Qmmunity: The Queer Mother Lode

Wow! It’s Mother’s Day weekend, and even though rain’s currently predicted, I’m sure there’ll still be plenty of chances for everyone with cool moms to enjoy themselves together. If you don’t have a cool mom, take it easy instead and maybe celebrate someone who is spiritually a cool mom, an older friend or Lady Gaga. I’m lucky to have a mom who is fairly cool, who made me what I am by playing Elton John, Queen and B-52s all the dang time. Cheers to you, Mom! Turns out hearing “Butterbean” every morning when you drove me to school had a positive effect.

In other news, secondhand store Treasure City Thrift had a soft opening last weekend, May 2-3, of their new location over at 5201 Cameron Rd. The collectively run shop for low-priced prizes shuddered their previous brick-and-mortar on Seventh last September, and has been elbow-deep in renovations since then. Now freshly painted pink, TCT says after a fairly successful soft open, their new schedule should be ready soon. Keep your peepers open for updates.

Your LGBTQ+ Commission for the city of Austin Chair Shep Coyne is now holding unofficial office hours! Their first meeting was last Wednesday, but informal meet-ups are scheduled throughout May at Lynny’s on 12th. These are an opportunity to talk all about what the priorities are for our local queer community. “We know it’s tough out there … we’re all volunteers on this commish,” Shep wrote on their Instagram, “but we know solidarity is key for us to survive this!” Dates of upcoming office hours are 9-11am on May 11, 14, 18, and 28, and noon-2pm on May 21. Of course, you can also attend the commission meetings held every third Monday or reach out to Coyne directly via email at [email protected]. 

Local filmmaker Armani Cobbs is crowdfunding their short feature through OTV + Seed & Spark’s Beyond the Screen Rally, a global fundraising call for intersectional works that runs through May 19. Their short, “Layers,” follows a nonbinary protagonist who must reconsider all they’ve learned from their Southern Black Baptist household after an intimate meeting with an older trans woman. Infused with themes of “identity, faith, and what we inherit,” Cobb’s film is currently at 15% of their $20K production goal. Learn more about the project and how to donate at seedandspark.com/fund/layers#story.

Oh yeah, and freakin’ Queerbomb’s back on the menu! Save the summer date as this alt-Pride event’s set to happen Sunday, June 7. Check out our event listings for their upcoming fundraiser, a speed dating social that promises “connections!” and “gay shit!”

Stay safe, stay smart, and stay empathetic to the journeys of others, Reader. I’ll see you out on those gay ol’ streets.

First Thursdays  Thursday 7, Top Drawer Thrift

Shop cool secondhand finds after hours at this thrift shop benefiting Project Transitions. 5:30pm.

Heightened Scrutiny Thursday 7, Hyperreal Film Club

A screening jointly presented by Transgender Education Network of Texas and Hyperreal, this documentary follows lawyer Chase Strangio’s fight for trans rights in the Supreme Court. Closed captions, ASL interpretation, and air purifiers provided. 7:30pm.

Preciosa Night: We Want to Marry You Friday 8, Cheer Up Charlies

Judge Denise Hernandez partners with L.A.-based Latin queer party Preciosa Night for an all-queer wedding extravaganza. To sign up to get married for free, visit their Insta bio for the application link. Times are limited, so grab yours soon! 

Clash of the Queers: Lace Up Friday 8, Ani’s Day & Night

Grab a ticket to this Gender Unbound-hosted brawl featuring drag, burlesque, local fitness orgs and instructors, trans health resources, and – obvi – wrestling matches! 7pm.

Love Balm Friday 8, Cheer Up Charlies

Queerbomb fundraises for their June 7 date with a little speed-dating madness. 6pm.

Call Me Mother Drag Supper Saturday 9, the Austin Eagle

Austin International Drag Foundation throws a fundraiser sure to fill you up with a divine drag cast all hosted by Jack Rabid with special Dallas guests Buck Wylde and Jackie O’Nasty Graves. 5pm.

Everything’s Bigger Cabaret Saturday 9 – Sunday 10, Showpony Lounge

Hosted by May Buzzetti, this cabaret features the alluring talents of Frankie Branca and Dulce De Leche at this scintillating rodeo-themed roundup. 7pm.

Vixens of Volstead: Call Me Mother Sunday 10, Hotel Vegas

For the pop stars who raised us, the Vixens deliver a tribute with special guest Lawrie Bird and spins by DJ Killgxrl. 1pm.

Soft Focus: The Birdcage Sunday 10, Cheer Up Charlies

A classic comedy starring Nathan Lane and the late, great Robin Williams, Soft Focus cinema club transports Chups to Nineties Miami as part of their “Camp as Mainstream Infiltration” unit. 5:30pm.

Plant Bingo Sunday 10, the Little Gay Shop

Blooming at this weekend event is a beautiful bouquet of bottomless mimosas, brunch bites, bingo fun, and plants aplenty. Presented by TLGS, the Plant Society, and Redeemer Small Batch. 11am.

Big Gay Drag Brunch Sunday 10, the Brewtorium

Celebrate all the moms you know with Austin Pride and host Kelly Kline at this brunch featuring performances, another round of Drag Survivor, and a pop-up Little Gay Shop market. 11am. 

Knife + Heart Sunday 10, We Luv Video

WLV’s Sungays film series goes to France in this month’s selection with director Yann Gonzalez’s 2018 slasher about a porn director whose beautiful crew members keep falling victim to a mysterious masked killer. 7pm.

Trans Femme Support Group Monday 11, Coco Coquette

Led by Bright Light Counseling Center and therapist Bailey Patterson, this group is open to all trans femme folks and trans women who need space to share, unpack feelings, and engage in collective healing. 6:30pm.

Hello Darlings Presents: Boyz Takeover! Monday 11, the Iron Bear

Join host Hilda Dixon and special guest host Stellar Manx for this collab between this Broadway-inspired showcase and gender-diverse drag troupe the Boyz of Austin. 9:30pm.

Queer Two-Step Night Monday 11, Sagebrush

Learn new footwork from Country Fried Dance, practice on the open floor, and enjoy queer country spins by DJ Ed West. 7pm.

Texas Drag Defense Call Tuesday 12, Virtual

National drag org Qommittee holds the Lone Star edition of their drag defense workshop with info sessions on Senate Bill 12’s effect on performers across the state as well as how to fight back. 7pm.

Unite the Fight Launch Party Tuesday 12, the Highball

Drag Queen Game Show hosts Celia Light and Mars present the kickoff event for this local LGBTQ nonprofits fundraiser. Meet this year’s Power Couples and mix and mingle with beneficiaries like Out Youth, allgo, Kind Clinic, and Equality Texas. 7pm.

Supper Club Thursday 14, MASS Gallery

Curator Ariel Wood and chef and sculpture artist Gabrielle Constantine host this shared meal in connection with current MASS exhibition “LAMP.” Diners will gather around the sculpture Earth Oven to enjoy salads, drinks, and wood-fired lahmajun on handmade ceramic plates. Limited spots available, so grab yours quick. 6pm.

In the Calendar Imole: A Black Fae Day  Saturday 9, Carver Museum

Magic and mischief abound at this celebration, which centers fairy tales and folklore from the Black diaspora. Inspired by and a part of the online & IRL cultural event Black Fae Day first founded by Jasmine La Fleur, Austin’s incarnation from arts organizers Amazing Aeffects offers all-ages activities including storytimes, craft stations, a fairy parade, tea time, a costume contest, and a vendor market. Also fluttering in on gossamer wings will be performers Flow Sunshine Flow, NnediMmaha, Sir Beau Elliot, Nicotine, Bubblegum Mayhem, and Meta Phoricx. All are welcome, but the organizers ask non-Black attendees to “be mindful and respectful in this Black led space. Please listen, support, and avoid centering yourself.” – James Scott

HUMP! Film Festival Thursday 14-Saturday 16, Hyperreal Film Club

Blooming once more in Austin is the spring edition of Dan Savage’s adult cinema short film celebration. Over the three-day fest, viewers will enjoy the first half of the series 2026 program – a pupu platter of “jaw-dropping artistry, laugh-out-loud moments, and daring scenes that will have you cheering right alongside the crowd.” If the idea of sitting thine butt down for several hours of top-notch adult content fun doesn’t excite, consider that the screenings on Thursday and Friday will be hosted by Dolly of ATX Brigitte Bandit, and Saturday’s shows get steered by her rock star drag child Sir Maxim. Now that’s hot.  – James Scott

Ilana Glazer Thursday 14, Paramount Theatre

Austin loves Ilana Glazer. After their first May 14 show quickly sold out, Paramount added another on the same date so more of us can have a chance to see the Broad City legend live. As a stand-up comedian, Glazer brings the unfiltered energy of their famous TV role to the stage, with more focus and less wackiness but just as many laughs. With two comedy specials under their belt, a hit film (Babes), a sociopolitical comedy podcast (It’s Open With Ilana Glazer), and a Broadway debut alongside George Clooney last year (Good Night, and Good Luck), the Broad City babe is well beyond a triple threat.  – Kat McNevins

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