Anyone else feeling a little overwhelmed by the current state of things? Or is that just because I caught a cold at Marshalls while checking out the discounted but still high-quality dried pasta noodles? Whatever the case may be, we’re all struggling for one reason or another. It just so happens that, for many queer people, that reason is state powers being specifically against the LGBTQ community. Could be a coverup for how royally the powers that be have f’d up the country, or could be just a genuine evil hatred in their hearts moving these ghouls forward in their attacks on queer kids, adults, and anyone who stands beside them. Honestly, the answer probably resides at a nasty intersection between these two possibilities. All we can do is resist passivity through supporting each other. Oh, and maybe make each other delicious clear broths that help loosen the nasal passages, for reasons totally unrelated to how many boxes of tissues I’m blowing through.
On that note – the support note, not the soup one – Girls Rock Austin needs a little financial help. Scratch that: Try a lot of financial help. The award-winning nonprofit music camp for gender-expansive youth had their grant funding pulled after city spending cuts, and this year won’t be able to host their summer activities for the first time in 18 years. “Not only will we be unable to host camp,” GRA writes on Instagram, “we have lost the ability to pay our staff, and we risk losing the storage unit where we hold our gear.” Right now, they’re trying to raise about $20,000 to be able to put on a summer camp in 2027. Donate via zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/keep-gra-rocking to help get our young girls and theys rockin’ again.
Guys, this will shock you, but I have another queer-led event that needs a little financial sponsorship. Trans x Mission’s upcoming June 13 Pride show, Tops & Bottoms, has three sponsor levels: $100 gets you two gen-admission passes, a logo on event flyers, and a shout-out on their socials, while $250 offers all the above plus two more passes, onstage recognition, and a co-branded social post. Sponsor ’em with $500 and above and you get four GA passes, a VIP kit, all the above promotional offers and tabling space + a solo social post. Help these folks get to their $1,000 goal so they can pay their stacked performer lineup and directly fund trans Texans’ gender-affirming care. Reach out via Instagram DMs before June 1 if ya interested.
Queer Film Theory: Queer TV!
Thursday 21, the Highball
In partnership with the ATX TV Festival, QFT’s media “professors” share their fave queer television memories. 7:30pm.
Mochi Mochi Presents: Fantasy
Thursday 21, the Highball
Witness this all-cosplay drag show explore the internet’s current favorite word, whimsy, in this fantasy show featuring Mars Morningstar, Target, Arinna Dior Davenport, and hosts Louisianna Purchase and Leia Sakura. 9:30pm.
Tuff
Friday 22, Kingdom
Sweat it out this Memorial Day weekend with a party presented by Queen Butch and Tuff Party. Featuring spins by BORIS, Amarji King, and Danny Lethal. 10pm.
Book Swap
Friday 22, the Little Gay Shop
Join the Little Gay Book Club for this “reduce, reread, recycle” event where donating or swapping a tome from your home shelf earns you 15% off your purchases. All leftover secondhand books get donated to Top Drawer. 6pm.
Doll Behavior
Friday 22, Neon Grotto
There’s nothing plastic about the power these dolls are spinning, with DJs Angel Doll, Ruby Knight, and Lavender Thug ruling the rooftop all dang night. 9pm.
Outer Heaven Disco Club
Friday 22, Brushy Street Commons
Get into dance mode with Outer Heaven’s return party after a European vacation. Tix are $5 as the desired vibe is “a rager” but arrive before 9pm and you’ll get in free.
Burlesque for the Girls
Friday 22, 1972 Pub
Burly-q fans and newbies alike will delight at this show featuring “sass, sparkle, and fierce fun all night long!” 9pm.
Stampede
Friday 22, the Highball
Stomp ya boots with all your queer cowpoke friends at this line dance party thrown by Neon Rainbows. Featuring Country Fried Dance lessons and spins by DJ Killgxrl. 8pm.
The Cher Show
Friday 22, 29th Street Ballroom
This IS your momma’s drag show, especially if your mom’s the incredible Cher – or if you’re host Brigitte Bandit, who brings this tribute party back with the one and only Momma Bandit for the Goddess of Pop’s 80th birthday. Expect drag from the Haus of Bandit babes highlighting tons of era-appropriate stars. 9pm.
Freaky Futch Day
Friday 22, Elysium
Celebrate a full year of sapphic drag with the Futch Fetish crew, including hosts Karabiner and Beebee Blvnt, swapping aesthetics, looks, and performance styles for the show. Plus, vendors, a duo costume contest, and a specialty lez drink menu. 9:30pm.
Horse Meat Disco
Saturday 23, Kingdom
Part two of a super sweaty Memorial Day weekend rager, Queen Butch continues the party with spins by Dr. Beard and Don Fairyleon. 10pm.
The Violet Crown’s Third Birthday
Saturday 23, the Violet Crown Wine and Coffee
Party with the winged pig for this coffee and wine bar’s third b-day. The queer-owned spot offers smashburgers, flash tattoos (Slowpoke), an Anytime Austin market, Sefra Mediterranean pop-up, drink specials, and spins by Kat Strong. 10am.
Bimbo
Saturday 23, Oilcan’s
Promised to be “the SEXIEST & SLUTTIEST party,” OCH includes in this bimbo-tastic lineup a drag show hosted by Ritzy Bitz, DJ sets with local icons as well as visiting spinners Loreto (CDMX) and Star Amerasu (LA), and vending by Clown Culture. 9pm.
Rhythms of Unity: A South Asian LGBTQ Dance Celebration
Saturday 23, Carver Branch Library
Featuring KhushATX, this afternoon of “music, movement, and storytelling” explores both traditional and contemporary dance practices from South Asia. 3pm.
Coffee and Chat
Saturday 23, Lazydaze
Meet up with other trans mascs and men at this Trans Guys Gather ATX social. This South Austin THC coffeehouse does allow smoking indoors, so be aware before attending. 1pm.
Paul’s Super Gay Gameshow
Saturday 23, Barrett’s, Too
Expect all sorts of queer gaming fun from this game show hosted by Paul Schmidt. 8pm.
Who Killed the Referee?
Saturday 23, 1972 Pub
Solve a mystery with time-traveling detective Lin Cognito as part of this event open to all ladies and nonbinary singles. 7pm.
Playdate
Saturday 23, the Far Out Lounge
Eileen Dover hosts this drag branch with special guests Kylie Kinks, Serena Blake, and combo performer and DJ Amy H. Graves. Plus, an Austin Vendor Market. Noon.
XXX Birthday Bash
Saturday 23, Drinks Backyard
Celebrate Maxine LaQueene’s birthday with this all-trans and nonbinary drag cast as well as an Austin Artisan Market pop-up. 7pm.
Splash Dance With Erica Nix
Sunday 24, Austin Motel
Exactly what the title implies: Everyone’s favorite summertime water aerobics class has returned with workout supreme Erica Nix leading attendees through a wet and wild physical odyssey. Tix sell out fast, so snag ’em now! 10am.
The Vixens of Volstead: Do You Want the House Tour?
Sunday 24, Hotel Vegas & Volstead Patio
Take a drive down Pretty Girl Avenue with your Vixens, May Magdalene, Veronica Valentine, and Mars, as well as special guest Iggy Bank. DJ Killgxrl spins. 1pm.
Mrs. Roper Romp
Sunday 24, the Austin Eagle
Teaming up with Top Drawer Thrift, the Eagle presents a retro party featuring drag, dancing, a costume contest, a Seventies photo booth, and plenty of shoppable caftans by Top Drawer. 4pm.
DayGayz: Memorial Day Play
Monday 25, Coconut Club
Join the all-girl, all-POC party this Memorial Day led by emcee Key Saint. Lineup includes Baby Got Drip, Joii Boii, Jos tha DJ, and DJ Too Easy. 2pm.
Costume Figure Drawing
Tuesday 26, Barrett’s, Too
Do a li’l sketching with clown and costume maker the Pyromantic Bunny as your muse. BYO art supplies, and since the event’s free, please tip ya model kindly. 6pm.
The High Club
Tuesday 26, Oilcan’s
See Alexander the Great at the tail end of the drag king’s MAYhem tour, hosting his usual Tuesday night variety and game show featuring specials on THC bevvies. 9pm.
Austin Pride Pageant
Wednesday 27, Rain on 4th
Who will be the drag royals at this year’s Austin Pride? Competing for the Mr., Ms., Mx., and Elite Austin Pride titles, pageant hopefuls strut their best stuff for the judges during this night of unforgettable performances.
Women’s Wellness Night
Wednesday 27, 1972 Pub
Learn more about aging well, thyroid issues, menopause, nutrition, and pelvic floor therapy with Central Texas Holistic Health and speakers Abby Brown, CNM; Andrea De Luna, PA-C; Eva Montes, PA-C; Emily Van Eck, MS, RDN; and Rebecca Maidansky, PT, DPT. 5pm.
In the Calendar
Y2K Rewind Dance Party
Saturday 23, 29th Street Ballroom
If modern media has you craving the simplicity of the pre-iPhone, wired-headphones, CD-centric days of the early 2000s, ditch your AirPods and head Downtown this weekend for a nostalgic dance party, hosted by the events nonprofit Interplanetary Help Desk. The fundraiser raises money for Jane’s Due Process, a local organization that supports teens navigating parental consent laws and abortion bans in accessing birth control, and celebrates its 25th anniversary. Why not click rewind and dance the night away into decades past with DJ Dragonnqueen spinning Aughts pop ‘til dawn? – Rachel N. Madison
Funeral Parade of Roses
Monday 25, Alamo Village
Sometimes, you don’t gotta dig that deep for why a movie’s gotten programmed into Alamo’s Queer Film Theory 101 screening series. This Japanese avant-garde feature from Toshio Matsumoto headlines its textual queer representation from minute one as the loose adaptation of Oedipus Rex follows a trans host club employee played by the one and only Peter (stage name of Shinnosuke Ikehata, also of Akira Kurosawa’s Ran and the fourth film, Devil Woman Doctor, in the infamous Guinea Pig series). According to its director, this experimental movie in the Japanese New Wave movement is “in a way a film about filmmaking,” which I have to say is a pretty queer cinematic subject! Alamo says it is “kinda giving SHOWGIRLS, but Japanese and far weirder and more confusing,” but I say this flick also gives Querelle, Pink Narcissus, and perhaps even A Hard Day’s Night. You’ll have to see it to understand, I guess. – James Scott
This article appears in May 22 • 2026.
