *

  • Meg Thee Stallion & Paint @ Paint The Town Seattle (7-9pm) hosted by Girl Therapy Seattle *

  • Pride ASIA Fest 2026 @ Hing Hay Park, celebrating API LGBTQ+ culture with performance and music ***

  • Taking Back Cal An Community Picnic @ Cal Anderson Park (12-4pm) an afternoon of trans resistance and celebration **

May 28th — 

  • Durag Flag @ Kremwerk hosted by AfroSapphics (10pm-2am) Black sapphic party with a fit competition, where durags flag your energy ***

  • 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 *

  • Bite of Greece Seattle @ Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (12-9pm) *

  • Dancing Queen @ Nectar Lounge (9pm-1:45am) queer disco dance party **

  • LeLaLes: Fluid Love Watch Party @ Wildrose (7pm doors, 7:15pm screening, free til 8pm) A special screening of Episodes 1&2 of the first of its kind Chinese lesbian dating show **

  • Open Mic Night @ Common Objects, focused on AANHPI identity *

  • Seattle Asian American Film Festival: Opening Night @ Wing Luke Museum *

May 30th — 

  • 10k Party hosted by Lezztalkaboutit @ St. John’s Bar (8-10pm) live music and giveaway, free **

  • Bite of Greece Seattle @ Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (11am-9pm) *

  • Black Graduation @ Wa Na Wari — the CDs most epic party *

  • Fem & Them Jello Wrestling @ El Corazón **

  • Native Action Network’s Silver and Sequins Gala @ The Rainier Club (4:30pm-9pm) *

  • Seattle Asian American Film Festival: In-Person @ Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute *

May 31st — Bite of Greece Seattle @ Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (12-6pm) *

Pride Month! Preview

June 1st — Taking Back Taking: A Touch Lab for Trans Femmes & Thems @ The Kink Center (6-8:30pm) **

June 2nd — Lesbian/Queer Paint & Sip @ Goldvine Cafe (7-9pm) hosted by Lezztalkaboutit **

June 4th — 

  • 6th Annual Elevate Showcase @ STG at Kerry Hall (7:30pm) a spoken word program uplifting the voices of Black and Brown youth *

  • First Thursday Night Market @ Gallery Erato (6-9pm) during the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square

  • Queer Singles Matchmaking @ Roam Ballard (7-10pm) **

  • Spectrum: A Queer Art Market @ LMN’s the Shop (5:30-7:30pm) **

June 5th — Fearless Dance Party hosted by API Chaya @ Rooftop at Railspur (7-10pm) wear your best cultural wear! *

June 6th — 

  • Charlie’s Queer Book Fair 2026, Day 1 @ Charlie’s Queer Books (11am-6pm) **

  • Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the Park 2026 @ South Woodland Park (12-5pm) BYOGB **

  • White Center Pride Festival, 7th Annual **

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 10th —

  • Afrosapphnik @ Cowgirls (9pm) lesbian/queer Freaknik hosted by Lezztalkaboutit x Afrosapphix ***

  • Sex Trivia @ Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill (7pm) fundraising for the Lavender Rights Project

June 11th — 

  • Fiesta de Putxs: Pride Edition @ Chop Suey (9pm-2am) ***

  • Queer for All: Opening Night @ The Factory (6-10pm) a community group art show open to LGBTQIA+ artists

June 12-14th — Campout @ Middle Fork Campground in North Bend. A weekend campout, habitat restoration, and cyanotyping, hosted by Outdoor Asian WA and Mountains to Sound Greenway *

June 12th — Naomi Watanabe from Tokyo @ The Neptune *

June 13th — 

  • Georgetown Carnival @ Georgetown Neighborhood (12-10pm)

  • Indigenous People Festival @ Seattle Center (10am-7pm, free) *

  • 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 16th — Seattle is Burning @ Hidden Hall (6pm-late) a screening of Paris is Burning followed by a Drag Ball and a local short film screening **

June 18th — 

June 20th — 

  • Full Bodies: A Fat Kinky Weekender party in Tukwila

  • Mariners Filipino Heritage Night @ T-Mobile Park, $10 of every ticket sold benefits the Filipino Community of Seattle *

  • Sapphic Service: Seattle’s Premier Sapphic Drag Experience @ Le Faux Playhouse (10pm) **

June 21st —

  • Capitol HIll Mutual Aid Fundraiser: Karaoke in the Park and Raffle @ Cal Anderson Park Shelter House (2-4pm, masked requested)

  • Zaddy Day Party @ Metier Cherry Street (2-6pm) Black and QTPOC day party presented by Hella Softies, featuring an Afrosapphics Fashion Show and Stud Competition! Because it’s Fathers Day?

June 24th — Flower F*cking, a guided eco somatic workshop for queers craving slower, softer, and more reciprocal ways of relating (3pm PST on Zoom) hosted by Che Che Luna **

June 24-26th —

  • 2026 Indigenous Agroforestry Network Gathering @ Little Creek Casino & Resort in Shelton, WA. Scholarships available to cover registration and travel, apply by 5/22.

  • The Gift of Queerness: Mindfulness Retreat in the Plum Village Tradition @ Dharma Gate **

June 26th — Ballard Regnbue @ Ballard Ave & 22nd Ave N.W. (11:30am-10pm, free) Pride Festival and Pride Match Day soccer watch party with live performances and televised matches on jumbo screens **

June 27-28th — Trans Pride Music Festival @ Chop Suey (4:30pm doors, 5pm music) **

June 28th — Aliah Sheffield @ Funhouse (8pm) *

Summer Events Preview

July 2nd — Kickin’ It Indi-City: An Indigenous Soccer Celebration @ Bell Harbor Patio (10am-8pm, free and open to the public) Native art, vendors, watch parties and more *

July 3rd — Kickin’ It Indi-City: An Indigenous Soccer Celebration @ Pier 62 (10am-8pm) *

July 8th — Final Sex Trivia & Party @ Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill (7pm) the last Sex Trivia event until further notice :( Don’t miss the party! The event organizers are moving on to other amazing projects but hope to circle back annually.

July 11th — 

  • Queer Cruise hosted by Queer Cute and Let Her Cook (11pm-1am) a very queer night in PORTLAND on the Portland Spirit **

  • Seattle Goth Clothing Swap, 7th Annual @ Volunteer Park (12-3pm, all-ages, free)

July 22nd — Pop-Up Concerts in the Park: Manisha @ Magnuson Park Amphitheater (6:30-8pm, free) **

July 18th-19th — 2nd Annual One Love Festival @ Othello Playground (1pm) African Diaspora food, music, culture, and community celebration *

July 24-25th — Rose City Vintage Expo in Portland, the Northwest’s Largest Garage Sale (Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm)

August 12th — Pop-Up Concerts in the Park: Darrius Willrich Trio @ Kubota Garden (6:30-8pm, free) **

August 23rd — Souk at the Waterfront @ Pier 62 *

August 27th — Return to the River: The Sweetgrass Path @ Cedarbrook Lodge, a 3-day retreat rooted in rest, somatic healing, cultural wisdom and leadership for black, brown, and indigenous women in education *

August 28-29th — Seattle Black Nerd Festival presented by Langston *

September 25-27th — BIPOC Wellness Weekend hosted by Golden Brick Events & Oshun Swim School @ Breitenbush Hot Springs, Detroit OR

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

Sapphie Taffy
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