So, you survived Austin Pride weekend – and that fabo gay restroom cover feature by yours truly – to see another week of queer what-nots and where-tos. However, since we’ve all been pretty busy, maybe now’s a good time to check in on local LGBTQ biz.
In case you haven’t heard, Cheer Up Charlies reached its fundraising goal and will stay open – a boon to the themed drag show/open deck DJ communities. Thee Gay Agenda has put out a volunteer call for their Oct. 3-4 show, Thee Cuntry Faire, with “super flexible” shifts, as TGA writes. Local org Black Trans Leadership Austin opened up submissions for their creative leadership grant this weekend, so if you’re an indie artist, performer, or event organizer in need of $1,500, apply by Sept. 20 via blacktransleadershipaustin.org.
As of Friday – and as of my writing this column on Monday, Aug. 25 – the Texas House has yet to pass Senate Bill 8, aka the bathroom bill. Seems like whenever they’re choosing numbers for incredibly anti-LGBTQ legislation, eight gets the short stick. Remember California’s Proposition 8? Which came out in 2008? Multiples of four have it rough. According to reporting from Ayden Runnels at The Texas Tribune, big tempers flared during the brief public testimony period – mostly on the side of aggrieved conservatives upset they might have to, I don’t know, consider another person’s feelings beyond their own. How can a person who threatens to physically harm a trans woman using the restroom, as Mr. Jack Finger of San Antonio Family Association did, then be asking for decency in society. Like, you first, dude! Anyway, any bills must be passed by Sept. 13 to get on Abbott’s desk, so until then continue to fight for and support your trans friends, family, and even foes. Everyone deserves to use the restroom in peace.
Splash Days
Thursday 28 – Sunday 31, multiple locations
Didn’t get enough svelte sexy men’s chests last weekend? Soak ’em all in over the Labor Day weekend at any one of the Splash Days official events taking place on Fourth Street, at the Austin Eagle, and beyond. Check out splashdays.com to find what party suits ya.
Rhinestones & Leather: Pride Month Closing Party
Thursday 28, Cheer Up Charlies
Glaze Zine sends the summer rainbow season off with emcee Bobby Pudrido leading a showcase of drag by Yvonna F Mei and Alexander the Great, and live music by Eddie Angel. Plus, a vendor market, photobooth, and an all-night DJ set by Immediate Rush. 7:30pm.
Dive After Dark
Thursday 28, Swan Dive
This 21-and-older show features pole performances that go through the looking glass to find a wonderland of aerial artistry. 9pm.
Derek Kopswa
Thursday 28, Kick Butt Coffee
Kopswa keeps up his 10-year comedy bona fides with a headlining gig at Kick Butt, supported by fellow funny folks Roxy Castillo, Alexa Irizarry, and host Patrick Sirois. 7pm.
BookWoman BookGroup Discussion: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Thursday 28, BookWoman
Dig into this fantastical novel by Heather Fawcett, which follows a professor in the early 1900s as she studies faeries in a small village that’s filled with gruffs and gorgeous men. This meeting’s also virtual, so snag the Zoom link if you’re unable to attend
in-person. 7pm.
Trans Texas Takeover
Thursday 28, Capitol Gallery
Join Transgender Education Network of Texas and show up for the next scheduled vote on SB 8. Can’t make the party? Call your legislators to let them know how you feel and use the phone script at billtracker.transtexas.org. 1pm.
A Celebration of Queer Voices
Friday 29, Northwest Hills United Methodist Church
Help raise funds for the Unite the Fight Gala and enjoy a performance by baritone Patrick Berry and drag star Aria Rey. 8pm.
Queer Vinyl Collective
Friday 29, Marlow Bar
QVC sets up at Marlow for an all-Friday all-vinyl lineup featuring DJs Dana Scully, Full Hendy, Beaujolais, and Veneer. 9pm.
2000’s Night
Friday 29, the Glassmith
The Airport location of this Austin glass studio goes Y2Krazy as Slaylem Cholula Cuntress hosts this drag show/dance party with music by DJ Deadlaos and a free bong and dab bar. Plus: free glowsticks, drinks, and entry! 6pm.
Horse Meat Disco ATX
Friday 29, Kingdom
Rolling in all the way from ATL, Queen Butch brings this body-shaking bash to ATX with performances by Amarji King, the Electric Pearl, p1nkstar, and many more. 9pm.
Queer Quails Book Club
Friday 29, Lamppost Coffee Georgetown
LGBTQ readers just outside Austin, you’re invited to discuss your latest literary accomplishment that falls under the Queer Quails August theme “Memoirs & Personal Truths.” 7pm.
Parque y Poesías
Friday 29, Mueller Park
Latine-centric social club Somos Sapphics holds a relaxing picnic featuring community as well as an open mic where attendees can bring their latest poem, journal entry, or otherwise creative work. 6:30pm.
My Chemical Romance Drag Show
Friday 29, Cheer Up Charlies
Brigitte Bandit invites all those still marching in the Black Parade to this tribute to MCR’s third album. Joining in on the emo fun will be Tangelo, Jack the Stripper, Atlas Mars, Solovino, Calor, and DJ Turito. 9pm.
Drag Me to the Tavern
Saturday 30, the Tiny Minotaur
Live in a fantasy world of drag for a night with the drag kings and queens of Tiny Minotaur. Featuring Sir Beauregard Elliot Esquire, Sir TRT, Harlot, Kitty McSparkles, and Shaving Ryan’s Privates. 7pm.
Cubcake: Splash Edition
Saturday 30, the Iron Bear
Slip into a little unofficial Splash Days fun at this Labor Day weekend party at the Bear, featuring “the sweetest beats and furriest treats.” 9pm.
Pigs in Wigs
Saturday 30, Central Texas Pig Rescue
Drag queen Xtra and Round Rock Pride invite y’all to volunteer with them, and help out our local porcine nonprofit. 9am.
Paul’s Super Gay Gameshow
Saturday 30, Double Trouble
Challenge your queer knowledge base at this game night featuring bingo, Jeopardy, prizes, and more. Everyone’s welcome, including straight people, so long as they’re in it to win it. 7pm.
Pour Choices
Friday 29, Drinks Backyard
Drag yourself over to make some “pour” decisions at this drag show featuring an all-trans femme cast: Simone Riviera, Kelly Kline, Devonna St. James, Arianna Venti, and host Maxine LeQueene. 8pm.
Paris Is Burning
Saturday 30, Austin Liberation Center
Austin’s chapter of the Party for Socialism & Liberation screens the seminal queer documentary on ballroom with a post-film discussion on how the film’s major figures “navigated the struggles of HIV/AIDS, racism, poverty, homophobia, and transphobia to survive, dance, and thrive in their own way.” 6:30pm.
Scissor Soakher
Saturday 30, Cheer Up Charlies
Get absolutely soaked with Local Queer ATX at “the lesbian rager of the season.” There’ll be a commercial-sized slip n’ slide, flash tattoos, softball dunk tank, water fight, and much more running all ding-dang day. 4pm.
Wayward Creatures
Book LaunchSaturday 30, Alienated Majesty Books
Host Publications celebrates the launch of author heidi andrea restrepo rhodes’ poetry collection with readings by rhodes as well as fellow poets Cloud Delfina Cardona and ignacio carvajal; a Q&A; giveaways; and “poetic ecstasy.” 6:45pm.
Eagle Loteria
Sunday 31, the Austin Eagle
Sister de Lulu and Solangel Vergara consult the cards for this loteria night benefiting the San Marcos Queer Council. Bundle buy three cards for $12, or snag ’em single-style for $5. Bonus round cards run $10 each. 1pm.
Lezzz B. Honest: Undead Divas
Sunday 31, Ani’s Day & Night
Munchwith these morbid babes as Venus Rising, Jenna Talia, and Munster Mash serve corpse chic among the food trucks and drinks of Ani’s. 7pm.
Yeehawties
Sunday 31, Austin Motel
Take a dip or two at the Labor Gay edition of Neon Rainbows honky-tonk pool party, featuring spins by DJ Boi Orbison, drag from Lawrie Bird and Harlot, and the sultry heifer Lady Bull Johnson. 2pm.
Hot Load & the Glam Cocks
Sunday 31, the Vortex
Fresh from their debut at the Many Directions show, this rockin’ and rollin’ drag band ends their totally real world tour by sharing the stage with other drag music acts like Fat Punk, Purple Magic, the Cryptids, Pierce the Clit, the Trible Makers, and Maxim. 9pm.
Where the Girls Are
Sunday 31, 1972 Pub
Catch a vibe or two with host Alison Tucker, as she invites singer-songwriter Claudia Gibson as her special guest for this live music show. 6pm.
Caftans & Cocktails for a Cause
Sunday 31, the Austin Eagle
Top Drawer Thrift and the Eagle unite for a fundraiser with a caftan, muumuu, and housecoat dress code. Featuring a Three’s Company drag show, costume contest, a pop-up shop from Top Drawer, and much more. 4pm.
In My Head
Sunday 31, Hyperreal Film Club
Dani, aka Universal Madnes, hosts a free showcase of queer Latinx film and media at microcinema Hyperreal. There’ll be multi-genre-spanning short films, music videos, recorded performance art, and more. 7:30pm.
Monday Night Jammie Jam: Joker’s Wild
Monday 1, Kick Butt Coffee
This month’s cozy show is a real grab bag of acts from classic burly-q to nerdlesque. 7:45pm.
Teen LGBTQ+ Craft Space
Wednesday 3, Central Library
Make and take home Pride-themed crafts with other teens at this safe community space. 6pm.
FLWRPOT Rituals
Thursday 4, Cheer Up Charlies
Learn herbal rolling skillz ($20) or just enjoy the vendor market, music, and good energy (free) of this workshop hosted by FLWRPOT. 6pm.
The Jigglewatts Present: Top 40 Tease
Thursday 4, 29th Street Ballroom
Jiggling to the top of the pop charts, this burlesque revue troupe breaks out their tassels and glitter for a celebration of radio royalty – with special guest Miss AuroraBoobRealis alongside your Texas faves. 7pm.
This article appears in August 29 • 2025.
