Gender Unbound's Trans Day of Visbility Picnic Credit: Alexis Pratchett

I come to you right before Trans Day of Visibility Weekend, which Iโ€™m capitalizing because Iโ€™m a fun guy full of whimsy, with a few bulletin board-esque updates. Take heed of them, pass โ€™em to someone whom they might suit, or ignore them and skip to the massive volumetric event tonnage bearing down on the Qmmunity listings. Whatever you do, do it knowing trans people are very cool and deserve not only basic rights, dignity, and consideration, but also $20 from every fear-monger dead-set on brow-beating transgender children. This $20 will then be, of course, passed around the community as we continually donate to each otherโ€™s gender-affirming surgery funds until universal heat death. Or maybe weโ€™ll buy a big pizza. The choice belongs to us, not anyone else.

Pride monthโ€™s not that far off, Reader, so the vendor calls are rolling in for whatโ€™ll be a massive queer market season. This week, however, the Little Gay Shop gets a jump on not only vendor applications for their Pride Party, June 20-21, but theyโ€™ve also opened applications for their wintertime HoliGAY Market. Interested sellers are advised to visit littlegaymarkets.com and fill out the Google form emailed after purchasing an application.

Austin International Drag Festival posted last Thursday calling for help paying off the 2025 eventโ€™s debt. In the Instagram video, drag artist and AIDF President Princess Treatment stated that due to a loan taken out to pay artists and venue fees, the nonprofit is about $8K in the hole. In addition to paying that off, AIDF would also like to have some funds to start this yearโ€™s fest planning. Their currently running GoFundMe has reached about 4% of their goal amount ($10K), so if youโ€™re able to drop โ€™em coinage, please do so. AIDF is the rare 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to helping drag artists specifically, and with a new board of directors introduced in February, the fest deserves a long and hopefully financially healthy future. 

In sadder news, the queer- and trans-owned Sunshine Vinyl is closing their doors. They released a letter to their community on Friday stating their final day of operations will be April 12. โ€œIf you ever stepped into the shop,โ€ writes owner Luca Kisielius in this parting statement, โ€œyou know it was never just a record store.โ€ Throughout the next few weeks, sales will run on everything from the vinyl to the chairs โ€“ but this doesnโ€™t spell the end of the spotโ€™s spirit. Kisielius says their next venture will be disco house label Sunset Records, โ€œa continuation of everything Sunshine stood for โ€“ supporting DJs, vinyl, and the community we built here in Austin.โ€

OH and also: Queer Film Theory 101 rescheduled from March 19 to this Thursday, March 26. Iโ€™m telling you, Reader, because I will be performing as part of their Best of QFT lineup. Starts at 7:30pm over at Alamo South Lamarโ€™s the Highball venue. Be there or never learn how Joe Dante tricked the Texas military into helping the production of Piranha (1978).


Mochi Mochi: Sanrio Drag Tribute

Thursday 26, the Highball

Whether youโ€™re a Hello Kitty diehard or a Choco Cat devotee, youโ€™ll love the Mochi Mochi crewโ€™s tribute to the cutest mega company around. Sign up for their Sanrio costume contest, and maybe youโ€™ll win a โ€œfabulous prize.โ€ 9:30pm.

A Twink and a Redhead

Thursday 26, 29th Street Ballroom

Short-form video vixens Grant Gibbs and Ashley Gill have made much viral content outta their 15-year friendship. Now theyโ€™ve set their story to song in a musical comedy starting with their first meeting in sixth grade all the way to becomingโ€ฆ wait, โ€œglobal pop starsโ€? Doing pretty good for former InStyle interns, it seems. 8pm.

Anybody but Tony

Thursday 26, Barrettโ€™s Too

DEI Comedy brings you another mind-blowinโ€™ lineup with comics Lisa Smith, Kyler Green, Grace Pinegar, Ethan Martinez, and drag star Miss Steelya Girl. 8pm.

Wor$t Drag $how in America

Friday 27, Cheer Up Charlies

Celebrate the new Slayyter release with drag from Tigris, Karabiner, HoneyBaby, Angel Rawze, Embry Officially, and host Iggy Bank. DJ Ruby Knight takes the decks. 9pm.

Craft Night

Friday 27, Freethought Library

Queer Black Women Alliance throws a night of friendship bracelet-making with the Atheist Community of Austin. Supplies, snacks, and bevs are provided, but feel free to bring your own. 6pm.

TDOV Community Picnic & Art Market

Saturday 28, Grassroots Leadership

A full day filled with musical performances, games, and vendors centering the transgender community from Gender Unbound. Make sure to snag the newest edition of GBโ€™s Pink Pages, a guide to local trans-owned and -friendly businesses โ€“ including yours truly. 1pm.

Trans Clothing Swap

Saturday 28, True Thrift Collective

If youโ€™re trans, looking for a new outfit, and live in Georgetown, youโ€™re in luck. Georgetown Pride runs an affirming clothing swap with new and gently used items for trans and gender-diverse peeps. Bring stuff to swap, drop off stuff ahead of time at either Lark & Owl Booksellers or Silver Moon Curios, or make a small donation to get involved. Noon.

Futch Fetish: Bush Bunnies

Saturday 28, Elysium

Donโ€™t trim, just get into the weeds with your co-hosts Karabiner and BeeBee Blvnt for this tribute to all things bushy. Lineup includes Atlas Mars, the Black Bimbo, Cherry Blitz, Damiana Divine, Impulse Purchase, Mx. Cuntstrood, and Papi Culo. 9:30pm.

Mistress Madness: Burning Love

Saturday 28, Highland Lounge

Mistress Isabelle Brooks packs the three-floor Lounge once more with a fiery lineup including Lydia B. Kollins, Kori King, Norvina DuBois, and Kitty Kontour. 9pm.

Banned Bodies: TDOV

Saturday 28, 13th Floor

The Trans Era and Venus Rising co-host this celebration of transgender bodies boasting live tunes by Banged Out and Twink Death along with drag by the Great Flying Cervix, MK Ultra, Ethel Institution, Mandy Quinn, Hurricane Short King, and Betty Boof. Learn more in this weekโ€™s Calendar featurette. 9pm.

Tiny T4T Party

Saturday 28, Tiny Grocer Hyde Park

The small specialty shop opens its niche product-packed walls to a new all-ages drag brunch. Kino Kino hosts alongside cast members Damiana Divine, Sir Beau Elliot, and Xoy. This weekโ€™s trans-centric edition features special guest T. Androgynous. Noon. 

Drag Me to the Tavern

Saturday 28, Tiny Minotaur Tavern

Bid adieu โ€“ at least for now โ€“ to host Sir TRT as he hunkers down for โ€œCLERIC GRAD SCHOOLโ€ with this bye-bye blowout show. Co-host Sir Beau Elliot takes the reins, with special guests Flex Brojas and Tiny Taurus helping send this healer off. 9:30pm.

Cheer Austin Garage Sale

Saturday 28, Rancho Alto Neighborhood

Find a cute trinket or two at this Cheer Austin yard sale. Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ elders through Rainbow Connections ATX. 8am. 

Drag for All

Saturday 28, OutWellness

The master class continues with another lesson from Jack Rabid on top-tier drag makeup. Tickets run 5-20 bucks, and youโ€™ll need to bring ya own brushes. 

Lady Gaga Birthday Ball 

Saturday 28, Cheer Up Charlies

Itโ€™s Mama Monsterโ€™s birthday, so celebrate with host Aira Juliet and drag by Lavender Thug, Ryan, and Sir Dree. DJs Miho and Xoy keep your paws up. 8pm.

Your Favorite Cuzins

Saturday 28, ColdTowne Theater

In honor of Womenโ€™s History Month, Jose Daโ€™Hype hands over his comedy show to host Lisa Smith for an all-ladies lineup that includes Rochelle McConico, Adrienne Brown, Jemischa Albo, Kandyce August, Halima Abshir, and Niki Coleman. 8:30pm.

Bingo Madness

Sunday 29, LazyDaze

An afternoon of bingo, joints, and prizes awaits at this California-sober sesh hosted by Venus Rising and the Trans Era. Natasha Nova guest stars. 4:20pm.

Pilates + Yoga Fusion

Sunday 29, Lynnyโ€™s Trailer

Join the Pilates Apothecary at this all-levels class that promises not only โ€œthat long, strong, grounded glow-up feelingโ€ but also that youโ€™ll โ€œmeet muscles you didnโ€™t know RSVPโ€™d.โ€ BYOM, or bring your own mat. 9am.

Sapphic Spring Fling

Sunday 29, Highland Lounge

Throw flowers in the air and enjoy the vibes at this show hosted by BeeBee Blvnt and Karabiner. Thereโ€™ll be performances by Traumada, Damiana Divine, and Travis Randy Travis as well as a sapphic resource fair and on-site STI testing. 8pm.

QBWA Early Morning Hike

Sunday 29, Mary Moore Searight Park Trail

Hop right outta bed and onto the trail with Queer Black Women Allianceโ€™s sun-up hike. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen โ€“ it’s gettinโ€™ bright out there! 8am.

DayGayz: Texas Edition 

Sunday 29, Coconut Club

Presented by Lez in the Capital, this party features spins by Jos Tha DJ and DJ Keej, in from San Antonio. Tooosauccy offers eats, and 3PS Hookah offers, well, you can guess. 4pm.

Our Safe Space: TDOV Open Mic

Sunday 29, Aniโ€™s Day & Night

Share your story through poetry, song, dance, drag, or comedy at this all-ages open mic honoring Trans Day of Visibility. Reach out to host Kino Kino via Instagram to sign up. 4pm.

Queertowne

Sunday 29, Fallout Theater

Theyโ€™re back! The queer quad of Laura de la Fuente, Mase Kerwick, Charlie Blaine, and Javier Ungo bring their long-running variety show back to the stage with jokes, music, and audience games. 7:30pm.

Purple Park Comedy Austin

Monday 30, the Creek and the Cave

All the way from the Big Apple comes comics Meka Mo and Jilberto Soto, ready for a liโ€™l Southern hospitality from the Austin comedy scene. Lineup includes Dylan Carlino, Amy Shanker, Pete Angelo, Tone Bell, Everett Bragg, and Holden. 8pm.

Henlo Bullfrogโ€™s FX & Horror Makeup Workshop

Monday 30, Coco Coquette

Learn all the tips and tricks from expert makeup and drag artist Henlo Bullfrog on their teaching tour. Students get to take home a latex prosthetic as well.

Bathroom Bill and What It Means for Your Business

Tuesday 31, Virtual

The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce offers a Zoom panel discussion about how the recent anti-trans Texas bathroom bill will affect local businesses. Panelists include Shelly Skeen (Lambda Legal), Sofia Sepulveda (Equality Texas), and Landon Richie (Transgender Education Network of Texas). Noon. 

TV Book Club: Heated Rivalry

Tuesday 31, Vintage Bookstore & Wine Bar

Join ATX TV Festival and Your Local Book Club ATX for a steamy chat about the recent hockey-centric belle of the LGBTQ lit shelf ball. RSVP to attend. 6:30pm.

The High Club Presents TDOV

Tuesday 31, Oilcanโ€™s

Host Alexander the Great breaks out the pink, blue, and white flag for this special Trans Day of Visibility edition of the THC drink special session. Kick off the fun with trans pride trivia then slide right into a T4T open mic. Special guests include Damiana Divine and King of Drag co-star Henlo Bullfrog. 8pm.

Animation Mixtape

Wednesday 1, Alamo South Lamar

Here’s what I’ve been cleared to say about this “international animation” double-feature programmed by oneMorgan Hyde. One, this screening is the day before her fifth HRT-iversary; two, though I can’t reveal the cartoon film titles, know that they will be “rat-themed”; and three, from Morgan, “I can pretty much guarantee these have never and will never screen in a theater any time soon.” See y’all there! 9:30pm.

Queer Full Moon Circle

Thursday 2, RSVP for location

The Pilates Apothecary’s Ashley Weber leads this Local Queer ATX gathering, where participants will reflect on the previous month before practicing rituals to slough off whatโ€™s no longer needed spiritually. 6:30pm.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austinโ€™s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the communityโ€™s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

James Scott is a writer who has lived in Austin since 2017. He covers queer events, news, and anything pertaining to Austin's LGBTQ community. Catch his work writing film essays for Hyperreal Film Club, performing in Queer Film Theory 101 at Barrel O' Fun, or on his social media platforms: @thejokesboy on Twitter and Bluesky or @ghostofelectricity on Instagram.