Bethel CT Pride’s LGBTQIA+ Programs
Join us at one of our queer friendly events taking place in Bethel, the Greater Danbury area, and virtually!
Learn about our programs Go to Event Calendar
We strive to hold events that are supportive and inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community in Bethel and the Greater Danbury area! This includes events that are informative and educational, as well as events that are simply safe spaces to hang out with other queer community members in a judgement free zone. You can find us in Bethel, Danbury, Redding, online, and more! We are excited to be branching out and partnering with other communities in the Western CT area!
About our events
Here are details about some of the popular events we hold throughout the year. Visit our Upcoming Events page for specific times, dates, and locations. Due to Covid-19, we may elect to postpone or change venue for the safety of our participants. Please always check our calendar and social media for the latest details about our LGBTQIA+ friendly events!
Open Mic
In collaboration with Molten Java
Our LGBTQIA+ friendly, all-ages, open mic event happens every Thursday at Molten Java! Come and showcase your musical talent, recite poetry, share a story, beatbox—the floor is yours! Performance slots are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be secured in person. This event takes place in a public venue and is open to people of all ages. We expect you to exercise good judgment when selecting your material and to make appropriate choices.
Open Mic Guidelines
“Hello, hello…” Our Open Mic is an LGBTQIA+ and disability-friendly event open to the public. We strive to ensure that the environment is supportive and joyful for all attendees. We want to ensure this event continues to be the welcoming, safe space we have built since 2022. These guidelines exist so everyone can take creative risks, be authentic, and have a good time.
How it works:
- Sign up on the list when you arrive.
- Each performer gets 6 min max, including setup time! This ensures as many people as possible get a turn. If time allows, folks can sign up to go again. Set times may be amended at the discretion of the host to accommodate list size.
- Host will announce who is up and who is on deck. If you are on deck, that is your time to prep so you’re ready when your name is called to perform.
- This is an all-ages event. Please be mindful of your material when kids are present.
- If only adults are in the space, hard topics and colorful language are fine.
- If you are touching on a sensitive topic, a quick heads-up to the audience is appreciated.
- What can I perform?
- Songs and spoken words (poems, stories, jokes, commentary, etc.) are grand.
- No karaoke—sorry!
- Have an alternative performance mind? Speak to the host first.
- We ask everyone—performers and audience members alike—to help keep this a respectful, welcoming environment.
- Discriminatory, threatening, or harassing language or behavior isn’t okay here.
- Obscene or indecent exposure and acts of violence are not allowed.
- Performers should be sober enough to perform their set respectfully and safely.
- If someone crosses a line, they will be given a warning or asked to leave, depending on the situation. Our aim is always to de-escalate and keep the space safe, not to shame or punish.
Don’t forget:
- Show some love to Molten Java to ensure this local, queer-owned small business remains a pillar of the community.
- Buy your drinks, snacks, etc. at Molten Java!
- Tip your barista!
- Sets (video/photo) will be shared to Bethel CT Pride’s socials. If you do NOT wish to be captured, let us know!
- Show some love to Molten Java to ensure this local, queer-owned small business remains a pillar of the community.
- Respect between performers and audiences goes both ways. Be supportive, be social, be kind!
LGBTQ+ Book Club
In collaboration with Rainy Day Paperback Exchange, held at Rainy Day Paperback Exchange and on Discord!
Fiction: Group discusses a different book each month from a variety of genres. Books will either be directly about LGBTQ subjects directly or just feature LGBTQ protagonists. Selections include both recent books and classics.
Non-Fiction: Group discusses a different book each month. Selections include both recent books and classics. Books may be biography, history, essays, or other types of nonfiction that deal with LGBTQ individuals or topics.
Older teens are welcome to attend. Not recommended for younger teens as the reading material will likely be too challenging.
Queer Gardens Club: Plant Swap! Gardening!
In collaboration with Rainy Day Paperback Exchange
Plant Swap: Discover a vibrant community of queer green thumbs and gardening enthusiasts at our monthly Plant Swap series! Connect with like-minded individuals and exchange a variety of plants in a chill environment. We tend to switch between indoor and outdoor plants depending on the season, with a big focus on keeping sustainable natives going! You don’t need to bring a plant to take a plant!
In collaboration with Rainy Day Paperback Exchange and Berry School
Gardening Activities: Our gardening enthusiasts have helped do garden cleanup and harvesting at Berry School! Stay tuned for more collaborations.
Mutual Aid Events
In collaboration with Apex Community Care, PeerPride, PeerPride’s TransHaven
Transforming Closet & Resource Exchange: Inspired by work done by Trans Closet of Hudson Valley, the Transforming Closet provides free clothing, makeup, shoes, toiletries, harm reduction supplies, and more in a relaxed atmosphere. While open to all, the closet aims to help provide affirming clothing for our trans and non-binary community members. We also offer free binders and binder fittings thanks to PeerPride and free HIV testing by Apex Community Care.
Narcan Training: To protect our community members from opiate overdose, we have helped to facilitate Narcan training, presented by Apex Community Care, as part of our program offerings.
Craft, Hiking, Science, Music, Farm, Moth, Mushroom and More!
We strive to hold at least one unique events for all-ages each month. Popular events include button collaging, zine making, holiday crafts, slime making, painting and ornament crafting for Ann’s Place Festival of Trees, moth night, farm hiking, mushroom foraging hikes, bring-your-own-craft afternoons, music events, film fests, and more. Want to lead your own event? Email us at info@bethelctpride.com!