The Gay Place Guide to a Kweer SX 2017

It’s that time again. South by Southwest kicks off Friday, March 10 and, once again, we're here to keep things queer. Following in last year's footsteps, 2017’s Fest is literally sparkling with queer bands, queer panelists, and queer films. (And Jill Soloway’s keynote – see Saturday.)

Over the course of 10 nonstop days and nights expect a chaotic barrage of never-ending shows, free-flowing beer, and loads of quirky events. That’s right, there’s something for everyone at this year’s Fest. And at least a li’l somethin’ gay happening daily. Locals and out-of-towners alike should consider this the go-to guide for a kweer SXSW.

Friday, March 10

Lesbians Who Tech Coding Bootcamp – LWT team up with TechUp and include.io to answer all your questions on coding.

2pm, Highland Lounge, free.

2017 #BigGayKickoff Party – Austin’s Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce brings back their annual SX kickoff. This year they've got therepubliq, Equality Vodka, and OCH on board and the first 100 guest get a free EV drink ticket.

6pm, Oilcan Harry’s, free.

Sailor Poon + BLXPLTN = Oh My! – Local queer rockers Sailor Poon and BLXPLTN team up with Ringo Deathstarr, Tele Novella, Stiletto Feels, and more.

6pm, Cheer Up Charlies, free.

DapperQ Queer Style Meet & Greet SXSW 2017 – Lesbutante & the Boss and Lesbians Who Tech host a meetup with dapperQ’s Anita Dolce Vita, queer models Casey Leger and Pechi D, and “dapper chick” Sara Geffrard – the panelists of Sunday’s "Selling Out: Anti-Oppressive Queer Style Marketing."

9pm, Highland Lounge, free.

Lesbutante & the Boss + Lesbians Who Tech + dapperQ Official SXSW Soiree – Austin's notorious lezzie movers and shakers unite with dapperQ to kick off the Festival in queer style. So get yer groove on.

10pm, Highland Lounge, free.

Saturday, March 11

Jill Soloway: Film Keynote – Aside from being a writer, director, and the creator of one of television's best queer shows, Transparent, Jill Soloway is an outspoken feminist, queer, and trans-rights activist. As one of 2017's keynote speakers, Soloway will certainly add a breath of activism and queerness to SXSW Film.

11am, Convention Center, badge required.

aGLIFF Present the SXSW Queer Filmmakers Brunch – Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Fest hosts their annual SXSW filmmakers brunch. Attendees include Signature Move’s co-star and co-writer Fawzia Mirza (Her Story), Easy Living’s Jen Richards (Her Story), and The Mess He Made director Matthew Puccini, among others.

11am, The Iron Bear, free with RSVP.

Speed Mentoring Breakfast with Lesbians Who Tech – Find a mentor, be a mentor, learn something new, and build your network. LWT and include.io want to help connect queers with other people in tech.

11am, Highland Lounge, free.

Signature Move Official SXSW Film – Celesbian Fawzia Mirza stars in this queer “coming-of-age Muslim melodrama.” Also starring Shabana Azmi and Sari Sanchez. Directed by Jennifer Reeder, and written by Mirza and Lisa Donato.

1pm, Alamo South Lamar, badge required.

Angle of Ascent Film Screening – The AGLCC host this special screening of a CIA-created documentary on diversity and inclusion within the agency, including President Bill Clinton’s 1995 Executive Order 12968, which allowed queers to gain security clearances.

2pm, Oilcan Harry’s, free.

South by North Lamar: Celebrating the Power of Women in Music – BookWoman's annual showcase with host Jan Seides, A Proper Cup of Coffee, Dana McBride, Stefanie Fix, Kiya Heartwood, and more.

6pm, BookWoman, free.

Tech Jobs Tour Launch Party – Connecting badass, underrepresented, and talented tech professionals to jobs. TechUP takes a special interest in POC, queers, women, and people living with a disability.

6pm, Highland Lounge, free.

Talk Show: the Game Show – Guy Branum, formerly known as the “staff homosexual” on Chelsea Lately, hosts a celebrity comedy talk/game show mash-up with queer comedian Wanda Sykes, and more.

8pm, Esther’s Follies, badge required.

BLF Presents: Bound Tight – Escape the SXSW theme and strap on your harness instead. The bear bar and DJ Alpha do Saturday night right.

9pm, The Iron Bear, free.

Catnip After Hours - SXSW Interactive Pussy Edition DJs Nymble Digitz, Chklte, Phamstar, and more get catty at this late night, afterhours party. Attendees are encouraged to come out like cats and let loose to the bass. Complimentary kegs on hand with choice local Austin brewery libations for all.

10pm, location TBA, $20-35.

Sunday, March 12

Selling Out: Anti-Oppressive Queer Style Marketing – dapperQ returns to SXSW for a second year and another panel on queer visibility in fashion. "Mainstream fashion has been increasingly leveraging the digital networks of out LGBTQ fashion entrepreneurs to reach queer markets. Should queer style entrepreneurs lend their talents to mainstream platforms to change the industry from within?" The panel, comprised of dapperQ’s editor-in-chief Anita Dolce Vita, queer models Casey Leger and Pechi D, and "dapper chick" Sara Geffrard, discuss and question how.

11am, JW Marriott, badge required.

LGBTQIA+ Gaymers & Geeks Meetup – The guys who’ve dubbed themselves the “not-so-ambiguously gay duo,” Max Kruemcke and Patrick Matthews of Rooster Teeth, host the queerest, geekiest meetup yet. We’re not sure what “friendcodes” and “gamerscores” are, but if you do – this is the place to be!

3:30pm, JW Marriott, badge required.

Lesbians Who Tech (and Friends) Meet Up – LWT's founder Leanne Pittsford, and Austin's chapter leader Samantha Needham host the official SXSW meetup for lezzies in tech. A great way to network with other queer women in the industry.

5pm, JW Marriott, badge required.

Big Dipper Live – The big gay rapper drops in on Iron Bear’s weekly beer bust for a special SX performance.

9pm, The Iron Bear, free.

Monday, March 13

The Fashion Designer in the Age of Social Media: Vogue’s Sally Singer interviews Marc Jacobs – Marc Jacobs and Sally Singer talk inspiration, social media, and today’s pop culture. Oh, and fashion, obvi, specifically how “blurring the lines between luxury and mass” changed his work and today’s generation.

11am, Convention Center, badge required.

Authentic Muslim Voices Tell Their Stories – Fawzia Mirza (Signature Move) is one of four panelists discussing how the media shapes global perspective. The question of the hour: “Is it possible for stories told about and by people with Muslim-world backgrounds to change perceptions and break down stereotypes?”

12:30pm, Convention Center, badge required.

Queer Voices On and Off Screen – Queer, indie filmmakers discuss the stories their films should tell and explore the ways filmmakers can ensure LGBTQ perspectives are reflected both in front of and behind the camera. Panelists include Yvonne Welbon of Chicken & Egg Pictures, writer/director/producer Ingrid Jungermann, and producer/cinematographer Sam Tabet.

3:30pm, Convention Center, badge required.

Signature Move Official SXSW Film 6:45pm, Stateside, badge required.

Russell Butler – With a history rooted in Bermuda and the black, queer diaspora, Butler brings their “stripped down machine techno” to Austin by way of Oakland.

12mid, Cheer Up Charlies, badge required.

Tuesday, March 14

She Shreds Unofficial SXSW – An absurdly good, all-grrrl lineup. RSVP required. Thelma & the Sleaze, Mothers, Y la Bamba, and way more.

Noon, Las Cruxes, free (all ages, RSVP required).

Empress: bossbabesATX x Girlfriend Showcase – Two powerhouses join forces for an unofficial showcase featuring all-women artists, DJs, collectives, and zines. Talent includes TT the Artist, Keeper, Lauren Dickens selling Awful Goods, Peach Fuzz magazine, and queer music podcast Homoground.

Noon, Cheer Up Charlies, free.

Gina Chavez and Emily Wolfe – Local Music Flare – Latina folk singer-songwriter Gina Chavez and “resident rocker” Emily Wolfe prove SXSW is not just about outside talent. We’ve got loads of it here in Austin’s (queer) community.

9:20pm (inside) and 12mid (rooftop), Maggie Mae’s, badge required.

Wednesday, March 15

Tell Me I Can't: A Badass Backyard Show – A celebration of POC and LGBTQ communities. Performances include Sailor Poon, Moon Honey, Hannah Jove, Yatta Zoker, and more. Plus spoken word, buyable wares, and light art. Tacos will be grilled and bevies provided by Tito's, Lone Star, Lone Pint Brewery, Kickin' Kombucha, and Topo Chico!

Noon, 1172 Angelina, free.

SIR – Coming queerly out of Denver, this alt-rock meets pop-soul band lands at SXSW for their fourth year.

4pm, Darwin's Pub for RedGorilla Music Fest, free.

TheRepubliqFest 2017 (runs March 15-18) – therepubliq presents its third annual showcase of LGBTQ musical talent. Schedule still pending so follow Facebook for daily lineups.

4pm daily, Oilcan Harry’s, free.

PWR BTTM – New York’s queer DIY glam-punk duo get queer’d for SXSW.

7:30pm, Stubb’s, badge/wristband required.

Stargayzer Fest Unofficial SXSW Show – A dirty queer kinda night with Christeene, TT the Artist, Saturn Rising, DJ Mark Louque, and more.

8pm, Rain on 4th, free, 18+.

Mark Eitzel – One of California’s infamous gay indie rockers, and he’s playing multiple SX stages.

9pm, ACL Live at the Moody Theater, badge/wristband required.

Cherry Glazerr – L.A. garage rockers for the millennial era. This trio cover everything from homophobia and feminism to food cravings and lady-issues.

12mid, Elysium, badge/wristband required.

Thursday, March 16

The Revolution Will Be Livestreamed: Justice & Law – A sobering discussion on police brutality, technology, social media, and blackness. Incidences include last year’s Pulse nightclub tragedy and the fatal shooting of Philando Castile. Panelists include Dr. Sherri Williams.

11am, JW Marriott, badge required.

Phone Home Festival – The Carver Museum Cultural & Genealogy Center hosts an outdoor fest to celebrate radical self-care and creative courage. Colored Girls Hustle, Las Krudas, various local DJs, and many more will perform, and holistic wellness vendors will be vending.

4pm, George Washington Carver Museum, free.

Polyvinyl Record Co. 2017 SXSW Showcase – PWR BTTM, New York’s queer DIY glam-punk band joins forces with an all-star cast including Beach Slang and White Reaper.

8pm, Cheer Up Charlies, badge/wristband required.

Y'all or Nothing – Another night, another queer music set featuring Fee Lion, TIME, p1nkstar, DJ Kathi Kniess, and guests. Hosted by scream queens Louisianna Purchase and Zane Zena.

9pm, Rain on 4th, free, 18+.

Mark Eitzel – 11pm, St. David’s Bethell Hall, badge/wristband required.

Cherry Glazerr – 11:50pm, Barracuda, badge/wristband required.

Friday, March 17

Mark Eitzel – 3:30pm, Flatstock Stage, badge required.

Signature Move – 5:30pm, Alamo South Lamar, badge required.

Emily Wolfe – 8:30pm, ACL Live at the Moody Theater, badge/wristband required.

Cherry Glazerr – 9:20pm, ACL Live at the Moody Theater, badge/wristband required.

Saturday, March 18

SIR – 3pm (inside) and 5pm (outside), Shangri-La, free.

This Is (Not) the Gayest Show You’ll Ever See – ColdTowne’s first queer-themed main stage production. Written and performed by Laura de la Fuente, Jake Garrison, Ashley Blom, and more, for a super queer comedy show inspired by Austin's queer and trans communities.

7pm, ColdTowne Theater, $10.

Loamlands – Durham’s political queer rocker brings a little bit of Stevie, Bonnie, and Kim to the SX stage.

10:15pm, Barracuda, badge/wristband required.

Emily Wolfe 11pm, Lucille, badge/wristband required.

Sunday, March 19

Adios Austin Onward Indian Touring – Close out the Fest with Thelma & the Sleaze as they make noise with Dead Coast, Trementina, Leggy, and many more.

Noon, Cheer Up Charlies, free.

Lesbian Wedding: South by Come Out – Break out the bodysuits and slip on yer dancin' boots cuz Lez Wedding is back with a SX special edition. Drawing inspo from the dearly departed GayBiGayGay, this gathering will last all day and feature acts like Jenny Hoyston, Thelma & the Sleaze, GirlFriend, and more. With a photo booth by Homoground (fuck yeah!).

2pm, Sahara Lounge, $5 suggested donation.