Queer Abby coming atcha’ with your girls’ guide to San Diego Pride 2006! Wondering what to do and where to go on which day? Well, have no fear – your guide to Pride is here!

First off, you should know that change is in the air for Pride this year. Perhaps most importantly, for the first time ever, San Diego Dyke March will be taking place on Pride weekend. The ninth annual Dyke March will kick off on Sunday, July 30, at 1:00 p.m. at The Center (3909 Centre St., at the corner of University Avenue in Hillcrest). Speakers and entertainers will include Laura Jane, MC Flow and Margot Kelley, among others. Following the rally, the march will travel to Balboa Park, where an open mic and potluck barbecue will take place.

Wondering why you should get involved? The purpose of Dyke March is to increase the visibility of the dyke community and provide a positive space for communication, political education and empowerment. The dyke community is inclusive to all who support the GLBT women’s community. For more information, e-mail the Dyke March planning committee at dykemarch@carambola.org.

In other exciting news, the 2006 LGBT Pride festival will debut the first-ever Women’s Stage in Balboa Park! Following in the footsteps of San Francisco Pride, which has been home to a successful women’s space for years, the new Women’s Stage at S.D. Pride will feature female singer/songwriters, DJs, hip-hop artists, poets and others during both days of the Pride festival. The incomparable Laura Jane will serve as emcee for the stage, giving you yet another reason to check it out! Entertainers set to perform include: Rhythm & the Method, Sarah Green, Lauren DeRose, MC Flow, Allison Gill, Ladwig, Dropjoy, DJ Natacha, Maria Ayala, Jianda, Terra Naomi, the San Diego Kings Club, Angie Evans and DJ Kiki. For the specific two-day lineup, go to Pride’s Web site, www.sdpride.org. Or just bring a blanket and chill in the women’s area for two days of nonstop entertainment, girls and fun!

In other changes, don’t forget that this is Six Degrees’ final Pride weekend, as the bar will be closing its doors on Aug. 31. If you love Six Degrees as much as the next dyke, make sure to swing by during Pride and toast to all the good times we’ve had at the bar. The Six will be open throughout Pride weekend, and will feature live music, DJs, dancing, drink specials and, yes, a wild wet T-shirt contest. Swing by 3175 India St. and show the women of Six Degrees just how much they’ll be missed!

But as one special business closes, another unique spot is opening just in time for Pride. That’s right, San Diego’s brand new female-owned sexuality boutique, The Rubber Rose, opens July 25! Part retail, part art gallery, part community space, The Rubber Rose will be located in the heart of North Park (3812 Ray St.), and will cater to your steamiest fantasies. You’ll be able to find everything you need for a stimulating Pride weekend: adult toys and books, vintage-inspired lingerie, lubes, lotions, fun T-shirts, undies and more! Hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Swing by this brand new store and say thank you to the ladies responsible for bringing such an empowering community space to San Diego! I’m sure I’ll be there… browsing the lingerie at the grand opening!

Wondering where else to find the ladies during Pride weekend? This year, you’ll have your pick from numerous parties catering to the grrrls. Here are just a few to get you salivating…

Pride Uncovered, presented by Play(er) Girl, will host two grrrl parties on Friday, July 28, and Sunday, July 30, at Aubergine (500 Fourth Ave., downtown). Friday’s party will feature local artist Ashley Matte hitting the stage at 9:30 p.m., and Sunday’s party will feature new artist Summer and Pride participant Terra Naomi hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m. Limousine shuttle service will be available to both parties, leaving from Bourbon Street (Friday) and Hamburger Mary’s (Sunday). Check out both parties for the best in hip-hop, house, old-school and ambient music!

Numbers presents its annual Bad Kitties Pride Party on Friday, July 28, with special guest DJ Gigi. DJ Kiki will be spinning in the Liquid Lounge, with Bad Kitty Go-Go Dancers and drink specials all night! Numbers is located at 3811 Park Blvd. Meow!

The Flame and the Lavender Lens will present Pride Ultra Lounge, the ultimate Pride party for the ladies, on Saturday, July 29, at The Flame (3780 Park Blvd.), with doors opening at 8:00 p.m. This sleek women’s party will feature four rooms, three bars, a large dance floor, a VIP room and lounge area, and the best in hip-hop and house music. Dress is casual but sexy – no flip-flops! Presale tickets are $12. Presale VIP tickets are $20. For tickets and information, visit www.flamesd.com.

Bourbon Street should be busting at the seams with ladies on the Friday evening of Pride weekend, during their weekly ladies’ happy hour (4:00-9:00 p.m.). This is the spot to start out your Pride weekend with a strong cocktail and a patio full of women. Arrive early to claim a spot for you and your best friends!

And if you haven’t heard yet, there is a lot of buzz floating around about Club Montage, which recently got a complete makeover. After a huge grand opening, Club Montage is now home to a new ladies night, Play(er) Girl on Wednesdays, and there’s also a rooftop sushi bar (sounds good to me!). Check out Montage on Wednesday nights for hip-hop and house from DJ Tova and DJ Jeremiah, hot go-go dancers and four fully stocked bars!

I am really looking forward to Pride this year and find it invigorating to see so many women-friendly events and parties taking place. Highlights for me are guaranteed to include: Deep Dickollective playing at the Pride festival, because I love me some homo-hop; Lauren DeRose playing on the Women’s Stage, because she is one of the best talents in San Diego; and Dyke March, of course – one of my favorite events of the year!

Here’s to an empowering, exciting and safe Pride! Please ride the party shuttles and don’t drink and drive. Have fun, ladies!