MEGA Family meet-up, East Atlanta Strut and more this weekend

Friday Sept. 14 - Sunday, Sept. 16

The IGNITE 2012 Queer and Trans Youth Convening provides dialogue, political education, skill shares, networking and more to LGBTQ youth of color at this three-day conference at the Georgia State Student Center. Lambda Legal also joins in with its second annual “South Star: Safe Schools Convening of the South.” http://ignite.sparkrj.org

Saturday, Sept. 15

The MEGA Family Project hosts a Baby/Toddler Meet Up Group for dues-paying members in Roswell. Learn more at www.megafamily.org or email
[email protected]

The annual East Atlanta Strut means a kooky-good parade followed by revelry in the streets of Atlanta hippest neighborhood. Stop by Mary’s, the local gay bar, for an Atlanta Talons (Hotlanta Softball) fundraiser and beats by DJ Joey. The infamous Mary-oke takes partygoers into the night. Parade at 2 p.m., party afterwards at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, http://on.fb.me/OhRK76, http://on.fb.me/HTQVSN

Help homeless LGBT youth today at the Model T by bringing donations including cash, gift cards, blankets, sleeping bags, tents and emergency first aid kids. Donation collection begins at 3 p.m., with a fundraiser from 8 p.m. to midnight at Model T, 699 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.modeltatlanta.com

Relive the days of your youth with sack races, egg tosses and other events at Atlanta Field Day to benefit Jerusalem House and Camp Twin Lakes. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at West Minster Presbyterian Church PCA, 1438 Sheridan Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.atlantafieldday.org

After a season of raising money for AID Atlanta, the Atlanta Cotillion XI takes over the Foundry at Puritan Mill with its annual drag ball to crown this year’s highest fundraiser. This year’s theme? “Le Bal en Robe Rouge.” Special guests include host Randy Roberts and the legendary Varla Jean Merman. 7 - 11 p.m. at the Foundry at Puritan Mill, 916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30318,  www.atlantacotillion.org

The Southern Softpaw Softball League kicks off its fall season at 10 a.m. at Southside Softball Complex on Jonesboro Road in Atlanta. The league is open to all skill levels and raises funds to support animal charities. www.southernsoftpaw.com

South Georgia Pride brings performances from Spikey Van Dykey, Julie Schurr and others, along with food, games and pet show to Valdosta. 12 - 6 p.m. at John W. Saunders Park. www.southgapride.org

A new “coming out” support group for LGBT adults starts today and meets on Saturdays through Nov. 17; 4 p.m. at First MCC Community Center, 1379 Tullie Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. www.firstmcc.com

SAGE Atlanta hosts a potluck social for lesbians ages 50 and older. Bring a dish to share, plus your own plate, utensils and beverage. 6 p.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org

Lesbian-inclusive “alterna-grass” band Roxie Watson plays a show at Decatur’s famed acoustic hotspot. 9:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515-B McDonough Road, Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

Celebrate the one year anniversary of 3-Legged Cowboy nights at the Heretic with a night of country music and dancing. 9 p.m. - 3 a.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

The party peeps at Bedlam get down at “Hawt Mess,” another “Messy. Trashy. Disaster. Perfect. Chic. Couture” event. 9 p.m. at Asylum, 543 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316

Scream Club is a DJ set. Nicky Click is a live show of “stoping, latex and garter belts.” Kin 4 Life will blow your lady socks off. All in one night at Atlanta’s only lesbian bar. 10 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, mysistersroom.com

Re-live the glory days of gay Atlanta’s nightlife with the Backstreet Reunion featuring DJ Rob Reum, DJ Bill Berdeaux, and Charlie Brown’s Cabaret; this is also a Stride into Pride event. Show begins at 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Go “Man 2 Man” every Saturday night at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring Street Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xcessultralounge.com

Saturday Sept. 15 - Sunday, Sept. 16

The Festival on Ponce, part of the gay-owned and operated Foundation for Public Spaces festivals, offers local arts and crafts at Olmsted Linear Park. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Olmstead Linear Park near the intersection of Ponce De Leon and Moreland Ave., Atlanta, GA. www.festivalonponce.com

Sunday, Sept. 16

PFLAG Atlanta hosts its monthly Third Sunday meeting at 2:45 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329. Also, check the PFLAG Atlanta website for upcoming meetings this month in Macon, Johns Creek, Athens, Peachtree City and Marietta. www.pflagatl.org

The annual Dixie Invitational Bowling Tournament isn’t until Easter weekend, but the Miss Dixie sign-up event includes a beer bust with all-you-can-eat nachos, hot dogs and pizza for $10. 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hideaway, 1544 Piedmont Ave. Suite 124, Atlanta, GA 30324. www.atlantahideaway.com

Queer-loving comedian Margaret Cho brings her “Mother” comedy tour to Atlanta. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at The Punchline, 280 Hilderbrand Drive Atlanta, GA 30328, www.punchline.com

Get a hands-on cooking demonstration with Janine Falvo of “Top Chef,” executive chef of Atlanta’s Briza restaurant. Part of the “For the Foodie in All of Us” series, the event benefits For the Kid in All of Us. Tickets are $50. 2 p.m. at the Cook’s Warehouse- Decatur, 180 West Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030.www.forthekid.org