Qmmunity: No FOMO, Only HOMO

This weekend I dropped in for ATX Trans Pride – half for the spirit of community and half to check the prices on Chups’ vending machine Labubus. (The little guys are $60, if you’re interested.) While there, I caught up with a couple friends, although not as in depth as I would’ve liked, and the refrain became, “I’m sure I’ll see you again this month,” referring to the plentiful Pride parties going on this June.

I mention all this to assuage the fears of any queers reading who haven’t mustered the courage to attend Pride events that participation is possible. As a born homebody, actually getting out to queer events has taken real effort – so I’ll share a few tips to take your June to the gay moon. One, have an exit time in mind before you go to make hanging out more manageable. You can go for a self-selected out – great for people with willpower, aka not me – or find a sort of arbitrary limit via the parking meter, or a bus departure time. I also recommend for beginner party people choosing events with a specific & engaging activity. Can’t mope by yourself in the corner when there’s a drag show to cheer on or karaoke to sing. Once you gain confidence at those events, you’ll be on your way to advanced entertainment, aka picnics and socials. Last, but not least, I advise that you just do it even if you’re scared. God, how else do we get anything done around here?

Big Bad Karaoke

Thursday 12, the Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria

Future Front founder Jane Claire brings back her summertime singing event with Alexis Hunter. This one’s on Claire’s b-day, so she requests “90s summer break and 2000s jersey shore attire.” 6pm.

Next Level: Gaymer Night

Thursday 12, Oilcan’s

Fragging noobs on Fortnite all by yourself there, handsome? Drop on by Fourth Street, where host Tangelo and rotating co-hosts Iggy Bank and Embry Officially run Mario Kart and Smash all night. 9pm.

BÁRBARA

Friday 13, Kingdom

The Electric Pearl reintroduces Austin to their wild child BÁRBARA, a party premised on pulsing beats. Maya Margarita headlines, and Louisianna Purchase and her daughter Sinful host. 10pm.

Subculture Swap Pride Party

Friday 13, Double Trouble

Come for all the local vendors hawking their subculture ephemera; stay for the screening of But I’m A Cheerleader. 7pm.

MortiPRIDE

Friday 13, the Highball

Get ready for a totally LGBT edition of this monthly mortification ritual where grownups share their embarrassing teen artifacts with strangers. 7pm.

Daddies & Zaddies

Saturday 14, Highland Lounge

Make Father’s Day easier to “bear” with this party featuring a pit sniffin’ booth, go-go dancers, and a body hair contest promising a $150 prize. 9:30pm.

The Rainbow Connection with Kiki and CoCo

Saturday 14, BookWoman

Youtubers KiKi and CoCo Niji introduce their new childrens’ book at Austin’s feminist bookshop. 10:30am.

Woke Cowboy

Saturday 14, Coldtowne Theatre

Galloping in for their Pride month show, this diverse stand-up showcase brings all your fave comics front and center. 8pm.

Match My “Freak Show”

Friday 13, Elysium

Shock Therapy presents this show featuring performances that tap into the curious, the odd, and the totally freaky. Remember your cash for the $10 cover, and oh yeah: This one’s 18+, so all y’all college kids can get freaked too! 10pm.

Pride on the Trail

Saturday 14, Sand Beach Park

Join Austin Front Runners for a “community-powered” trail run through a lovely local Austin trail. Post-run party kicks in at 8pm at Oilcan’s. 9am.

Queer Summer School: History of Queer Struggle in the U.S.

Saturday 14, the Austin Liberation Center

Join the Austin chapter of the Party for Socialism & Liberation as they host queer community education events throughout June. This week’s focus is on U.S.-specific queer struggles, continuing off of last weekend’s Decolonizing Queerness lecture. 12pm.

Queer Resource Fair

Saturday 14, San Marcos Public Library

Lavender Space Inclusive Therapy presents an all-ages attraction featuring resources on sexual health, legal and mutual aid, harm reduction, and much, much more. 11am.

Strike a Pose

Saturday 14, St. Elmo South

Time-travel to the Eighties at this retro drag prom, featuring Louisianna Purchase as well as Noodles, Tatiana Cholula, Mandy Quinn, and DJ Ruby Knight. The Little Gay Shop also pops up. 8pm.

Flag Day

Saturday 14, Pins & Wheels at Playland

Austin Round Up invites all for a night of fellowship and friends, where skaters can fly their rainbow flags high. 7pm.

Queer Country Brunch

Saturday 14, Lynny’s

Join DJ Boi Orbison and Lynny’s ATX for a brunch bop where the country vinyl spins are just as tasty as the biscuits & coffee served pipin’ hot – or iced, cuz this is still a queer brunch. 10am.

Lezzz B. Honest: Father’s Day Special

Sunday 15, Ani’s Day and Night

Salute your father figures at this drag king-centric show, hosted by Alexander the Great with special guests Sir Beau Elliot and Bobby Pudrido. 1pm.

Bear Maximum

Sunday 15, Coconut Club

A collab concentration of body-shaking spins from DJs CBass and Sports Model, this un-bear-lievable party goes all night with no cover. 4pm.

Campfire Queer Storytime: Super Gay Poems

Sunday 15, the Vortex

Hosted by Rainbow Connections ATX, this gathering of LGBTQ folks of all ages features a special collab with BookWoman, where selections from Super Gay Poems: LGBTQIA+ Poems After Stonewall will be read. 6pm.

La Bruce

Sunday 15, Austin Motel

RSVP via atxtranspride dot com for this swim-sational celebration of local trans talents, with DJs Ed West, Lidia Beats, and Lavender Thug spinning along with performances by B. Nassty, Bobby Pudrido, and the Testo Junkies. 2pm.

25 Years of Drag

Sunday 15, Rain on 4th

Two legends celebrate a quarter-century of drag at this tribute to Nadine Hughes and Rachel Mykels, hosted by Cupcake and Sierra Mykels. 6pm.

Queer Maker Mini Market

Sunday 15, Wheatsville Co-op South Lamar

Shop local artisans around the Wheatsville parking lot – and then maybe snag some popcorn tofu, as a treat. Can’t make it this Sunday? Two more markets pop up on June 22 & 29. 11am.

Film for Thought: Pride (2014)

Tuesday 17, Windsor Park Branch Library

With unions in the news as much as anti-LGBTQ sentiment, now’s the perfect time to revisit this worker’s rights reel about gay activists in the UK locking arms with the National Union of Mineworkers during their 1984 summer strike. 5:30pm.

Remy’s Fourth Tranniversary

Tuesday 17, Tiny Minotaur

Hear ye, hear ye: On this day did Remedy declare their allegiance to the T in LGBT, so let’s celebrate alongside gender-diverse drag troupe the Boyz of Austin. Also: karaoke. Members get in for $5, and nonmembers must cough up $15. 8pm.

Queer Trivia

Tuesday 17, Cheer Up Charlies

Test your queer intelligence via this trivia night hosted by the one and only Aira Juliet along with the Little Gay Shop, who’ll also have a pop-up serving all yer Pride needs. 7:30pm.

The Pop Out

Wednesday 18, Cheer Up Charlies

As a pre-Juneteenth pump-up, Pride in Black ATX presents a celebration of Black queer art hosted by “Oprah of the South” Jeaux. There’ll be local performers, free food, and good vibes. 7pm.

Zine Night

Wednesday 18, Central Library

Did you know our local library has a monthly zine night? This night’s special, as their Pride theme is Beauty in Queerness. 5:30pm.

North Loop Pride Party

Wednesday 18, Double Trouble

From Dub Trub’s “Queen of the Hill” Owie comes a Pride party featuring food, tunes, and drag by Marsh and Arinna Dior Davenport. 7pm.

Queer Trivia

Wednesday 18, Vigilante Bar

Heads up to anyone whose buggin’ because you’re gonna miss QT on Tuesday: Aira Juliet and the Little Gay Shop have a second (and really nerdy) trivia night queued up in North Austin off Airport. 7pm.

DAC Nights Pride: Camp Camp

Wednesday 18, Dougherty Arts Center

Pride comes to DAC via this campy crafting night, where you’ll bead and bedazzle a camp shirt as well as design a collage self-portrait. Check the DAC’s page on austintexas dot gov for more Pride 2025 events planned throughout June. 7pm.

Soul Trib Sapphic Mini Ball

Thursday 19, Cheer Up Charlies

Celebrate Juneteenth with ATX’s newest Black sapphic sweethearts, aka TribRelations’ JD Von Dutch and Bimbo 007. Marzetta Speaks emcees, plus there’ll be vendors, DJs, go-go dancers, and cash prizes for certain categories. Check their Insta before you walk to make sure you know da rules. 9pm.

SXSW Pride

Thursday 19, Swan Dive

Rock on down to Red River for out-of-season South By showcase featuring a performance by the House of Lepore as well as music from Thelonious Love, B.Spoke, and Vonne. Tix benefit Trans Texas, aka TENT. 7pm.

Your Favorite Cuzins

Thursday 19, ColdTowne Theater

One night only, the extended family takes over ColdTowne. Featuring Rochelle McConico, Carlton Wilcoxson, Gabe Davis, Ellis Aych, soon-to-be former Austinite Ivy Le, and host Jose Da’Hyper along with musical performances. 8pm.

Queer & Trans History

Thursday 19, Monkeywrench Books

In a middle finger to the Texas Lege’s recent wrecking of queer history in schools, Monkeywrench hosts Ph.D. candidate Holly Genovese as she instructs on the collective LGBTQ lineage. Register via email at Holly.genovese@gmail.com. 6pm.