Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

A few suggestions for your holiday shopping planning.

Support local non-profits and community groups is a terrific gift idea. In almost all cases, you can make a donation in the name of your loved one, but some local groups have some unique gift opportunities for you to consider. Note – these are LGBTQ organizations. If you have something to add to the list, please email me!

Persad Center – Riverside Design Group’s annul holiday sale this weekend. 50% of the proceeds from the sale benefit Persad. Riverside Design Group is a local artisan glass warehouse specializing in exquisite tabletop designs and specialty gifts. Along with RDG there will also be Jules (local privately owned clothing store in Lawrenceville), Vessel Studio (local hand blown glass ornaments and artwork), Toffee Taboo (local indulgent chocolate treats), Cowboypants (local vintage tie distributor) and Square Café’s Uncle Charley’s brunch truck. These are all wonderful gifts for the holiday season supplied by local businesses and proceeds benefit Persad Center.

ReelQ Pittsburgh’s LGBT Film Festival – Thinking about what to get someone for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, etc. Or a gift for yourself! How about our 30th year membership package? Not only are you contributing to make our 30th year the best ever, but you are getting some pretty cool stuff as well including A Night At the The Hollywood Theater in Dormont – your choice of movie to be screened at a private party for you and up to 200 of your closest friends.

Renaissance City Choirs –  The annual Winter Holiday concert performance is Saturday, December 13, 2014. Purchasing tickets for the person who has everything is a terrific way to support the community and enjoy the holidays.

Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Community Center (GLCC) – consider a “We Are Family” tee shirt as a gift for the Pittsburghers in your life. These beautiful rainbow shirts were designed exclusively for the GLCC by Commonwealth Press and $10 from each purchase will support GLCC programs for youth and adults.

Dreams of Hope – This queer youth performance group based in Pittsburgh has an online store with items to share the performing arts with those on your list.

Most local LGBTQ groups have online donation options so “use your Google” to find their homepages and send a donation today so their good work continues tomorrow.

You might also consider

K.S. Kennedy Distinctive Floral, Gift and Gourmet – a gay-owned small business on Pittsburgh’s Northside, you can find many unique gift items and gorgeous baskets.

Ye Gay Ol’ Holiday Crafters Faire – a new queer vendor craft faire makes it debut at the GLCC on Saturday December 13 from 10 AM – 3 PM. A terrific opportunity to support local LGBTQ crafters and find unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list. This will be at the GLCC 210 Grant Street in Downtown Pgh.

There are also tons of queer vendors who work with Handmade Arcade and I Made It! Market which are open in December. Local galleries such as Most Wanted Fine Art exhibit the works of queer artists including Sam Thorpe and Caldwell Linker. Check out the Unblurred Art Crawl Friday December 5 for even more ideas.

Happy Holidays!