Gay Place

"Adolescence" by Drew Riley

Today we celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility. As L and G rights gain more traction, trans rights are too frequently swept under rugs or pushed aside. Yes, it's getting better, but we're a long way from perfect (or even OK). Last year in the U.S. 23 trans women were killed, and many of them were women of color. But today is not for mourning, it's for celebrating life and demanding visibility. "For a highly stigmatized group, like transgender people, visibility illuminates and normalizes them to the rest of the world," says artist Drew Riley (see today's listing). "Visibility births education, and education births empathy. And that possibility for empathy has the potential to reduce the need for November's Transgender Day of Remembrance."

GAYDAR

Transgender Day of Visibility Feat­uring Drew Riley and Kristin Beck A day to celebrate the enTire T and nonbinary community. Riley will talk on art for advocacy and trans activist Beck gives one helluva keynote. Shine on. Thu., March 31, 4pm. LBJ Student Center, 601 University Dr., San Marcos. www.fb.com/transcendtxstate.

BlackLight Showcase An open mic with the Mahogany Project kicks off Black Pride. Free your mind and the rest will follow. Thu., March 31, 6-9pm. Southern Hospitality Catering & Dining, 6700 Middle Fiskville #405. $10 buffet, free show. www.fb.com/austinblackpride.

Guerrilla Queer Bar: Dog Days are Here The dog days are here and extra queer. This month's GQB takes over Yard Bar for the queer dog park of yer dreams. Fur babies welcome and free admission when ya bring a donation for Austin Pets Alive! And remember: Drink. Talk. Make out. Thu., March 31, 6-10pm. Yard Bar, 6700 Burnet Rd. www.fb.com/wherethegirlsgoatx.

Black Pride KickOff Rev those engines, this happy hour is the start of a long Black Pride weekend ahead! Fri., April 1, 6pm. Side Bar, 602 E. Seventh. Free, donations accepted. www.austinblackpride.com.

Hail Yasss: The Glitter Takes It All (A Swede-ass Drag Tribute to ABBA) The Platter is back and dishing out an "ABBA-solute shit show." Ms. Cola is the lovely host, and grrrls Kitty Buick, Zane Zena, Louisianna Purchase, Sticky Gold, and more will glitter up the dance floor Seventies-style. 18 and up welcome. Fri., April 1, 10pm. Elysium, 705 Red River. $5. www.fb.com/poopooatx.

Relay Revel: Black Pride Day Party It's a day fulla pride. Getcher day drink on, mingle with the kweers, and if yer feelin' feisty sign up for the spades tournament. Food comes out at 1pm! Donations gladly accepted. Sat., April 2, noon-5pm. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. Free. www.austinblackpride.com.

Relay Revel: The Official Black Pride Party Party party party! Dance like it's Black Pride (cuz it is). Catch the show at 10:30pm, but please don't stop the music. Sat., April 2, 9pm. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. Free. www.austinblackpride.com.

Black Pride Brunch with Beyond Brothas Mimosa. What better way to fix that hangover? Meet up and send Black Pride off over eggs, guac, and bevvies. Sun., April 3, noon. Iron Cactus (Downtown), 606 Trinity, 512/472-9240. $23 for buffet and unlimited mimosas. www.austinblackpride.com.

Score@OCH First Sundays Let's see those jerseys out in force. (They earn you some discounts at the bar.) Come get social with other sports-minded jock-o-philes. First Sundays, 4pm. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth, 512/320-8823. www.oilcanharrys.com.

Retina: A Party brings a whole new meaning to Sunday Funday with this listicle lineup of DJs. Expect some serious grrrl power this month! First Sundays. Plush, 617 Red River.

Austin Icon Lotería Fundraiser & Raffle hosted by Colleen DeForrest and Mandy Quinn Help fab cyclists Lone Star PosPeds eliminate the stigma with their Lotería fundraiser and raffle to benefit this year's Hill Country Ride for AIDS. Added bonus, Colleen DeForrest and Mandy Quinn are gonna get their hostest on. Tue., April 5, 6:30pm. Speakeasy, 412 Congress, 512/476-8017. Free, $5 suggested donation to play. www.hillcountryride.org.

Take Back the Night An evening for all genders to come together to illuminate and eliminate sexual violence and support survivors. The event will feature keynote speaker Ebony Stewart and performances by Charlie Belle and Beauties & the Beat-UT A Capella. Not to mention art, an open mic for survivors to share stories, and free food. Wed., April 6, 6:30-9pm. Voices Against Violence, UT-Austin, Student Services Building, 100 W. Dean Keeton. www.cmhc.utexas.edu/vav/index.html.

GAYLY AHEAD

Austin International Drag Festival ATX Drag Fest year two is upon us. Spend the days dolling around Drag Village, spend those nights stunned by stunning showcases. Plus a welcome dinner and show on the first night and a Bye Felicia Breakfast the final morning. It's a glamorama good time. See website for full schedule. Thu.-Sun., April 28-May 1. $30-99. www.austindragfest.org.

Hill Country Ride for AIDS Join the ride, end the stigma, raise some money, and make a difference. Bikers choose between 13, 27, 43, or 65 miles, with a celebratory swim at Krause Springs. Dive in. Ride on. Sat., April 30. www.hillcountryride.org.

Mortified Seeking LGBTQIA Partici­pants Do you crave the spotlight? Are you a fan of TMI? Well then, Mortified Austin is looking for you to perform at their Big Gay Mortified show in May. If yer an adult with a horrific, embarrassing, hilarious (queer-centric) story from yer teen years, submit it online at www.getmortified.com/participate.