On Sunday, June 15, BookWoman’s Sarah Schoonhoven came into the North Lamar bookshop and found their window broken. At first, she worried this was a break-in – but nothing was stolen. Instead, someone had thrown a concrete rock through the middle of their rainbow Pride flag. For Schoonhoven and BookWoman owner Susan Post, all signs pointed to foul, fearmongering motives.
“With everything going on in Texas and the U.S. right now,” Schoonhoven says, “it would have to be a series of virtually impossible coincidences for this not to be a purposeful message.”
The attack isn’t the first time the feminist and loudly LGBTQ-centric store has faced bigoted backlash, with Post recalling several incidents over BookWoman’s nearly 50-year lifetime. (Their b-day is this December.) They’ve faced prior glass-shattering for their masking policies, churches picketing their previous East Sixth location, a bullet through the star on their Texas rainbow flag, religious tracts slipped inside their Wiccan section, and a Christian zealot laying hands on Post and praying over her. “It was easier than arguing with her,” Post explains, “and as we know you can’t pray the gay away!” Even in BookWoman’s first year of operation, Post remembers folks “calling us ‘dirty lesbians’ as we were (I think) the first openly queer and feminist retail space in Austin.”
Though these incidents have shaken the bookshop, hate has never dissuaded BookWoman from being a safe space for all LGBTQ, BIPOC, and other marginalized groups. In the two weeks since she found the broken window, Schoonhoven says she’s not nervous anymore.
“In the time since then I’ve been feeling more and more like this is a sign that we’re doing something right,” she says. “[We’re] a feminist bookstore, which means we wear our values proudly, and if someone who disagrees with those principles has heard enough to get angry about them, maybe other people are hearing us, too. I don’t mean to say that this is a good thing, to be sure, but considering what we’re up against politically in Texas and the U.S. right now, I’m not surprised anymore, and if anything I’m feeling more fired up about who we are and what we stand for.”
Helping patch over the hole in BookWoman’s spirit, locals have shown myriad support for the bookshop. Folks reaching out over social media, shopping online and in store, and even donating to literally fix the concrete-created crack are just some of the ways the community’s helped out. “It’s been a really heartening, emotional time to see how our community is showing up for us,” Schoonhoven reflects. “BookWoman means so much to so many people, and in this moment it’s been a great reminder.”
And here’s YOUR reminder to keep up the support by shopping at local queer-friendly spots like BookWoman beyond Pride Month. As Post says, “Our purpose hasn’t changed in 50 years and we are hearing that we are still needed! We hear you and we don’t intend to back down, but you must shop!”
Colors of Pride Showcase
Thursday 3, Electric Gravy
Enjoy dance and drag from a diverse lineup of local LGBTQ artists as well as complimentary cuisine from Electric Gravy, a live DJ, giveaways, and more. Tickets ($10) and drink specials help fund future Colors of Pride events. 9pm.
Body Mechanics: Sloppy Thursday
Thursday 3, Electric Church
Get sweaty before the stars and stripes go up with an all-night rotation of DJs Alex Harn, Javi, Divalis, and Dream Days. 15-buck cover lasts until 2:30; after that you’re forking over $20. 10pm.
First Thursday
Thursday 3, Top Drawer Thrift
For all of us who get outta work right as this thrift haven closes, Top Drawer hosts their monthly late shopping soiree from 5:30 to 7:30pm – with plenty of secondhand treasures for the finding.
Eagle Yearly BBQ Party
Friday 4, the Austin Eagle
Skip the patriotism and enjoy a backyard barbecue with the Eagle. Menu serves up cookout classics like pulled pork sammies, hot dogs, and burgers, with local vendors and performers keeping spirits high. Plus: free ice cream and no-questions-asked meal vouchers for those who need ’em. 2pm.
Naughty Little Cabaret
Friday 4, the Creek and the Cave
Straight from Chicago comes a sultry show run by ringmaster Rob Racine featuring a variety of truly spangled-ass stars. 11pm.
BootBack: Line Dance Brunch
Saturday 5, the Austin Eagle
Saddle up, pardner, because Country Fried Dance and Boi Orbison have lassoed the Eagle for an afternoon of free line-dance lessons. Plus, the full Eagle menu’s available for order. 1pm.
Middle School Dance Party: Summerboy
Saturday 5, Cheer Up Charlies
Rah-rah, oh-la-la! This dance party goes Gaga all night with DJs Ed West and Casstevens behind the decks, drag on the outdoor stage, and inside stage karaoke. Cover’s $10 for all little monsters 21 and up. 10pm.
Dungeons and Drag Show
Saturday 5, Sky Candy
Aerial, drag, and burlesque adventures perform incredible acts inspired by all manner of fantasy table-top roleplaying games. Plus, a vendor market featuring local artists. 7pm.
Austin Zine Fiends
Saturday 5, the Future Front House
Meet fellow zinesters, start your first zine, or participate in a special Comix Jam led by Logan Beecher. Zine-making supplies, snacks, and masks are provided, but you gotta bring yer own creativity. 11am.
Coco Cxnts
Saturday 5, Coconut Club
A Fourth Street classic, the Cxnts keep your weekends hot – or hotter, given that it is summertime. The Little Gay Shop pop-ups for all your shopping needs, and don’t forget to drop a donation to host Bohemia’s GoFundMe while she recovers from a broken foot. 1pm.
Big Tits Bigger Dreams
Saturday 5, Cheer Up Charlies
Winners of Best of Austin’s Drag Showcase award, Brigitte Bandit’s non-competitive open mic sashays in with guest co-host Karabiner, tunes by DJ Turito, and free pro photography by Scam Likely. Sign-up starts at 10am Thursday, so DM Brigitte ASAP. 7pm.
Yeehawties
Sunday 6, Austin Motel
Honk and tonk in the motel pool with beats by DJ Boi Orbison, hosts May Magdalene and Tequila Rose, and the honorable Lady Bull Johnson. Free with RSVP. 2pm.
Lezzz B. Honest
Sunday 6, Ani’s Day & Night
Brunch with the babes Venus Rising, Sir Beau Elliot, and Greta Grip at this sapphic-centric show. 8pm.
Queer Skate Austin
Sunday 6, Mueller Skate Park
Two, four, eight: It doesn’t matter how many wheels you roll on at this monthly meetup, cuz all manner of skating’s welcome. 7pm.
Tha’ Spot
Sunday 6, Rain on 4th
Fresh from her Majestic Ball performance, Diamond Dior Davenport hosts this showcase where pop-up twerk-offs, drag shows, and kiki balls are all on the menu. 8pm.
Very Delta Live!
Monday 7, Oilcan’s
In the fabulous flesh comes queen Delta Work to record an episode of her podcast at our very own Oilcan’s. Snag your tix fast to see her interview with Nadine Hughes as well as a performance from Tatiana Cholula. 9pm.
Goths of the Galaxy
Monday 7, Kick Butt Coffee
Monday Night Jammie Jam goes cosmically creepy at the second edition of their sci-fi show, featuring burlesque and drag. Dress in your goth-est PJs to put the fun in funereal. 7:45pm.
Babe ATX July Meetup
Tuesday 8, Mira Mira
Femme and gender-expansive DJ collective Babe ATX hosts their monthly meeting of the electronica minds with promises of Instagrammable photo ops, open decks, and surprises. 6pm.
Basura’s Boudoir
Tuesday 8, Rain on 4th
Host Basura opens up her stage for “debauchery, sexiness, shenanigans and a whole lotta phresh meat!” Open-mic hopefuls who sign up starting at 9pm may win a $75 paid booking for the next show via random drawings. 10pm.
Trans & Queer Yoga
Tuesday 8, OutWellness
Stretch your body and mind at this yoga practice perfect for beginners or anyone who needs a low-impact and body neutral workout. Taught by Kelly Marshall. 7pm.
The Ultimatum: Queer Love Watch Party
Wednesday 9, 1972 Pub
The new season’s just started burning up the screen with LGBTQ drama, so watch along with friends at Austin’s only women’s sports pub. 7pm.
Full Moon Swim
Thursday 10, Barton Springs Pool
Austin’s Queer Coven invites everyone looking for a howling good time to splash with them at this queer swim. Search for the Pride flag and “the gaggle of queer looking witches.” 8pm.
Weird Science Theater Presents: Shaun of the Dead
Thursday 10, Elysium
Hosted by Tangelo and Jack Rabid, this tribute to the first of Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy features drag from cast members as well as special guests Robert Rainbow, Jack the Stripper, and Ethel Institution. Cash cover ($9) so make sure you got the paper. 9:30pm.
This article appears in July 4 • 2025.