The long weekend is nigh, but at Thanksgiving, you might need to blunt the impact of family annoyances with a gay perspective on getting through it, including staying put for LGBT parties, shows and special events.

‘Family’ Dinner vs. family dinner

Tip No. 1 is always staying in town. Your gay family can be a great buffer if you just can’t take being cooped up with your family of origin for several days. Avoid the travel, expense and engaging your backwoods uncle who says that Penn State’s Jerry Sandusky is what’s wrong with gay people.

Invite your nearest and dearest friends over for a full feast or a less intensive potluck that says, “We’re most thankful for each other.” The conversation is guaranteed to be livelier, and it’s definitely a warmer welcome than your cousin who crosses the room to avoid eye contact with your partner.

Welcome distractions

If your mom’s famous brownies and lemon squares are worth the risk, keep in mind Tip No. 2: Bring your own distractions. There are a lot of hours to fill when you’re not eating, so books, laptops and magazines may be your saving grace. Pack your Christmas card list and get that done, or organize your December party schedule.

There’s also plenty of football on TV for gay jocks, plenty of Black Friday shopping deals for Retail Therapy Queens, and plenty of conversation with your fruit fly sister-in-law who covets your opinion on the most recent “Project Runway” debacle.

Gay Atlanta’s party schedule

If you stay here or will only do family on Thursday, the LGBT-ATL fills our Gay Agenda with party options all weekend. Every year, Tip No. 3 is Wednesday night’s Thanksgiving Eve tradition. That means DJ Roland Belmares benefiting Joining Hearts at Heretic, the 8th Annual Butterball ft. DJ Manny Lehman at Club Life and the Janet Jackson “Let’s Eat A While” Thanksgiving Eve at Mary’s.

Friday sees the 13th annual opening of the gay comedy “Santaland Diaries” at Horizon Theatre, the lighting of the Baby Jesus during the Get Stuffed! Holiday Season Kickoff at Mary’s, gay sax master Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour at Cobb Energy Centre, the appropriately titled Black Friday Dance-giving at My Sisters’ Room, and the naughty Spanksgiving Kinky Dance Party at Jungle.

Speaking of Jungle, the Backstreet Reunion Party, including an old school Charlie Brown’s Cabaret as well as DJs Rob Reum and Bobby Copeland, goes down on Saturday night. Mary’s continues its Thanksgiving Weekend blowout with Bitch Please! Thanksgiving Edition.

If all else fails

There’s always Grindr. “What? We need more butter from the store? I’ll go get it. No, really. It’s no problem at all.”