Qmmunity: The Queering Time

Shuffle It Up Credit: via bunkhousehotels.com

I’m gonna keep things quick this week: The time to be queer? Is now! Here are several places and spaces encouraging such LGBTQ behavior.

You wanna get gay married while the gettin’ is still good? The Austin chapter of Wedding Industry Professionals Association and Austin Pride have teamed up to offer free pop-up weddings on Aug. 22. In addition to folks wanting vow renewals, engaged couples get a half-hour time slot featuring cosmetic pampering, an officiant, music, flowers, and even an AV component to capture the special day. Fill out the form to choose a time, and remember! For this union to be legal, you gotta get the proper paperwork from the County Clerk’s Office three days prior. 

“NOT A CRISIS LINE” is the subtitle for Queerbomb’s newest project: Switchboards, a 30-day resource where you can get specific queer knowledge by texting a keyword. There’s about 30 queers on the other end of 512/675-2765 ready to inform you on recurring queer gatherings (keyword: “Exists”), how to find help on a creative project (keyword: “Build”), and general recos (keyword: “Ask”). Find more details at queerbombaustin on Instagram.

In with the secondhand – and out with it, too! Kind Clinic asks y’all to open the closet and find clean, gently used items to contribute to an ongoing community clothing swap. From Aug. 17-21, you can browse what others have donated while exchanging your own pieces. Open to the public with free walk-in HIV/STI testing and face masks, this KC CS will donate any leftover items to local nonprofits. Learn more at kindtesting on Instagram. 

Trans River Day Thursday 13, RSVP for location

Splash around with trans folks and allies over in San Marcos. DM organizers (transriverday) for more details. 6pm.

Sapphic Pool Night Thursday 13, Barfly’s

Prepare your cue for this sapphic social, where even though there’s no water to be found, some of y’all may leave wet. 8pm.

Rebels In Rhinestones Friday 14, the Brewtorium

Get into the spirit early with Austin Pride’s drag kickoff show featuring local stars as well as special guest Morphine Love Dion. 7pm.

Return to Wonderland: An Alice in Wonderland Drag Show  Friday 14, Valhalla

Hosted by Phoenix Eterna Celestial and Ooh La La, this tumble down the rabbit hole will find you enjoying fabo drag as well as a costume contest. 10pm.

*BOB*’s Bingo Pride Party Friday 14, Wheatsville South Lamar

World Famous *BOB* and her drag daughter Kitty Von Quim bring you bingo fun for free with prizes galore. Wigs and caftans encouraged. 6:30pm.

Cirque du So Gay Saturday 15, Highland Lounge

Find incredible feats of clownery and queerness with wrestling promotion Uncanny Attractions. There’ll be smackdowns, drag, and circus enjoyment for all. 7pm.

Dyke March Ice Cream Fundraiser Saturday 15, Amy’s Ice Creams South Lamar

Helping out your local Dyke March has never been so sweet, as you mention “Austin Dyke March” at this creamery come Saturday, part of your purchase price will support this year’s march. 

Wild Thangzzz! Burlesque Show Saturday 15, Kick Butt Coffee

Break out the leopard print for this animalistic adventure from Bat City Bombshells, hosted by Nico De Gallo. 8pm.

Lezzzy Pride Market 2026 Saturday 15, Ani’s Day & Night

Shop gay with your Lezzz B. Honest friends at this market and drag show featuring Venus Rising, Kino Kino, Sir Beau Elliot, Phoenix Eterna, and Mars Morningstar. 7pm.

Controlled Chaos Saturday 15, the Butterfly Bar

Host Owen Alimony offers up the stage to the weird & wild for this open mic that accepts everything from drag to music to puppeteering. 11pm.

Everything’s Bigger Cabaret Saturday 15 – Sunday 16, the Jackalope South Shore

Nestled on the Show Pony stage is May Buzzetti’s showcase of local musicians, drag artists, and dancers that’s “a variety show for good people during bad times!” 6pm.

Movies in the Park Pride Edition: Death Becomes Her Saturday 15, Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park

Watch Meryl Streep put a hole in Goldie Hawn while Bruce Willis helplessly watches from the sweaty comfort of the Waterloo lawn. 7pm.

Early Morning Hike Sunday 16, Richard Moya Park

Join Queer Black Women Alliance and friends for a trek through this leafy park. Bring water, comfortable shoes, and a community spirit. 8am.

Queer MMA: Kickboxing Combos Sunday 16, Black Widow MMA

Learn from Coach Lu how to kickbox correctly at this weekly self-defense meet-up. 11am.

Yeehawties: Night Swim Sunday 16, Austin Motel

The stars at night are big and bright, here in the heart of gay Texas with spins by Ed West and DJ John Stamps soundtracking your splashes. Owie and Mars host. 6pm.

Blue Bark Boat Bash Sunday 16, Lake Travis

Join your fellow queer furries “and anyone who identifies as a party animal” for ATX Blue Bark’s second boat party. RSVP is required, so reach out for more details. 

Pop-Up Cultural Center and Community Social Monday 17, Austin City Hall

The City of Austin LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Commission amps up their usual Monday meeting with a preview pop-up of an Austin queer cultural center. Entertainment includes drag with Brigitte Bandit, performances by House of Lepore, spins by DJ Scam Likely, and more. 5pm.

Pride Social  Monday 17, Sagebrush

Tweak your two-step, line up your line dance, and get down with your quntry community at this social featuring live music by Libby & the Loveless and Randeen. Plus, Lawrie Bird hosts and Erica Nix teaches s’queer dance. 7pm.

Summer Eclipse Soul Session Tuesday 18, allgo

Led by Alia Walston and Lisa Kori, you’ll learn to connect with spirit guides through astrology, tarot, and the Akashic Records. 7pm.

Queer Trivia Tuesday 18, Lefty’s Day & Night

New venue, same queer trivia: The Little Gay Shop and host Aira Juliet travel to ancient Greece for this week’s mythological edition. Plus, Bacardi Ocho rum samples and a Q Austin pop-up. 7pm.

Queer-aoke Tuesday 18, Firehouse Lounge

Damiana Divine hosts this night of great songs and good vibes with an additional queer-anthem bingo that could win you fabo prizes. 9pm.

Weenies and Tinis Pride Edition Wednesday 19, Halcyon 

Kick off Austin Pride Month with a dog and a drink on Fourth. 4pm.

Witchy Wednesdays Wednesday 19, Zilker Park

Socialize with fellow spellcasters at this queer meet-up. 6pm.

BoyzDSM Wednesday 19, Elyisum

The Boyz of Austin dress in leather and chains for a kinky drag showcase. 10:30pm. 

Leztopia Happy Hour & Social  Thursday 20, Traphouse ATX

Hang out and enjoy drinks & food with the Leztopia crew while also picking up your wristband that gets you into all three of their Pride weekend parties. 7pm.

Shuffle It Up Thursday 20, Austin Motel

Local Queer and Austin Motel partner for this queer-centric mixer featuring special cocktails, card-based social games, and probably shuffleboard antics. 7pm.

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