This Sunday, Cheer Up Charlie's will host a very special event for the Memorial Day weekend. Visiting from San Francisco, DJ Carnita will be spinning discs for Good for the Soul, a day time dance party. In San Francisco, DJ Carnita is part of a six person crew that hosts a popular day time party known as Hard French. Some of San Francisco's best soul DJs have been featured at the party which has won many accolades from bay area publications. The party in Austin promises to be just as entertaining. He also co-hosts Daytime Realness, a monthly display of drag, dancing, and debauchery. more ›

This Memorial weekend, GetEqual TX will be hosting their third annual Harvey Milk Day Conference in celebration of the legendary gay politician's birthday, life, and accomplishments. Students, educators, and community organizers from all over Texas will take part in networking, discussion, and education on how to make a difference in their own communities. more ›

While the LGBT community may feel that God often taketh away, it seems sometimes He can giveth as well: Pending approval from the July general convention of the Episcopal Church, St David's Episcopal Church of Austin could become one of two Texas churches to begin blessing same sex unions early next year. more ›

Austin's longtime LGBT and women's rights advocate Bettie Naylor, has died at the age of 84. Her partner Libby Sykora discovered that she had passed in her sleep. more ›

Strange developments in the race for Harris County Democratic Party Chair appear to be pitting Houston's black and gay communities against each other. An email of odd provenance warns that “If the gays take over we are poised to lose everything we have worked for during President Obamas [sic] historic win.” more ›

L Style G Style co-founders and life partners Lynn Yeldell and Alisa Weldon will be recognized with the Visibility Award at the 2012 Austin HRC Gala. This award recognizes LGBT individuals who are living open and honest lives at home, at work, and in their greater community. The couple met at the Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Lynn found Alisa's energy and enthusiasm infectious and these same qualities became the foundation to starting L Style G Style. The couple talked with Austinist about being honored with the award, the difficulties of living openly and honestly, and their views on the Austin LGBT community. more ›

If you've been secretly hiding a pair of old school roller skates under your bed, now's the time to whip 'em out and ride. This Thursday, UNITE!, Team Prohomo, Mouthfeel, Sir/Ma'am, and Alien She will bring together a rainbow assortment of queers for Roller Disco, a skate party and volunteer drive at the Millenium Youth Entertainment Complex. more ›

This entry is a perhaps overdue explanation and follow-up to our story last week about the alleged incident at Barbarella. In the time that has passed, the editor has attempted to reach out to staff there, and hasn't been able to get in touch. Regardless of our ability (or deservingness) to get a statement or follow up from them, we felt it important to follow up with a bit more thought. What follows are two personal notes breaking from our standard first person plural voice. more ›

Just when it seemed assured that local video bar Barbarella was “'bout the hottest bitch in heels right here” it seems the homo-hipster haven is really no more welcoming to the LGBTQ community than Michele Bachmann's tour bus. On Friday night, Michael Grammar and friends visited Barbarella. Michael, who lives in Grand Prairie and doesn't identify as male, visits Austin often and usually feels comfortable running around in make-up and fabulous heels. Apparently, the staff at Barbarella had a problem with a boy in heels. As described on tumblr, Michael kicked over an empty cup when a bouncer grabbed Michael by the throat and demanded the cup be put in the trash can. When Michael's friend assisted in throwing the cup away, the bouncer threw the cup on the floor and demanded that Michael throw it away. Once the mess was taken care of, Michael was led out of the bar by the throat while bar staff imitated a gay lisp, made homophobic remarks, pushed Michael's friend Katie and called her a “trashy cunt.” more ›

As 2011 becomes 2012, everyone's favorite queer cinema event Homoscope has put together an evening of four films with transition as the main theme. Last Lab 11 will take place tonight at 8pm at the Hideout Theatre. Donations will be taken at the door but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. more ›

For those afraid of venturing into the hispter haven of East Austin but are still hungry for a local art fix, today the Q Austin will be hosting the Power of Art and Action Block Party loosely located between Lamar and Guadalupe. Local artists and participating organizations will transform the Q Austin into a fairground of interactive booths, art exhibits, displays, and live music performances for an experience that will meld art and social action. more ›

Gays, find a pair of pants you didn't hack off above the knees and lesbians, please give your little brother back his PF Flyers. The evening's attire calls for your most creative black and white. Definitely a reason to flip through your favorite drag queen's look book. more ›

GetEQUAL

"Coming Out For Marriage Equality" March and Rally
Saturday, October 15
()
March 5pm, Ceremony 5:30pm
[info]

While the government may not be ready to accept same-sex marriage it seems the man upstairs is giving his thumbs up. Well, sort of. The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin will be performing a mass same-sex marriage and commitment ceremony on the Capitol steps this Saturday at 5:30pm. It may be too short of a notice to get your wedding invites printed, but your friends will understand it's not shotgun.

“Marriage is about love and commitment, and GLBT citizens want the same rights to express their commitment to a life-partner that heterosexual citizens enjoy,” says Reverend Meg Barnhouse, who will be officiating the ceremony by the powers vested in her.

Saturday night, the ND @ 501 Studios will be the disco landscape for Club Kid, a benefit for AIDS Services of Austin brought to you by Mouthfeel. Club Kid is a throwback to the early 90s LGBTQIA club culture and is focused on a younger audience that normally doesn't participate in ASA-related events. And if you're too young to remember the early 90s, here's a little history lesson about how you were conceived.

The evening will kick off at 9:00pm with DJs Dylan Reece and Mike Zawodniak of Flying Turns spinning discs into a frenzy leading into a competitive fashion show at 10:00pm by Coco Coquette. Eight Austin designers will compete to please the Statesman's Michael Barnes, Tribeza's Lauren Smith-Ford, and Tito Vodka's Amiel “Happy” Mercado for a $1000 prize.

The fashion show will be followed by a massive dance event with performances by psychedelic-electronic band End Wave, break dancing from the B*Girlz, a drag show by the fierce Feonix Firestone, a samba number by the enigmatic Ms. Coral Rose, and more all out weirdness. Vogue-champion Andre Hernandez will host the evening's festivities.

Austin's latest transplant, Catherine Luna has set up a yoga studio exclusively for the LGBT community. Catherine, who is also an artist, DJ, and amateur musician, was lured to Austin by the city's energy, excitement, and gay friendly environment.

An experienced yoga professional and energy healer, Catherine has also been featured on the TV series, “Great Yoga Teachers.” Self discovery and acceptance are major aspects of yoga and this inspired Catherine to open a studio that focuses on a community that often struggles with these issues. Based on her own life journey and the role yoga has played in it, Catherine saw this as an opportunity to make a difference. Her new endeavor provides a space for LGBT yogis to practice and talk comfortably, honestly, and naturally about their lives, struggles, and rewards.

Let's face it, sometimes it's just too hot to be out of the closet. Luckily, Austin's PRIDE celebration has been moved to September and thanks to some divine intervention, the weather is finally at a sensible 90 degrees. This gives you no excuse to participate in the 5k fun run, parade, or festival at Fiesta Gardens. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Austin PRIDE, which was originally called “Gay Fiesta.”

It looks like Governor Perry has finally come out of the closet...to support gays that is. Or something like it.

While visiting Rock Hill, North Carolina, Perry was asked about his views on Civil Rights. The governor applauded the civil rights movement but more importantly he said:

“And as we go forward, America needs to be about freedom. It needs to be about freedom from overtaxation, freedom from over-litigation, freedom from over-regulation. And Americans regardless of what their cultural or ethnic background is they need to know that they can come to America and you got a chance to have any dream come true because the economic climate is gonna be improved.”

Hush

Austin's more adventurous gays have already wandered past the usual 4th street haunts and discovered Austin's newest gay bar, Hush. Two of Austin's long time bar barons have ventured into business of the homosexual persuasion, which coincidentally befits the partnered couple. While Hush has been open for business for about a month, last week was its official coming out party. Located in the building that formerly housed Light Bar, Hush features two dance floors, multiple rooms, a rooftop lounge, and a late bed time - all crucial for attracting the cruising homosexual.

Tonight, Austin's trendiest gay bar Rain is giving you the chance to finally wrap up in your favorite garbage bag dress for a Ke$ha look alike contest. If you frequently wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy, have a habit of losing your coat at a party at a rich dude's house, or if every night you're just down to go out then you might have what it takes to be the best (or worst?) dressed on the Lite-Brite dance floor.

Michael Holden/flickr

Queer V. Gay
Wednesday, July 13
Cheer Up Charlies (1104 E. 6th St.)
7pm-9pm
[info]

While most bars provide an environment for binge drinking, dirty dancing, and club cruising, Cheer Up Charlies is doing things a little queer tonight. Marriage equality project UNITE! and southern queer zine Sir/Ma'am will being hosting a serious discussion about what it means to be gay. Or what it means to be queer. Or what it means to be both (if that's even possible). And what is going on with those lesbians?

This Saturday, Pride month continues as aGLIFF hosts their annual summer fundraiser and art auction, BOOM at East Side Stages. The evening brings together over twenty five LGBT artists of all mediums to celebrate the community's differences through self expression. Artwork will be up for auction with the proceeds going to benefit aGLIFF and the artists themselves. If you're blissfully unaware, aGLIFF's programs include filmmaking experiences for LGBT youth, assistance for US and international filmmakers, and free public screenings.

This Friday, Queerbomb will be making a radical queer blast on the streets of Austin. The event begins at 7:00pm at the East Side Drive In for a rally and pre-procession entertainment, followed by a march down 6th street, and several affiliated parties around town. Parties will include music festival Gayos in Tejas, a performance at OCH by video vixen Cazwell, the Love Parade party (boys in heels and girls with facial hair get in free), the Austin Leather Social, and dance party Queer Up Charlie's Pride in your Pants. The Official Queerbomb After Party is so on the down low, it's still in the closet. You'll have to make it through the march to find out the super secret details. more ›

Sunday, May 22 would mark the 81st birthday of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. To celebrate his life and accomplishments, the Texas chapter of GetEQUAL will be hosting their 2nd Annual Harvey Milk Day Conference with a weekend full of events. more ›

This Saturday is shaping up to be one of Austin's gayest days ever with the launch of two initiatives that aim to promote equality and community building, Going Up Day and UNITE! 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 ›

Banana hammocked and bikini clad guests can look forward to signature cocktails from Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka and Republic Tequila as well as a customized taco bar from Zocalo Cafe. DJ Aaron Montez will be spinning discs and dropping beats.

L Style G Style profiles gay men and lesbians that impact the community in a positive way. The Creative Issue will feature highly talented designers, photographers, set designers, and innovators.

This Saturday night, AIDS Services of Austin brings the Sin City to Austin Music Hall with their 18th annual charity benefit Viva Las Vegas. The evening will feature performances by Coco Coquette, aerial arts collective Sky Candy, and the vinyl grooves of DJ Orion. Originally an other worldly wig shop, Coco Coquette spreads a love for maximalist glamour through parties, shows, and a unique shopping experience that encourages embracing your inner drag queen. more ›

Weekly dance party, Mouthfeel, has now moved to Thursday nights at east side bar Cheer Up Charlie's. This dance adventure seeks to foster a queer community that creates positive energy and explores political dimensions through sensual overload. Along with the change in venue, Mouthfeel will also be partnering with different gay organizations for fundraising and awareness efforts. All proceeds from the first party will benefit UNITE!, a marriage equality initiative, in association with Going Up Days, a non-profit that mobilizes and motivates the LGBT community to participate in volunteering for community building projects. more ›

At the 2011 Austin Human Rights Campaign Gala, Stephen Mills and Dr. Brent Hasty will be receiving the Visibility Award for their outstanding contributions to the community. The HRC Visibility Award recognizes individuals in the LGBT community who live open and honest lives at home, work, and in their greater community.

Stephen has been the Artistic Director of Ballet Austin since 2000 and has attracted national attention for his shows. The Washington Post called the company “one of the nation's best kept secrets” in 2004. He has received multiple honors and awards for his work as a choreographer, and created more than 40 works for companies throughout the world.

Dr. Hasty has worked extensively in the educational field supporting creative learning through his work with mindPop, which uses arts education programs to help Austin students become inspired thinkers, and Big Thought of Dallas, which focuses on building partnerships that allow all children access to quality educational opportunities.

The couple mark the beginning of their 13 year relationship with the day Princess Diana died, the day they made the decision to move in together. We had a chance to talk to the two about receiving the HRC's award, their thoughts on being gay role models, and the gay community in Austin.