When I was in college and pursuing my Women & Gender Studies minor (which I found out a week before graduating I was one credit away from securing), I got the chance to see trans theorist Susan Stryker speak. It was there I first heard the concept of being transgender as not being itself revolutionary. As a twentysomething, this idea shocked me into frustration: How can my being trans not automatically make me radical – a subversive enfant terrible? Wasn’t the very fact of me challenging gender assumptions by wearing ill-fitting shirts from the Target men’s section enough? I stewed on the whole thing for months, years even, with the confidence of a young dumbass that the illustrious writer of Transgender History was too narrow-minded.
I’m here now a week-ish into being 32 to say she was right: Being trans itself is not a subversive act. In many ways, I do not consider myself anywhere near a “revolutionary,” much less an enfant terrible. No, no, I’m more a bon vivant – an enjoyer of comfortable luxuries like eating fancy cheeses and drinking expensive bottled cold brew coffee. These facts keep me far from any big revolutionary actions, and I’m pretty sure they keep a lot of people in the firm “regular degular” category when it comes to ideologies. At the same time, I think being trans has also always been really tough due to The Circumstances – which have changed over the years but remained pretty tipped out of our favor. Making life even harder by putting yourself out there big time for the cause is a tough sell.
So where does that leave us? There are people willing to live the subversive life – folks who’ll run the meetings, hold the megaphone, make the speeches even if it means lots of work and little reward – and they’re important to the greater cause. But so are the regular degular group, I think, because revolutionary acts aren’t just the big gestures. There’s power in taking small actions toward a better, more equitable future: donating to people’s gender-affirming surgery funds, giving to free fridges and food pantries, offering your volunteer hours to local LGBTQ nonprofits, or even providing space for other queer people in worse-off situations to just vent. Not everyone’s a revolutionary, but everyone can be a part of the revolution – one where we all get a better future, together.
AIA Austin LGBTQIA+ Alliance End of the Year Party
Thursday 20, Neon Grotto
Celebrate a year in the books with the queerest architects association in Austin – as far as I know. There’ll be big fun, like drag from Ritzy Bitz and Tiffany Epiphany, a live DJ, queer history trivia, and a year-in-review presentation! 5:30pm.
Queer Film Theory 101 Presents Pop Star Acting
Thursday 20, the Highball
Four queer film “professors” show clips and spill the cinematic tea on their favorite features where pop music divas took a turn at acting on the big screen. 7:30pm.
Mochi Mochi Presents a Taste of Anime
Thursday 20, the Highball
Ready the ramen, the thick-cut bacon, and those delicious jelly donuts because the drag stars of Mochi Mochi are tributing all your favorite anime meals. 9pm.
Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
Thursday 20, Lark and Owl Booksellers
Peace of Christ Church and Hope United Georgetown lead this TDOR service “honoring the transgender lives lost to acts of violence this year.” On hand to help hold space and reflect will be Georgetown Pride and PFLAG Georgetown. 7pm.
Trans Day of Remembrance
Thursday 20, Lampkin Pavilion
Come together with Local Queer ATX to honor those in the trans community we’ve lost to violence at this community vigil with an altar, a Flower Walk, a reading of names, trans speakers, and a community song. 7pm.
Country Fried Dance Lesson
Thursday 20, Ruiz Branch Library
Learn a new line dance or two with Nico at this all-experience-levels-welcome workshop. 6:45pm.
Drag Me to Dinner
Friday 21, Punch Bowl Social
Louisianna Purchase hosts this dinner party of epic proportions where there’ll be entertainment, glamour, special guests, and much more. 10pm.
Spanksgiving: Beyond Gravydome
Friday 21 – Saturday 22, Kick Butt Coffee & Sky Candy
The feast begins early with Turducken Producken’s massive two-day Thanksgiving burlesque show that features different acts at each performance.
Stardust Burlesque Party
Friday 21, High Noon
What musical Western delights await at this saloon-set burlesque show? Only performers Serese Brown, Jolie Goodnight, and Hibiscus Bloom know, so you better come see ‘em on stage to find out! 10pm.
Bears Who Care Food Drive
Saturday 22, the Iron Bear
Now’s no time to go into hibernation because your favorite spot for ursine pals on Sixth are throwing “a party with purpose” where they’re collecting canned and nonperishable goods for Vivent Health’s food pantry. 9pm.
TGQ Social North
Saturday 22, SLAB BBQ & Beer
Find other gender-diverse folks at this social event, where first-timers can come early for an informal meet-and-greet and everyone can enjoy good company. 6pm.
The Best Drag Show Ever
Saturday 22, Oilcan’s
Has there ever been a drag show so best? Maybe, but they don’t have the host with the most Ritzy Bitz, who presents you a night of dazzling queens, music by DJ Eriq Stylez, and much more. 9pm.
Sapphic Writer’s Circle
Saturday 22, Birdhouse Books and Gifts
Grab your pens, laptops, or quills & ink and join in with this queer creative community for sapphic fiction writers. 4pm.
Elements of Diamond
Saturday 22, the State Theatre
Diamond Dior Davenport premieres her one-woman show themed around the four elements, with a special track release from Diamond off her upcoming EP. 8pm.
Coco Cxnts
Saturday 22, Coconut Club
Catch the iconic p1nkstar’s drag debut on the Coco rooftop alongside the Cxnts cast of Arinna Heys, Brigitte Bandit, Bohemia, and Salem Purchase. Visiting from NYC, Horrorchata sets up behind the decks. 1pm.
Crowned w/ Kelly Mantle
Saturday 22, Busy Signal
Join host Malibu Imported alongside Yvonna F. Mei, Lady Grackle, Cookie Rey Dlux, and the Queen Diva in welcoming the iconic Kelly Mantle for Crowned’s one-year anniversary show. 1pm.
Queer Tarot Meetup
Saturday 22, Birdhouse Books and Gifts
Discuss, discern, and learn the cards at this all-experience-levels-welcome social. Bring your own deck from home or shop Birdhouse for a new set to suit your many selves. 2pm.
Queer Poppies Walking Club
Sunday 23, Overlook Park (Georgetown)
Take a walk with fellow queer Georgetownians at this LGBTQ social. This time around they’ll be taking a trail over a dam to enjoy the Lake Overlook views. Post-walk coffee at Lamppost for all interested. 9:45am.
Lesbian Wedding
Sunday 23, Sahara Lounge
Austin’s returning princess p1nkstar celebrates her birthday at Austin’s favorite matrimonial sapphic shindig. Expect DJ sets by Gavilán Rayna Russom, Horrorchata (NYC), Angel Doll, and muralist Xaxier Schipani; performances by Meddah, Andie Flores, Lavender Thug, Alexis Lepore, and the birthday girl herself; community resources; and the traditional LW queso & cake. 3pm.
Queer Magic the Gathering Draft
Sunday 23, Dragon’s Lair
For all those queer and card-obsessed – or just getting interested – here’s a gathering of local LGBTQ Magic enjoyers. These in particular are beginner-friendly, so there’s no pressure to score big. Masks required and provided. 5:30pm.
The Knockout Tour: Violet vs. Gottmik
Monday 24, Paramount Theatre
Drag Race icons Violet Chachki and Gottmik go head-to-head for their first-ever headlining tour. Opening for their boxing-ring drag bout are local faves Ritzy Bitz, Celia Light, and King of Drag’s Alexander the Great. 8pm.
Book Talk: Read This When Things Fall Apart
Monday 24, BookWoman
Organizers Red Schulte and Jenny Espino sit down with Kelly Hayes, fellow organizer and editor of new anthology Read This When Things Fall Apart: Letters for Activists, to discuss the reality of justice work. 7pm.
Filth!
Monday 24, Hyperreal Film Club
The queer cinema history series returns to show you even more erotica past and present, which’ll hopefully inspire y’all to create the weird and queer’d erotic cinema of the future. 7:15pm.
Bronco 2
Monday 24, Sagebrush
Advanced line-dancers to the front at this in-depth lesson from Country Fried Dance. DJ Ed West spins, and there might even be a lesson drop for “Fake ID.” 7pm.
Itz Giving Tuezgayz
Tuesday 25, Swan Dive & Barbarella
Feed your dancing feet at this pre-Thanksgiving get-down featuring VJ Glitoris serving spins ’til you’re full up. For dessert, enjoy Drag Dive and Queeraoke over at Swan Dive. 10pm.
Divina: Marina y los Diamantes
Wednesday 26, Oilcan’s
Host Tatiana Cholula and the Divina cast of Venus Rising, Bohemia, Banshee Rose, Lilith Azazel, Roxanne, Damiana Divine, and Dee Monica Getsum celebrate the “Bubblegum B*tch” herself at this very Latine Marina tribute. 10pm.
Friendsgiving
Thursday 27, the Austin Eagle
Need a place to celebrate Thanksgiving among friends? The Eagle, Sir Rat Leather, Austin Kink Weekend, and Savrick Schumann Johnson McGarr Kaminski & Shirley sponsor this free and hearty feast made by Topaz and Chef Ramsey. DJ Cosmique and Daddy D spin. Only 50-70 plates available, so swing by the Eagle for a ticket soon – and maybe stick around a bit for a good time. 3pm.
In the Calendar
I Scream Social
Friday 21, Alienated Majesty Books
Celebrate Friendsgiving at Host Publications’ monthly feminist reading series and ice cream party, hosted by editors Annar Verold and Claire Bowman. Offering poetry readings this time around are Talia Pinzari, a public relations director and poet from New England living in Austin, and Cindy Huyser, host of BookWoman’s Second Thursday Poetry Series. If you’re looking to get rid of extra cans of food – or funds – ATX Free Fridge will collect them for people without food access. Or, if you have some gratitude to express in poetic form, there will be an open mic for the taking – reserved primarily for writers in historically marginalized communities. But the free ice cream scoops? That’s for everyone. – Lina Fisher
Austin Leather Weekend
Friday 21 – Sunday 23, the Austin Eagle & the Loading Dock
Vests, chaps, or harnesses: Whatever leather you’re wearing, this weekend’s all about celebrating in kinky camaraderie. Smoke a cigar or two at Friday’s opening meet & greet, or shop the latest in gear at Saturday’s market. Bootblacks roam eyeing leather to shine, bears offer their backs for waxing, and this year’s Mr. & Ms. Austin Eagle will be crowned. All this and Sir Rat’s big ol’ Red District Party await you and your leather-clad comrades. – James Scott
The Front Market
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23, Moody Amphitheater
Overwhelmed by the thought of Christmas shopping? Trying to stop giving Jeff Bezos your money? Skip Amazon and support small, local businesses at women- and queer-spotlighting arts nonprofit Future Front Texas’ annual Front Market. Over 150 independent artisans and designers pop up across two days, selling wares ranging from ceramics and jewelry to art prints, clothing, and baked goods, and DJ sets, bites by local chefs, and creative workshops lend a community-oriented, interactive flair to the event that makes it about more than just spending money. The weather should hopefully, finally, have cooled down for good by then, too. – Carys Anderson
Texas Rollergirls Fall Draft Party
Saturday 22, King Bee
It’s no coincidence that Drew Barrymore’s Roller Derby film Whip It is based in Texas; Austin kick-started the modern revival of the skating sport, and aspiring Derby-ists come from all over for the chance to play on one of our renowned teams. The Texas Rollergirls draft skaters this weekend for each of their four teams: the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, the Hotrod Honeys, the Hell Marys, and the Hustlers. Donations are encouraged to their Coats for Kids drive, but otherwise, don your team colors. The chance to lace up with the best means the world, so energy will be high. – Flora Belle Farr
Branded to Kill
Monday 24 – Tuesday 25, Alamo Village
Did you know that to queer something doesn’t just mean to make it kiss a person of the same gender? In fact, if you’ll allow me to put on my undergraduate-degree-haver hat, queering means going beyond the norm – you know, getting weird with it. So by that definition, director Seijun Suzuki’s film about a contract killer who falls in love with a hot but totally crazy woman while trying to avoid the price on his head fits the queer’d bill. Filled with boiling-rice smell fetishes and wild gun physics, this film got its director fired from its production company because, as screener Queer Film Theory 101 says, he couldn’t stop “making movies that make no sense and no money.” Honestly, making no sense or money sounds like a regular gay evening to me. – James Scott
This article appears in November 21 • 2025.