Biznasty: A Preamble

When posed with the quandry of what sort of recurring column to create, I decided I would focus on local GLBTQIA Austinites that enrich our community directly – through whose tireless effort, our rainbow world is made brighter.

My first subject is a familiar one to Gay Place readers: The Glitoris. Her Messgesty and I met at The Chain Drive to have a chat.

You may know Glitoris from our previous coverage of her weekly TuezGayz, which we believe contributed to host bar Barbarella's "Best of Austin" receiving awards for Best New Club and Best Place To Dance. In addition, Austin360 named Tuezgayz the Best Dance Party.

In a matter of months, Glitoris has turned Tuesday night into the best non-weekend weekend event. Girl does more to hurt Wednesday morning productivity than Snood and Minesweeper combined.

At the time she and I spoke, the Glitoris was in the midst of tumultuous decision. Having kept down a day job working long and hard – they way she likes it – for a non-profit while keeping night hours that would make the Congress Bridge bats pass out, she slowly continued her transformation of midweek entertainment.

Then, of course, came the call from The Church.

Now, the Glitoris acts as Mother Superior every Wednesday night at Oilcan Harry's, taking her Red River act one step and a few blocks further by placing it in the heart of our rather strict Fourth Street gay-borhood.

The effect is being felt. Members of the queer community that never identified strongly with the affluence and judgment perceived to be a defining characteristic of the Fourth area have come out of their campus and South Austin and East Side haunts to cross Congress.

And queers that didn't leave the Babylon-light atmospheres provided by Rain, Oilcan's, and Kiss & Fly, now have a weekly opportunity to see that, although the communion the Glitoris offers is dirty, it's also a hell of a lot of fun.

With all the heightened tensions QueerBomb and Pride brought to light, the Glitoris creates the chance at a salient (albeit liquor-soaked) meeting ground.

For that, she should be applauded. And given a damn weeknight already. We can only have so many red-eyed weekdays. Can I get an Amen?