Is there gay life in the Berkshires?

A reader sent me this question, and it made me stop and think.

Hey, Gay in the Berkshires -

I saw your blog online and thought I would send you an email.

I just got a job offer in the Berkshires and I'm considering moving there.

I am a single gay man in my early 30s. Is there enough of a gay life in the Berkshires
that would interest someone to move there?

Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks

Mike.

Mike -

That's a tough question to answer without knowing more about you. If by "enough" you mean lots of clubs and bars, the short answer is our club scene is limited. But LGBTQ folks are far from one-dimensional, and if you mean a rich, rewarding variety of activities and a great working environment, the Berkshires are the place to be. We're here. We're queer. But we're pretty laid back about it.

The Berkshires are pretty rural with an overall population of about 100,000. But we enjoy more culture, nature and history than most places three times our size. With Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow and four major theatre companies, what's not to like. To get an idea about our nightlife, check out my online magazine, Berkshire On Stage which is gearing up for the summer of 2010.

While nothing like Provincetown or Manhattan, there is a decent sized LGBTQ community here, though no full time gay bar. (Though you might try Mezze in Williamstown on Thurday evenings.) The Berkshire Stonewall Community Coaltion is the community organization, and from one of the monthly potluck suppers you can begin to get acquainted with the community. There are young people who love to dance, and lots of events they share with our allies. In the Berkshries being gay is like no big deal. You can even get married in any of our town halls. Many churches will conduct the ceremony, and almost all our guest houses are gay friendly to a fault.

Barrington Stage Company has several "Out" evenings, a first this summer, and last year we had our first Out in the Berkshires Weekend which was sponsored by the City of Pittsfield, imagine that!

A lot of the LGBTQ folks are already in committed relationships, but there are plenty who aren't. Facebook is a major way we all keep in touch. There is even a Berkshire Gay Guerrilla Group (BG3) which posts where we can meet for a good time.

We like the slower, gentler pace of the Berkshires, but that doesn't stop us from dashing from one thing to another if we want. Or simply hiking the Appalachian Trail to the top of Mount Greylock for some quiet time with ourselves.

We hope you might take the job and join us. If you have been living in the big city, you will find the cost of housing and other essentials pretty low here, too. That means you can afford to do more! There are even half price ticket operations at several of the visitor centers to save on entertainment, and you can always see a show for free by ushering. Great way to meet people, too.

Hope this answers your question.

Upcoming LGBTQ Events - Picks and Previews

September already?
September already? But, but, my tomatoes are still green! I suppose I should be grateful for those few that survived the late blight. And I saved on my air conditioner bill, but one week of sunshine does not a summer make. And I sure wouldn't want to talk with the innkeepers either, this was the summer of the Monsoon. Still, Fall is just a few weeks off, and with it lots of our favorite activities replace summer lethargy.

SEPTEMBER 2 - BSCC COMMUNITY DINNER AND PLANNING MEETING

One thing to note on your calendar is the September gathering of our Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition on Wednesday, September 2nd. Its theme is "What's Next" and rather than the usual potluck, there will be a deli-cold cut style supper starting at 7 PM at the UU Church in Pittsfield. It's open and free to all, though you should give them a call at 413-822-7268 to let you know you're coming so they have plenty of food. If you want to bring a dessert, that would be nice, too. The catered cold cut dinner is donated by Peter Marchetti. Beverages and dessert by the BSCC board. Their message is simple: Bring your suggestions, ideas, and enthusiasm to help decide where to focus our energies and resources in the coming year. There are some exciting plans in the works already, and I will be writing about them shortly. If someone from the North Adams area is going and can give me a lift, call me at 664-6108. I am without transportation that evening.

THURSDAYS - LGBT NIGHT AT MEZZE

Justin Adkins, the energetic Queer Life Coordinator for Williams College has declared Thursdays at Mezze in Williamstown to be LGBT Night at the bar from 9 PM on. Many of the crowd wear hats, so don't worry about finding each other. You can always use your gaydar too. We may not have a gay bar in the Berkshires, but this great restaurant and watering hole makes a nice locus for meeting and greeting.


QUITE QUEER DANCE PARTY AND APPLE BOB OCTOBER 10

The ever popular and incredibly busy Ryan W. has kept me in the loop regarding what looks to be one of the hottest parties of the year on October 10 of Columbus Day weekend. In fact I am busting at the seams to tell you about lots of other things on the docket, but am awaiting formal confirmation before dropping the news. But here is what I can tell you, and you can find more details on Facebook. Here's what they have posted:

Mission statement: Queer up Pittsfield and make it permanent.
Host: QQ Committee

Time to get queer here now! Featuring MKNG FRNDZ in the Berkshires. More bands to follow.

A portion of the proceeds with benefit the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

It's time Pittsfield became alive with youth, queerness, et cetera. PROMISES OF QUEER BOBBING FOR APPLES @ EVENT! But most importantly, let's BUILD THE SCENE DO-IT-YOURSELF STYLE HOM(O)IEZ! TICKETS will be $10-12. Many ticket outlets throughout the area are being set up. Admission covers both the live music portion as well as the dance party.

Contact TIM KUSHI @ 413 464 7740 OR tim@nutcracker.com for more details!

MARRIAGE EQUALITY in VERMONT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2009 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM in RUTLAND and
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2009 9:00 AM to 9:PM in BENNINGTON

The Unitarian-Universalist congregations of Rutland and Bennington are celebrating marriage equality. This is for couples joined in a Civil Union who would like to get married or a married couple who would like to renew your vows in the context of a celebration of marriage equality

Rev. Erica Baron, the minister of the congregation, will be available all day to perform brief, simple wedding services for couples joined in a civil union, and to perform simple vow renewal services for married couples. Members of the congregation will be providing pot-luck “receptions” at 11:30, 3:00, and 6:00. Pre registration is required. Please call Erica at 802-855-8125 to register.

If you would like to get married and do not have a civil union, you may also contact her, or in the Berkshires, the Congregational Church in Williamstown and the UU Church in Pittsfield will also happily assist you in arranging a marriage at their churches.