I confess: Last Wednesday had me in a real bad place. That’s when news hit about the passing of House Bill 229, which reheats the nachos first shat out by that one guy’s executive order on defining everything by biological sex while also utilizing lazy science in their reasoning. My main feeling was a deep sense of shame: I should’ve done something to stop this, right? Called a representative, marched, or written a letter – you know, all the stuff they tell ya to do in infographics. Yet I know countless people who DID all that, and their words failed to move the stone-cold hearts within many conservative lawmakers. What’s any of our effort worth when we’re up against powerful people who flat out want the worst for us? A second confession: The perspective shift I needed came the next night at a screening of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. I know! It’s not even a top three M:I feature. But for some reason, that little phrase they have about protecting not just “those we hold close,” but also “those we’ll never meet” really hit right then. Even when the stakes are high and the odds are – you know – impossible, we have to keep going. Now, I admit legislative fights aren’t as flashy as a movie stunt – as much as I’d love to battle Rep. Ellen Troxclair (a HB 229 co-author) in a sky-high biplane battle – but I’ll keep trying my best. And that’s your mission too, reader, should you choose to accept it…
First Thursday: Pride Edition
Thursday 5, Top Drawer Thrift
Usually this secondhand shop shuts their doors at 5pm, but every first Thursday Top Drawer allows after-hours perusal. Step in this month for a special Pride party, with the usual wine accompanied with sweet treats, new (aka just donated) product sneak peeks, disco music, and an extra secret surprise. 5:30pm.
Queer Tarot Show & Share
Thursday 5, Central Library
Tuesday Lim sets up at Austin Public Library’s Downtown location for this special Pride event where tarot experts and newbies can show off their decks, learn more about tarot, and find new besties in the cards. 6:30pm.
Tongue in Cheek: Queer Comedy Open Mic
Thursday 5, Swan Dive
After three and a half years bringing queer and allied comedy to Red River – and beyond – host Ivy Le throws one last open mic before she heads off to Berlin. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll see just why this show was so darn special. 8pm.
My Own Private Idaho
Thursday 5, Milwood Branch Library
Settle in for a screening of Gus Van Sant’s loose adaptation of Henry IV, featuring Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix in their most heartbreaking roles, as part of Austin Public Library’s Pride Month curation. 6pm.
Hard Rubber: In Solidarity
Thursday 5, Kingdom
Techno/trance traders Hard Rubber intro a new party made in partnership with queer party experts the Electric Pearl, with all door proceeds benefiting free Texan sexual health services.
Dos Mujeres Un Jotito.
Thursday 5, Cheer Up Charlies
Come dance your heart out to baile funk, perreo, ghetto tech, gauracha, and – duh – gay club tunes spun by DJs Turito, Xoy, and Angel Doll. 9pm.
The Worst Gay Bar in Austin
Thursday 5, Dirty Bills
Self-proclaimed “worst gay bar in Austin” challenges that title by securing one of the city’s hottest DJs – p1nkstar – for a monthly residency. 10pm.
Sana Sana: Pride Edition
Thursday 5, Ani’s Day and Night
Kino Kino hosts this all-ages open mic where any queer artist can show off their stuff onstage. DM the host to sign up. 8pm.
Lavender’s Lesbian Pride Party
Friday 6, Lefty’s Brick Bar
C’mon down to East Sixth for a party that’s been described as “flirty,” “mysterious,” and “the biggest sapphic event of the Austin Pride season” – by the event organizers. Promised delights include DJs, drinks, and an overflow of sapphic spirit. 8pm.
Kokomo City
Friday 6, Hyperreal Film Club
Presented by your gay little friends at HFC alongside homeless support outfit Queertopia, this D. Smith-directed doc showcases four Black trans sex workers and their lives in New York and Georgia. 7:30pm.
Slaynetics: the Pseudoscience of Drag
Friday 6, Valhalla
Help support Austin International Drag Festival 2025 and learn the truth about the drag elites. Are they really aliens sent to Earth to further our understanding of bedazzling? Hmmm… better drop that $10 cover charge to find out. 10pm.
Freak Chic: A Southern Playas’ Burlesque
Friday 6 – Saturday 7, Sterling Stage Austin
Shea Butter Babies Productions presents a celebration of what they call “the golden age of Black Southern culture,” complete with a vendor market, food trucks, a Best Dressed contest, and two full nights of burlesque, music, and spectacle honoring Southern swagger. Saturday’s performance precedes a separately ticketed afterparty, which includes performances by Chakeeta B. and B Spoke. 7pm.
Smokey’s Screenings Presents: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Friday 6, Triple Six Social
All y’all San Marcos-ians itching for a queer cinema sit-down need wait no longer, as “Comedy Countess” Smokey Zbornak and special guest Duchess DeVille screen this drag-queen classic. There’ll also be a queer market with special appearances by San Marcos Queer Council, Bobcat Pride Scholarship Fund, and PFLAG San Marcos. 6pm.
Queer Rogue Night
Friday 6, Tiny Minotaur Tavern
When in the Rift – aka the fictional area Tiny Minotaur’s LARP takes place in – do as the rogues do: Be a gay criminal. Members and their guests get in free; all others fork over $15. 7pm.
Queerbomb
Saturday 7, Capitol South Lawn
After a little “march madness” so to speak, Austin’s counterculture Pride celebration storms the Capitol with baskets and blankets for a community picnic on the lawn. Come with your own rage, love, ideas, and probably a dip to share. 11am.
Fourth Annual Round Rock Pride Festival
Saturday 7, Centennial Plaza
Why settle for one Central Texas-set Pride when you could attend ’em all? ATX neighbor Round Rock kicks off the season with a fest featuring food trucks, a queer makers’ market, and tons of fabo performers including the Austin Gay Men’s Chorus, Javon, Luiz Fatale, Maxine LaQueene, and many more. 2pm.
ATX Trans Pride
Saturday 7, Cheer Up Charlies
The top trans minds of Austin team up for a Totally Terrific Time featuring speakers, music, drag, a vendor market, and so much more. Peep the lineup and secure your RSVP via atxtranspride.com. 9pm.
Plant Magic & Queer Foraging Walk
Saturday 7, Festival Beach Food Forest
Together with Austin’s Queer Coven and Austin Food Forest, you’ll take a trip through the edible, medicinal, and magical flora sprouted in our own faire city. Snag a ticket via AQC’s Insta bio. 6:30pm.
Slide in the DMs
Saturday 7, Fallout Theater
Top-tier comics dig into their most embarrassing DMs – received AND sent – as fodder for the show’s improv talent. Angelina Martin hosts. 10pm.
Pride Party Drag Show
Saturday 7, Still Austin
Hosted by Owie, this drag party shows off the sickening shenanigans of featured players Kylie Gorgeous Dlux, Arinna Dior Davenport, and Diamond Dior Davenport. 5pm.
Blushin’ Roulette
Saturday 7, Captain Quackenbush’s
Join Frisky Business Burlesque for an unpredictable yet unforgettable night of burlesque, comedy, and performance art that’s half planned, half chaos, and all set to live music by Claudia Project. 7pm.
N4sty Beatz
Saturday 7, Coconut Club
Your trans cup runneth over this Saturday, as DJs Lidia Beatz and SuperMcNasty go B2B on Coco’s rooftop blasting club anthems, hip-hop, and “raw, queer energy.” Fresh from a NOLA visit, Aira Juliet hosts. 9pm.
Pride Party
Sunday 8, Distribution Hall
You KNOW it’s June when the Little Gay Shop populates this Third Street warehouse with allllll the queer vendors you could ever imagine. Come for the LGBTQIA shopping; stay for the booksignings, vinyl DJs, gay dog outfit spotting, and much more. 11am.
Pride Month Skate & Picnic
Sunday 8, Mueller Skate Park and Lawn
“All wheels, all abilities, all identities” are welcome for this week’s special Pride skate meetup of the wheel wielders. Snacks and drinks will be on offer, but Queer Skate Austin says you can bring your own, too. 6pm.
Say That! A Conversation Series
Sunday 8, the Iron Bear
ASHwell presents another discussion in their chat series, this time digging into “The Other Side of Pride: Intentional Alt Spaces.” Listen in as the folks behind Queerbomb, Beyond Brotha, ATX Choclit LGBT, and the Gay Softball League talk about organizing queer events. 12pm.
Lezzz B. Honest: Riotfair Takeover
Sunday 8, Ani’s Day and Night
The newest sapphic shake-up of the Sunday drag brunch falls under riot rule this weekend when host Venus Rising invites Riotgirl and Titty Androgynous over from Oilcan’s. 1pm.
The 78th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party
Sunday 8, Cheer Up Charlies
Theatre kids are encouraged to salute stagecraft with hosts Cassie Opeia and Hilda Dixon at this campy celebration featuring drink specials, drag, and a Broadway-inspired dress code. 7pm.
Bebesota Brunch: I’m a 90’s B*tch
Sunday 8, Taquero Mucho
Time travel to two decades ago with your best girls Amber Nicole Davenport, Arinna Dior Davenport, Leche Diamanté, and host Beauty. Plus: a $10 mimosa tower drink special. 1pm.
Soft Serve: Men of R&B
Sunday 8, Cheer Up Charlies
BabiDoll hosts and spins sweet rhythm & blues with performances by JT Davenport, Midnight Luan, and Bobby Pudrido. 10pm.
One World, One Music Presents Pride Recital: Music Unites
Sunday 8, Studio A
Hear the notes of queer composers past and present at this recital performed by LGBTQIA musicians and allies. Arrive early to enjoy a pre-concert conversation about queer representation in the musical arts, as well as the show’s performers’ personal journeys, and stick around for an afterparty. 3pm.
Virtual Graphic Novel Book Club: The Heavy Bright
Monday 9, Virtual
Discuss the magical mayhem of Cathy Malkasian’s fantasy graphic novel, where a queer woman must destroy the magical objects held by the men who’ve used them to oppress all that’s different. RSVP via Eventbrite before attending. 6:30pm.
The Morning Jo’s & Austin Front Runners Pride Social
Tuesday 10, Cheer Up Charlies
Those who’re sprint-sexual and otherwise are advised to jog on over to this Pride-themed hangout, with musical drag bingo hosted by Louisianna Purchase and Ruby Knight. 7:30pm.
Three Trans Poets in Conversation
Tuesday 10, Alienated Majesty Books
A tri-trans treat for written-word fans awaits at this reading, with conversation and excerpts from recent works by CD Eskilson (Scream / Queen), SG Huerta (GOOD GRIEF), and KB Brookins (Pretty). 7pm.
Fems, Stems & Flowers
Tuesday 10, Pease Park
Fresh from their debut, Black queer party planners TribRelations explore the softer side of sapphism with a flower bouquet making party. Coffee and pastries provided, but bring a flower bundle to share.
Self Defense Workshop
Tuesday 10, allgo
Queer and trans BIPOC attend this lesson on self defense from coaches Mars and Lu, where you’ll learn practical techniques to address real-world situations. RSVP ahead of time at bit.ly/selfdefense0610. 6:30pm.
Cooking Club: Supper Clubs & Queer Community
Tuesday 10, Central Library
A special Pride edition of the Austin Public Library’s culinary course, this month’s event features an ice-cream social along with a lesson on the queer history of supper clubs. Delicious! 5:30pm.
Preaching to the Perverted
Wednesday 11, Double Trouble
Bloody Rose Boutique is back on North Loop with another free queer feature. This week’s pick is a Nineties BDSM dramedy from the UK, preceded by live music from Snatchwitch. 7:30pm.
Greetings From Queer Mountain
Wednesday 11, Cheer Up Charlies
With a fresh new logo, this monthly queer storytelling series invites y’all to tune in for a special Pride edition of singer-songwriter night. 8pm.
Full Moon Swim
Wednesday 11, Barton Springs Pool
Splash for a spell with Austin’s Queer Coven as they take a dip in Barton Springs. You’ll find the whole witchy crew by looking for the Pride flag – and, in their words, “the gaggle of queer looking witches!” 8pm.
Scene Kings and Queens
Thursday 12, Kick Butt Coffee
CanDeStroy Movement invites one and all to relive the MySpace era with Austin performers from across the dance, burlesque, and drag communities. Tickets range from $10-100, so pick your preferred price before attending. 7:45pm.
Workshop + Social Hour
Thursday 12, Preservation Austin’s McFarland-McBee House
Join American Institute of Architects Austin’s LGBTQIA Alliance and National Organization of Minority Architects of Central Texas (NOMA) in kicking off Pride with a lecture from mental health pro Dr. Marlon Johnson at this camping themed social. 7pm.
This article appears in June 6 • 2025.