Qmmunity: Take It Easy, But! Take It

A fun fact about me is that I live my life in pursuit of a headache-less day. To be totally pain-free is my ideal life: zero stomach problems, no weird twinge in my knee, and pure emotional bliss. However, as life continues, I find there is no world in which I’ll achieve my ache-less dreams.

Life sucks on a macro scale right now. Our soon-to-be president is a dolt, and a weird dolt, too. No one normal or well-adjusted would eat McDonald’s so much while sober. Freak legislators high on the power they think the incoming dolt in charge will give them have filed bathroom bills to keep trans women out of spaces they have every right to be in. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I believe all women deserve to go into a public restroom and sit on that little couch that’s in all ladies’ rooms for, I assume, contemplating life’s mysteries.

Pain is a daily issue, not just physically but mentally. Our queer community has little to keep us insulated from the horrors, especially those of us dealing with disabilities. So where we can, I invite all LGBTQIA folks to take care of themselves. Don’t push yourself to finish work when your head spins from news updates. Throw something frozen in the microwave when you’re hungry but can’t stomach moving a muscle. Take the easy road where you can. Social media bombards us with calls to strive in every part of our lives, and that’s just baloney. Do what works, save your energy, and fuck anyone who tries to sell you cooking full-course meals all the time.

Because I know I can’t avoid the stinging reality I live in, I try to find ease where I can. Ordering out when my heart is heavy so I can have energy to cook later. Taking a shower later in the day because I didn’t have the will to do so in the morning. Writing a column about being a slacker rather than doing an interview because I have pre-holiday senioritis.

Take care of yourself now, so you’re around when it counts later. There’ll never be a time when headaches totally disappear, but there can be a moment where headaches are few and far between.

Bless Your Heart

Friday 29, Drinks Backyard

Erica Nix hosts a squeer-dancing session with tunes provided by country king DJ Boi Orbison. After you dance, make sure to shop the Austin Artisan Market popping up there, too!

Drag Me to the Tavern

Saturday 30, the Tiny Minotaur

Hear ye, hear ye: Once more to the land of Cesar Chavez must ye roam to see all your drag fantasies. Sirs Travis Randy Travis and Beau Elliot host, with performances by Gatorr Gorr, Sinful Purchase, and Tangelo.

Small Business Saturday Market

Saturday 30, the Little Gay Shop

Resiliant even in the face of a recent door shattering break-in, the Little Gay Shop throws their answer to Black Friday with small biz style. Beyond the over 20 queer vendors hawking their wares, you’ll also be able to take photos with either Sexy Santa or Butch Santa, and enter a raffle to win up to $500 in prizes.

Big Ole Queer Market

Saturday 30 & Sunday 1, Palmer Events Center

Across two days, you can shop over 120 queer vendors all putting out their seasonal best. Also on offer are photo ops with Drag Santa and the Grinch: a prize to melt even the coldest of hearts.

Queer Skate Austin

Sunday 1, Mueller Skate Park

LGBTQIA skaters who board, blade, or otherwise wheel around are invited to join the penultimate Queer Skate meetup of 2024.

Sunday Masc

Sunday 1, Cheer Up Charlies

This month’s drag king-centric show is themed around Homo Depot, with performances by Dantes Shottgunz, Pierre Pressure, Wyatt Diamond, Casper Cain, and Juecee. Arby’s hosts and DJ Xoyish provides the tunes.

Self-Defense Classes

Monday 2, the Austin Eagle

In an effort to empower and protect the queer community, Coach Wrath Daddy hosts three classes on self-defense starting on Monday, Dec. 2, and continuing on Dec. 16 & 30.

Sixth Annual Sage Table Potluck

Wednesday 4, Lyons Gardens

A multigenerational event, this Rainbow Connections-run potluck welcomes LGBTQIA2+ folks of all ages to join in a delicious meal. Expect a special appeance from the Southern Ladies Social League’s Ima Hoot, as well.

MistleT: A T4T Social

Thursday 5, Cheer Up Charlies

According to event organizers Testo Junkies’ Insta post, Texas has the second-biggest trans population in the U.S. So, no duh you’ll meet a ton of trans hotties at this social, where holiday activities, vendors, and tunes from DJ Angel Doll mix to create the perfect transgender hurrah.