Rest in prismatic peace: Austin’s rainbow crosswalk buffering the west side of Fourth’s gay strip has been removed. While not the only removed street decor – other washed-away icons include the East 11th Black Artists Matter mural and Guad’s all-caps TEXAS – it’s certainly the one causing the most kerfuffle. First given the official chopping block orders last October, this Greg Abbott-mandated scrubbing away of local personality was countered by a Change.org petition asking local officials to “protect our beloved ‘Black Artists Matter’ and LGBTQ+ pride sidewalks.” As of this Tuesday, the petition has 5,330 signatures.
And yet, despite a request from Austin for an exception, the multicolored walkway is no more. In its place is a promised historical marker, which Commissioner Garry Brown of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission says will be up Friday morning on Aug. 21, just in time for Austin Pride. For now, we’ll all have to make do with the various rainbow-painted electrical boxes and, oh, you know: each other. Perhaps it’s time we all started wearing more prismatic pieces – a rainbow pin, shirt, socks, or hat – to show the queer community spirit is bigger than TxDOT’s regulatory powers. Oh! Maybe we can all get rainbow cars, and rainbow tires, too. Rainbow airplanes? A rainbow party bike?
All right: I get ahead of myself. Let’s get the historical plaque first, and then we can discuss gaying up all of Austin’s vehicles.
How about a little posi news for the gay and hirsute population? Local ursine hang the Iron Bear – who previously had their spot on Sixth imperiled back in 2022 – has gotten a five year extension on their lease. Currently hitting their 15th year in business, owner Roger Rozell says they’re doing a light revamp of the space including updated lighting at the front bar, replacing the back AC unit, and fresh ceiling fans. If you’ll recall from yours truly’s gay bar bathroom story last year, I got to Iron Bear too late to try their much complimented menu, but that won’t be a problem soon. Rozell says they’re adding new late-night options for after the kitchen closes: hot dogs, available regular or deep-fried & bacon-wrapped. Absolutely heart-stopping, huh?
Pride Summer Throwdown
Thursday 23, Creature Coffee Co.
Head to this local java bean roaster for a coffee-making competition benefiting OutYouth. First pour’s at 7pm, with oat milk and matcha rounds sponsored by Oatly and Zhi Tea respectively. Plus food, tattoos, a DJ, and raffle prizes. 6pm.
Austin Bear Weekend
Friday 24 – Sunday 26, Highland Lounge, Austin Eagle, and Coconut Club
Get ready for a grizzly good time at this weekend-long cele-bear-tion. There’ll be pool parties, lake parties, and enough big beautiful bods to give you “paws.” Nab a pass at austinbearweekend.com.
Stop Light Lez Skate
Friday 24, Pins & Wheels at Playland
Skate and find a mate with co-presenters ATX ChocLit LGBT and Studs vs Fems. Color coding helps make everyone’s situation clear, including anyone in a situationship (yellow). 8pm.
JoJo’s Bizarre Dragventure
Friday 24, Cheer Up Charlies
Strike a pose with your stand for this JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure drag show featuring a cosplay contest, raffle prizes, themed drinks, and more. Baby and Starstrukk Majesty host. 10pm.
Stampede
Friday 24, the Highball
Round up your best cowpokes for a line dance party from Neon Rainbows, with Country Fried Dance leading the pack and spins by DJ Kshal setting the pace. 8pm.
Friskmas In July
Friday 24, Captain Quackenbush’s Sound Space
Get frisked but in a seasonally inappropriate way at Frisky Business Burlesque’s yuletide yahoo during the summer. Coco Kitty hosts with solo and group acts galore. 8pm.
I Scream Social
Friday 24, Alienated Majesty Books
Cold treats and great reads meet at this month’s Host Publications social, this time featuring translators Cristina Herrera Mezgravis and Francisco Aragón. Laura Villareal moderates a poets on translation panel, and an open mic invites any bards to bandy their words. Plus, ice cream. Duh! 7pm.
Vinyl Night
Saturday 25, allgo
Spins for the win tonight at this social safe space for LGBTQ Black and Indigenous music lovers. Bring your own records, enjoy other’s selects, and partake of provided snacks and drinks. 7pm.
Butch Prom: The Butch Pageant
Saturday 25, Elysium
Celebrating their first year in the butch biz, this promenade puts on their rendition of a pageant centered on queer masculinity. Competitors will be asked to strut their stuff for judges Travis Randy Travis, Hurricane Short King, Flex Brojas, and Damiana Divine for the title of Mx. Butch 2026. Plus, music all night, community awards, bootblacking, buzzcuts, shopping, and a special performance by Tenderoni. 9pm.
Camp Club Chub
Saturday 25, the Iron Bear
Short shorts and a positive camper spirit required for this campy edition of the Bear’s monthly big-boy bash, hosted by Scarlet Sagamore. 9pm.
Coffee and Chat
LazyDaze, Saturday 25
Have a cup of joe with a trans guy named Joe – or Aiden, or Erik, or even Socks – at this social organized by Trans Guys Gather ATX. 1pm.
Drag for All
Saturday 25, OutWellness
Haus of Pump offers another lesson on drag dos, don’ts, and yas, honeys. Noon.
Star Power: A Steven Universe Drag Show
Saturday 25, Valhalla Tavern
They are the Crystal Gems, and will this drag show save the day? Maybe, but it’ll definitely give you a night of Steven Universe cosplay hosted by Atlas Mars and Hot Lunch. 9pm.
Afterglow
Saturday 25, the One
An immersive runway explosion, this fashion fete features eight designers, a best makeup and dressed contest, nail art, and the Trans Era as the night’s host. 9pm.
Brigitte’s Drag Hoedown
Saturday 25, Stoney’s Good Time Ranch
Have a rootin’ tootin’ time with host Brigitte Bandit at this drag show featuring Iggy Bank, Hya Zakite, and Yvonna F. Mei. 9pm.
Fantasy Flirts
Saturday 25, Tiger’s Den
Travel to fantastical new worlds with this fairy-inspired burlesque show from Noxx’s Nightshade Nerdlesque. 8pm.
Dykes Wanted
Saturday 25, Ani’s Day & Night
Help these sapphics out as the board members of the Austin Dyke March auction off … themselves! Hopping on a chance to give these rabbits a task like chess lessons, drag makeovers, or handy person services puts a little more coin in their coffers, so join hosts Damiana Divine and Hurricane Short King in supporting this year’s march. 5pm.
Good Judy
Sunday 26, Austin Motel
Splash about with host Cheeki Khant for this poolside party featuring performances by Arinna Dior Davenport and Yvonne D. Amour. DJ Ed West also appears with special guest DJ Angel Doll. 2pm.
The Patio Sessions
Sunday 26, Highland Lounge
She 23 enlivens this monthly vibe hang, presented by Pride in Black ATX. 4pm.
Muse: A Tumblr Drag Show
Sunday 26, Firehouse Lounge
Embry Officially and Riotgirl host this tribute to the definitely-not-dead social media site that gave us so many good, bad, and cringe moments lingering through today’s internet soup. Dress code is the shoelaces the president gave you. 9pm.
Queer MMA Free Class
Sunday 26, Black Widow MMA
Learn a punch or two with Coach Lu at this brief on boxing focused on defensive maneuvers. 11am.
Mommie Dearest
Sunday 26, Cheer Up Charlies
Soft Focus cinema club takes it back to one of the original unstable divas with this kooky biopic about having Joan Crawford as a mother. 5:30pm.
Queer Two-Step Night
Monday 27, Sagebrush
Your fancy footwork led by Cowpoke Movement gets a musical boost from live performers Missy Beth and the Morning Afters. 7pm.
Queer Service Industry Dance & Social
Monday 27, the Butterfly Bar
For service workers who really know how to serve, Potion Pixie presents this party celebrating all y’all’s hard, you know, work. Expect drinks, food, DJ Kshal, and a pre-event screening by Watermelon Film Club. 9pm.
It’s Charli BBY
Tuesday 28, Barbarella and Swan Dive
A diva’s birthday this big covers both of these Red River bars, so dance around the sister locations while enjoying the latest Charli xcx album, Music, Fashion, Film. 9pm.
Queer Jazz Lecture
Wednesday 29, Twin Oaks Branch Library
Thought jazz only covered straights with saxophones? Learn otherwise with lecturer Beau Briar at this presentation series delving into the music genre’s intersection with queer culture through yesterday and today. 6:45pm.
Wednesdays We Gather
Wednesday 29, House Wine
Join HRC Austin along with Eileen Lawrence, PLLC, for a crash course in estate planning. Learn about wills, trusts, and everything you need to help your loved ones when you’re no longer able to. 7pm.
Y’all-ternative Line Dance Party
Thursday 30, Elysium
Country Fried Dance hypes up all the unconventional music genres one can boot-scoot to at this mega dance party. It’s not just country that gets bodies moving: Learn a line dance to punk, alt, emo, and more – as long as you stay respectful of your fellow dance floor fiends. 8pm.
This article appears in July 24 • 2026.
