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It's Boston Pride Week (Friday, June 6 until Sunday, June 15) and that means a packed schedule of parties and events to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender awareness. The week culminates at the ultimate Pride parade on Saturday, June 14. Deval Patrick who supports gay marriage says he is proud of his 18-year-old daughter Katherine, who publicly "came out' this week to Bay Windows [Map 2]. The governor and his daughter plan to march in the parade. Here's the lowdown:

• FRIDAY, JUNE 6:

First, kick off Pride 2008 with the ceremonial flag raising starting at noon on Friday, June 6 at City Hall Plaza [Map 3]. This event signals the official start of Pride Week in the city of Boston and introduces the 2008 Marshals. Then, head over the Pride Kick-Off Party in Jamaica Plain. Dyke Night organizers plan a festive bash with dance music courtesy of DJ Kris Kono. If dancing isn't your thing, take your best shot on the pool table or with your friends, new and old, at the funky cocktail bar or head to the bowling lanes. Vintage bowling or '50s attire encouraged. Organizers also plan a Hula Hoop contest. Friday, June 6. Milky Way Lounge & Lanes [Map 4], 405 Centre St. Jamaica Plain. $8. [1].

• MONDAY, JUNE 9:

Known for his collaborative gay romance--or "Romence"--novels with his partner Scott Whittier, Scott Pomfret flies solo with his new book, "Since My Last Confession: A Gay Catholic Memoir." "Confession" is a funny, irreverent faith journey by a gay Catholic pursuing his Archbishop in the style of Michael Moore's "Roger & Me" that answers the perennial question, "What's a Nice Gay Catholic Part-time Porn Writer Doing in a Nasty Church Like This?" As a practicing Catholic in a long-term committed gay relationship with a hardcore atheist, Pomfret tries to reconcile faith with the hierarchy's bitter attacks on gay marriage, gay adoption, gay seminarians, Capri pants, innate style and anything else remotely homosexual. 1 p.m. Monday, June 9. Borders Books Music Movies & Cafe, 10-24 School St. Free. [2] or [3].

• TUESDAY, JUNE 10:

Chefs Jen Biesty and Zoi Antonitsas, recent castaways from Bravo's "Top Chef 4" in Chicago and an openly gay couple based in San Francisco, will present a cooking demonstration at Macy's Kitchen. The duo, who announced on national TV that they were in a committed four-year relationship, will headline a series of events called "Out In Downtown" scheduled for Boston Pride 2008. "I think I was silent when I first heard," Antonitsas says in a recent interview about her recent stint on "Top Chef." Antonitsas continues, "I was in shock. We never even dreamed it would be possible we would both be picked. We knew there had never been a couple on the show." 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, June 10. Macy's [Map 5], 450 Washington St. Free. [4].

• WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11:

In "Boston Boys Club" the former reporter for The Miami Herald and current staff writer for The Boston Globe follows a trio of friends as they search for that perfect guy at an ultra-hip boy bar in Boston, the Club Café. While Diaz insists his story is a fictionalized account of his life after moving from Miami to Boston five years ago, the 35-year-old author admits that he intertwines real-life locales (like the Club Café, which is in Boston's South End), events, and yes, people in "Boston Boys Club." "The main character, Tommy Perez, covers Hispanic-related issues at a paper similar to The Boston Globe," he says, adding that his alter ego works at a pub called The Boston Daily. "Tommy lives in Harvard Square, and I used to live near Harvard Square." Slotted to release his second book, "Miami Manhunt," in July, Diaz will read from "Boston Boys Club" as part of Boston Pride book series. 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 11. Borders Books Music Movies & Cafe, 10-24 School St. Free. www.bostonpride.com or www.bostoncubanito.blogspot.com.

• FRIDAY, JUNE 13:

It's taken years and a series of public scandals for former Marine turned celebrated author, Rich Merritt, to exorcise the many demons from his "Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star" past. "I was so tired of living in fear that people would find out about me," he says, phoning from his apartment in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. "Hiding and secrets were such a big part of my life, especially as someone who came from a Fundamentalist Christian background," remarks Merritt, author of the new novel "Code of Conduct." Part of Boston Pride's book signing series, author Rich Merritt reads from "Code of Conduct." 1 p.m. Friday, June 13. Borders Books Music Movies & Cafe, 10-24 School St. Free. www.bostonpride.com.

• SATURDAY, JUNE 14:

Of course, no Pride Week experience would be complete without rockin' the sidelines at the Pride parade. This year, the gathering falls a little bit later than usual kicking off noon on Saturday, June 14. For those not in the know, Boston's GLBT community takes over the streets with over 122 registered groups, 10,000 marchers, 35 floats and 300,000 on the sidelines. Visit www.bostonpride.com for the lowdown.

Also on Saturday, June 14, our friends at Sibling Rivalry [Map 6] are offering a signature drink crafted specifically for Boston Pride. When life hands you lemons ... make South End Lemonade. That's right, the inspired bar hands at the South End staple have been busy perfecting the lemonade libation. Combining flavors of Ketel One Citreon, Cointreau and freshly squeezed lemon juice, patrons can sip this potent potable ($11) exclusively at Sibling Rivalry starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14 until close.

Looking for a wild post-parade bash? The Boston Gay Rights Fund's annual street dance & block party outside of Fritz Lounge on Chandler Street is one helluva celebration. Festivities, featuring New England-based DJs Dena and Richie LaDue, kick off at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m.

• SUNDAY, JUNE 15:

Top off the week of festivities with the always popular Stuart Street Block Party. Back by popular demand, Tracy Young from Miami will be spinning hot dance music while DJ Ranny opens the event starting at noon. The 8th annual Stuart Street Block Party features dancers and drink specials. Also, new this year is a cocktail-free zone for folks who want to chill with a sizzling summer refreshment without the alcohol.