Gay Place

Before You Know It (Photo by Charlotte Marie Wood)

Being queer gets easier with time. This is especially true if you listen to that whole Dan Savage campaign, but what I'm saying is that being gay-of-center in 2016 is way greater than many of our LGBTQIA elders ever thought possible. Now, it's not always a cakewalk, but for the majority of adults, the day-to-day is a lot easier (and gayer) than ever before, which is something worth celebrating – hence the Gay Place's existence. With tonight's screening of Before You Know It, PJ Raval's documentary on the life of LGBTQ seniors, we not only get to celebrate what we have now, but those who came before us and paved this sparkly brick road.

GAYDAR

Screening: Before You Know It w/ Director PJ Raval Austin Public Library and UT's Humanities Institute host fab filmmaker PJ Raval's Before You Know It. The documentary follows the lives of three gay seniors over the course of a year. Expect a Q&A with the effervescent director after. Thu., Feb. 4, 7pm. Terrazas Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/974-3625. Free. www.beforeyouknowitfilm.com.

DENIM DOVES Sister-wives in a compound? Hellllooooooo! We're just gonna throw out some must-see names to wash those Kimmy Schmidt sugarplums right out of your head: Kerri Atwood! Florinda Bryant! Henna Chou! Alyssa Dillard! Judd Farris! Jenny Larson! Renna Larson! Khattie Q! Erik Secrest! Cyndi Williams! Thu.-Sat., 8pm, Through Feb. 13. Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Rd., 512/474-7886. $10-35. www.salvagevanguard.org.

The Dramazons Present: Trailer Dell Parke The Dramazons Theatre Troupe invites YOU to celebrate 10 years and their last performance with one hilarious cabaret meets trailer park, Cheez Wiz-filled comedy. Proceeds go to OutYouth and TENT. Feb. 5-13, Fri.-Sun. Bravo Theater at Balance Dance Studios, 4544 S. Lamar, Bldg. #300. $20. www.groundfloortheatre.org.

Tucked Hosted by Rachel Mykels Six queens, one stage. Get a little Tucked action, then release that frustration on the dance floor. Fridays, 11pm. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado, 512/649-1212. www.highlandlounge.com.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner Make dinner and fundraising fun again. Mystery themes, mystery locations for the first course. Bubbles and dessert follow at Nest Modern. Ticket sales go to Project Transitions. Nomnomnom. Sat., Feb. 6, 7-11:30pm. Nest, 1009 W. Sixth, 512/454-8646. $125. www.projecttransitions.org/guesswho.

Austin Gears' Gear Night The guys of Austin Gears have created a monthly safe zone for the q-mmunity. If it turns ya on: Wear it. If you're feeling a negative comment: Swallow it. Saturdays. Badlands, 1203 Chicon, 512/999-1917.

Bobby & Topher's Big Gay Heartbeat Brunch Gaylorious brunchers take over Juliet for mimosas, CupCake (drag superstar, not dessert), and Rachel Mykels. DJ Castro makes the party pop, not to mention a silent auction to support the 2016 Gay World Series. Cheers. Sun., Feb. 7, 11am-3pm. Juliet Ristorante, 1500 Barton Springs Rd., 512/479-1800. www.abcdeevents.com, www.fb.com/events/490832817790615.

LezzDance with The Arbuckle Trio Spend Super Bowl Sunday with music, dancing, and two TVs! Oh my! Sun., Feb. 7, 4-8pm. El Sol y la Luna, 600 E. Sixth, 512/444-7770. $10. www.fb.com/events/785485784928273.

Retina Retina: A Party brings a whole new meaning to Sunday Funday with this listicle lineup of DJs: Nymble Digitz, DJ Daddie Dearest, Mouthfeel, and Dylan Reece. Bears, otters, and the rest of the animal kingdom are sure to be in attendance. First Sundays. Plush, 617 Red River, 512/478-0099.

Q (+) PLUS - Support for Men Living With HIV A men living with HIV support group, developed and run by men living with HIV. Get support, offer support, make a community. Ages 18-32 welcome. Every other Tuesday. The Q Austin, 2906 Medical Arts St. jeremy.teel@theqaustin.org, www.theqaustin.org.

Drag Class Returns Drag Queen babies rejoice! There's a mama mentor waiting to school you in Drag 101. Compete weekly for a chance at cashing in. Top of the Drag Class gets $1,000 in cash money and bling! Tue., Feb. 9, 9pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth, 512/494-1150. contactus@rainon4th.com, www.fb.com/events/910589519048912.

The Q Core Group It's time to be a joiner. If you're a queer dude between 18 & 29, the Q's Core wants to hang out! Plan events, grow Mpowerment project, and preach about the joys of safer sex. Wednesdays. The Q Austin, 2906 Medical Arts. www.theqaustin.org.

Second Thursday Open Mic Poetry with Sarah Frances Moran and Jenuine Poetess An open mic for the ladies who love sonnets and verse. This month, Cindy Huyser hosts with special performances by Sarah Frances Moran and Jenuine Poetess. Bring a poem to share or just come to listen. Thu., Feb. 11, 7:15pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar, 512/472-2785. www.ebookwoman.com.

Treat Yo' Self Valentine's Dance Party If loving yourself is wrong then we don't want to be right. Treat yo'self to a dance party, get glittered, indulge in sweets, take a photo. Girlfriend DJs. Proceeds go to Planned Parenthood. As Ru says, "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" Thu., Feb. 11, 9:30pm. Swan Dive, 615 Red River, 512/943-7926. $5. www.fb.com/events/1663045360647824.

GAYLY AHEAD

OUTSIDER 2016 Last February, OUTsider stepped into the world of Austin's robust festival culture and (inter)national LGBTQ gatherings, knocking folks out with their gay wax museum and confoundingly enthralling performance art. This year's legacy goes to Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens. Wed.-Sun., Feb. 17-21. www.outsiderfest.org.

The Best Kink Advice Nobody Gave You Renowned sex educator/writer/artist/goddess Midori teaches and tantalizes on how to do kink better. Thu., Feb. 18, 6:30pm. Q Toys, 6800 Burnet Rd., 512/772-1614. $41.08. info@qtoysaustin.com, www.qtoysaustin.com.

YEAR 2 - Lesbutante and the Boss Can you believe it's only been two years since Lesbutante and the Boss entered the lez-party scene? Show 'em some love tonight with that free Champagne toast. Sat., Feb. 27, 9pm. Swan Dive, 615 Red River, 512/943-7926. Free w/ RSVP. www.lesbutanteandtheboss.com.