Still waiting for the golden ticket to ACL? Do yourself a favor and consider the plethora of free, spin-off musical offerings, including this "independent alternative" showcase tonight at Cheer Up Charlies featuring some of Austin's finest up-and-coming acts Follow That Bird, Rickey Jean Francois, Kay Leotard, Boy Friend, Agent Ribbons, The Great Aware, AND a "special guest" performance inside at midnight. more ›

The Associated Press reports that a pair of bills currently pending definitive placement on the Texas legislative calendar could strip certain protections from Texas transgender families. Right now, Texans can use a wide variety of documents to apply for a marriage license, including any of the following: an insurance policy, a license to carry a concealed handgun, even a Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender identification card. But Senate Bill 723, by Senator Tommy Williams, and House Bill 3098, by Representative Lois Kolkhorst, would remove language currently in Texas Family Code that allows marriage license applicants to use "an original or certified copy of a court order relating to the applicant's name change or sex change" (Kolkhorst's office wrote the 2009 legislation that added sex change documentation to the list of acceptable documents). more ›

The Austin headquarters for Equality Texas, a statewide organization that educates and engages people on policies and their effect on Texans of all sexual orientations, were vandalized this past weekend. Perpetrators smashed the large plate glass window facing the street, but didn't enter the building or remove any of its contents. more ›

Photos of this year's Pride festival, which took place last weekend. more ›

One Community, One Pride is a fitting theme for this year’s Austin Pride, which takes place this weekend. In previous years, Equality Texas handled the Pride Festival while the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce handled the Pride Parade. But in 2008 the two groups worked together to host the events on the same day. Further proving the efficiency of the gay community, this year’s combined event was organized by the community via the Pride Coalition, an AGLCC program that includes seven representative LGBT organizations. more ›

In an effort to put to rest the debate over whether Austin has an actual gay and lesbian community, eight prominent LGBT organizations today announced the formation of the Pride Coalition. The unifying entity is, in many ways, largely an effort to eliminate some of the petty squabbling over resources and public attention that many of these groups often found themselves caught up in. It also hopes to better promote the various community volunteer efforts that take place throughout the year. more ›

Students at Austin High School, LBJ High school, Travis High School, Westlake High School, Hendrickson High School, and many other local schools will join students across the nation in a Day of Silence to protest the discrimination, harassment and abuse faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and their allies in schools next Tuesday, April 18. Over 100 silent participants will wear stickers and pass out 'speaking cards' that read: "Please understand my... more ›

This week marks the tenth anniversary of National Freedom to Marry week, and to celebrate, local groups Atticus Circle, Equality Texas, and The Right to Marry have organized an "illegal" marriage ceremony at City Hall this Saturday, February 20th. Gay and straight couples can show their support for legalizing gay marriage by participating in the reciting of vows at Austin City Hall. Interested parties can also show up at the Travis County Tax Assessor's Office... more ›

He's a comedian, a novelist, an ordained minister, a dad, a husband, and a walker through Spain (ask him about that walking trip sometime). What's isn't Owen Egerton? If you ask that question, one of your answers won't be a member of hot local boy band Cedar Fever. And, as if he isn't busy enough already, he's one of the main dudes behind The Right to Marry, an awesome organization whose goal "...is to promote... more ›

Gay and Lesbian Pride Month continues this weekend with the Texas Pride Festival at Waterloo Park. The annual outdoor celebration brings together a bevy of artists, performers, local merchants and restaurants for an all-day celebration. The schedule of bands appears below: Noon: Manager's Choice 1pm: Lisa Richards ~ 2006 Kerrville New Folk Finalist 2pm: Lisa Rogers/Purly Gates ~ 2006 Kerrville New Folk Finalist 3pm: Flamin' Desire 4pm: Kit Holmes 5pm: Omar Lopez ~ 2006... more ›