San Francisco remains the beating heart of the international LGBT community, and though our gay nightlife scene might not be as crazy and full as other, bigger cities (especially in these Depression days), Pride season is our time to shine. New York and L.A. Pride are like sad backyard barbecues compared to the weekend-long gayapalooza here in the city by the Bay, and since among gays the weekend begins on Wednesday, the party's already started.

Below, please appreciate SFist's attempt to round up all the gay/queer/trans and ever-so lesbian happenings going down about town today and Friday. And for those of you who count some gays among your coworkers, please take it as a given that Monday will be a sick day, if they haven't asked for it off already. (Photos above by Darwin Bell)

spot-of-t.jpg Thursday, June 24
The trans community celebrates their Pride eve tonight, and Original Plumbing, the mag for hip transmales, kicks things off with A Spot of T: The 1st Trans-Masculine Cabaret. The show features OP founders Amos Mac and Rocco Katastrophe, as well as famed NY performer Glenn Marla. (762 Fulton St., tickets here)

NightLife at the Academy of Sciences is hosting what will be a pretty gay party, with DJs Juanita MORE!, LadyHouse, and Stanley Frank. $12 gets you in from 6 to 10 p.m., including museum admission, and there will be drinks aplenty. It'll likely sell out, so get advance tickets here.