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I come to you right before Trans Day of Visibility Weekend, which I’m capitalizing because I’m a fun guy full of whimsy, with a few bulletin board-esque updates. Take heed of them, pass ’em to someone whom they might suit, or ignore them and skip to the massive volumetric event tonnage bearing down on the Qmmunity listings.
Whatever you do, do it knowing trans people are very cool and deserve not only basic rights, dignity, and consideration, but also $20 from every fear-monger dead-set on brow-beating transgender children. This $20 will then be, of course, passed around the community as we continually donate to each other’s gender-affirming surgery funds until universal heat death. Or maybe we’ll buy a big pizza. The choice belongs to us, not anyone else.far off, Reader, so the vendor calls are rolling in for what’ll be a massive queer market season. This week, however, the Little Gay Shop gets a jump on not only vendor applications for their Pride Party, June 20-21, but they’ve also opened applications for their wintertime HoliGAY Market. Interested sellers are advised to visitAustin International Drag Festival posted last Thursday calling for help paying off the 2025 event’s debt. In the Instagram video, drag artist and AIDF President Princess Treatment stated that due to a loan taken out to pay artists and venue fees, the nonprofit is about $8K in the hole. In addition to paying that off, AIDF would also like to have some funds to start this year’s fest planning. Their currently runninghas reached about 4% of their goal amount , so if you’re able to drop ’em coinage, please do so. AIDF is the rare 5013 nonprofit dedicated to helping drag artists specifically, and with a new board of directors introduced in February, the fest deserves a long and hopefully financially healthy future. In sadder news, the queer- and trans-owned Sunshine Vinyl is closing their doors. They released a letter to their community on Friday stating their final day of operations will be April 12. “If you ever stepped into the shop,” writes owner Luca Kisielius in this parting statement, “you know it was never just a record store.” Throughout the next few weeks, sales will run on everything from the vinyl to the chairs – but this doesn’t spell the end of the spot’s spirit. Kisielius says their next venture will be disco house label Sunset Records, “a continuation of everything Sunshine stood for – supporting DJs, vinyl, and the community we built here in Austin.”. I’m telling you, Reader, because I will be performing as part of their Best of QFT lineup. Starts at 7:30pm over at Alamo South Lamar’s the Highball venue. Be there or never learn how Joe Dante tricked the Texas military into helping the production ofWhether you’re a Hello Kitty diehard or a Choco Cat devotee, you’ll love the Mochi Mochi crew’s tribute to the cutest mega company around. Sign up for their Sanrio costume contest, and maybe you’ll win a “fabulous prize.”Short-form video vixens Grant Gibbs and Ashley Gill have made much viral content outta their 15-year friendship. Now they’ve set their story to song in a musical comedy starting with their first meeting in sixth grade all the way to becoming… wait, “global pop stars”? Doing pretty good for formerDEI Comedy brings you another mind-blowin’ lineup with comics Lisa Smith, Kyler Green, Grace Pinegar, Ethan Martinez, and drag star Miss Steelya Girl.Celebrate the new Slayyter release with drag from Tigris, Karabiner, HoneyBaby, Angel Rawze, Embry Officially, and host Iggy Bank. DJ Ruby Knight takes the decks.Queer Black Women Alliance throws a night of friendship bracelet-making with the Atheist Community of Austin. Supplies, snacks, and bevs are provided, but feel free to bring your own.A full day filled with musical performances, games, and vendors centering the transgender community from Gender Unbound. Make sure to snag the newest edition of GB’s Pink Pages, a guide to local trans-owned and -friendly businesses – including yours truly.If you’re trans, looking for a new outfit, and live in Georgetown, you’re in luck. Georgetown Pride runs an affirming clothing swap with new and gently used items for trans and gender-diverse peeps. Bring stuff to swap, drop off stuff ahead of time at either Lark & Owl Booksellers or Silver Moon Curios, or make a small donation to get involved.Don’t trim, just get into the weeds with your co-hosts Karabiner and BeeBee Blvnt for this tribute to all things bushy. Lineup includes Atlas Mars, the Black Bimbo, Cherry Blitz, Damiana Divine, Impulse Purchase, Mx. Cuntstrood, and Papi Culo.Mistress Isabelle Brooks packs the three-floor Lounge once more with a fiery lineup including Lydia B. Kollins, Kori King, Norvina DuBois, and Kitty Kontour.The Trans Era and Venus Rising co-host this celebration of transgender bodies boasting live tunes by Banged Out and Twink Death along with drag by the Great Flying Cervix, MK Ultra, Ethel Institution, Mandy Quinn, Hurricane Short King, and Betty Boof. Learn more in this week’s Calendar featurette.The small specialty shop opens its niche product-packed walls to a new all-ages drag brunch. Kino Kino hosts alongside cast members Damiana Divine, Sir Beau Elliot, and Xoy. This week’s trans-centric edition features special guest T. Androgynous.Bid adieu – at least for now – to host Sir TRT as he hunkers down for “CLERIC GRAD SCHOOL” with this bye-bye blowout show. Co-host Sir Beau Elliot takes the reins, with special guests Flex Brojas and Tiny Taurus helping send this healer off.Find a cute trinket or two at this Cheer Austin yard sale. Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ elders through Rainbow Connections ATX.The master class continues with another lesson from Jack Rabid on top-tier drag makeup. Tickets run 5-20 bucks, and you’ll need to bring ya own brushes. It’s Mama Monster’s birthday, so celebrate with host Aira Juliet and drag by Lavender Thug, Ryan, and Sir Dree. DJs Miho and Xoy keep your pawsIn honor of Women’s History Month, Jose Da’Hype hands over his comedy show to host Lisa Smith for an all-ladies lineup that includes Rochelle McConico, Adrienne Brown, Jemischa Albo, Kandyce August, Halima Abshir, and Niki Coleman.An afternoon of bingo, joints, and prizes awaits at this California-sober sesh hosted by Venus Rising and the Trans Era. Natasha Nova guest stars.Join the Pilates Apothecary at this all-levels class that promises not only “that long, strong, grounded glow-up feeling” but also that you’ll “meet muscles you didn’t know RSVP’d.” BYOM, or bring your own mat.Throw flowers in the air and enjoy the vibes at this show hosted by BeeBee Blvnt and Karabiner. There’ll be performances by Traumada, Damiana Divine, and Travis Randy Travis as well as a sapphic resource fair and on-site STI testing.Hop right outta bed and onto the trail with Queer Black Women Alliance’s sun-up hike. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen – it’s gettin’ bright out there!Presented by Lez in the Capital, this party features spins by Jos Tha DJ and DJ Keej, in from San Antonio. Tooosauccy offers eats, and 3PS Hookah offers, well, you can guess.Share your story through poetry, song, dance, drag, or comedy at this all-ages open mic honoring Trans Day of Visibility. Reach out to host Kino Kino via Instagram to sign up.They’re back! The queer quad of Laura de la Fuente, Mase Kerwick, Charlie Blaine, and Javier Ungo bring their long-running variety show back to the stage with jokes, music, and audience games.All the way from the Big Apple comes comics Meka Mo and Jilberto Soto, ready for a li’l Southern hospitality from the Austin comedy scene. Lineup includes Dylan Carlino, Amy Shanker, Pete Angelo, Tone Bell, Everett Bragg, and Holden.Learn all the tips and tricks from expert makeup and drag artist Henlo Bullfrog on their teaching tour. Students get to take home a latex prosthetic as well.The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce offers a Zoom panel discussion about how the recent anti-trans Texas bathroom bill will affect local businesses. Panelists include Shelly Skeen , Sofia Sepulveda , and Landon Richie .Join ATX TV Festival and Your Local Book Club ATX for a steamy chat about the recent hockey-centric belle of the LGBTQ lit shelf ball. RSVP to attend.Host Alexander the Great breaks out the pink, blue, and white flag for this special Trans Day of Visibility edition of the THC drink special session. Kick off the fun with trans pride trivia then slide right into a T4T open mic. Special guests include Damiana Divine andHere’s what I’ve been cleared to say about this “international animation” double-feature programmed by oneMorgan Hyde. One, this screening is the day before her fifth HRT-iversary; two, though I can’t reveal the cartoon film titles, know that they will be “rat-themed”; and three, from Morgan, “I can pretty much guarantee these have never and will never screen in a theater any time soon.” See y’all there!The Pilates Apothecary’s Ashley Weber leads this Local Queer ATX gathering, where participants will reflect on the previous month before practicing rituals to slough off what’s no longer needed spiritually. has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.James Scott is a writer who has lived in Austin since 2017. He covers queer events, news, and anything pertaining to Austin's LGBTQ community. Catch his work writing film essays for Hyperreal Film Club, performing in Queer Film Theory 101 at Barrel O' Fun, or on his social media platforms: @thejokesboy on Twitter and Bluesky or @ghostofelectricity on Instagram.
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