Qmmunity: Living the Loudmouth Lifestyle

My email inbox is overloaded with public relations people asking if I want to have a one-on-one with various AI company stooges, but that won’t dilute my spirit as the South by Southwest wave crashes across town. This is because I have the privilege of being able to go outside and actually interact with my community beyond the computer screen. Networking has its place, but that place isn’t me. I’ll be out and about making friends the way nature intended: being a loudmouth. 

And to prove my mouth’s loudness, here’s some freakin’ news items for your gay perusal, Reader.

Homegrown sexual health care providers Kind Clinic are set to launch pilot program Same Day PrEP this Friday. The name belies the whole deal: Eligible patients will now be able to start HIV prevention meds the very same day they visit the clinic. According to KC, there’s nearly 100,000 Texans living with HIV right now and the key to reducing new infections is expanding access to prevention resources. Right now the program will run for five Fridays from 1-5pm, starting this week and on through April 17. This service is for new PrEP patients or those transferring their care. Hit up the Kind Clinic support center line (833/937-5463) for availability updates. 

Do you serve serious Austin, TX drag on the regular? You might be perfectly suited for the inaugural Best Drag of ATX Pageant. Presented by Fourth Street stalwart Oilcan Harry’s along with host Alexander the Great (King of Drag), this competition pits the highly talented kings, queens, and jesters of the ATX drag scene in a big ol’ Lone Star showdown. Winners snag one of three titles – Best Drag King, Best Drag Queen, or Best Drag Artist – complete with a sash, crown, and cash prize, while runners-up can still capture specialty awards such as Most Creative. Contestant spots are limited, so apply via the Google form in Alexander’s Instagram bio (@alexander.great.king) for your chance to compete. 

ALSO: I meant to mention this weeks ago, but a local nonbinary doctoral candidate from UT-Austin is running a survey for their dissertation on the various coming-out experiences of trans and gender-diverse folks. Those who are 18 years or older, ID as trans, nonbinary, or gender diverse, have come out within the past three months to a close cisgender person such as a co-worker, friend, or family member, and are in contact with that person are encouraged to fill out a pre-screening survey via tinyurl.com/53447yw8. This is a paid research study that includes both the 5- to 10-minute survey and an hourlong interview. Hit up [email protected] for any needed clarifications.

Have a safe and silly week, Reader, whether that’s at the Fest or at one of the many pieces of counterprogramming around town.

Ghouls on Film Friday 13, Triple Six Social

Hosts Baby and Schitzo Tha Klown put a few scares into the springtime with an all-ages drag tribute to horror. DJ Traz Ion spins, and the organizers say “Bring your own chair … if you dare!” 7pm.

Drag Race Season 18 Viewing Party w/ Laganja Estranja Friday 13, Highland Lounge

Enjoy this new season with a Drag Race icon as the celebrity guest. Hosts Justice and Cupcake welcome Laganja Estranja for this week’s watch party. 7pm.

OutWellness Game Night Friday 13, OutWellness

Roll the dice on this lowkey but high-fun night of friendly competition with Austin’s queer-forward workout spot. 7pm.

BLOOM: Daytime Raving Edition  Friday 13, Cheer Up Charlies

Access PLUR during daylight hours with this lineup of Slash Need, JAViii, ITZA, Lavender Thug, Cormae, and Of Grace blasting house, pop edits, punk puchayna, and other club beats. Noon. 

Bichota Friday 13, Oilcan’s

To kick off their new Latin pop residency, host Harlot and DJ Lavender Thug welcome special guest Loreto K.O. Enjoy perreo, reggaton, and, obvi, Latin pop groves as well as a strip-off ($150 cash prize) and pop-up drag. 9:30pm. 

EBQ Signatures Friday 13 – Saturday 14, Austin Playhouse

The bright minds behind the ErotiQueer BurlesQue troupe explore their individual abilities with this showcase of the members’ signature acts. 8pm.

Weird West Saturday 14, Tiny Minotaur Tavern

Rustle up your most fantastical Western wear and cow-padres for this themed costume night featuring live music by Creekbed Carter Hogan and Grady P. Drugg. 8pm.

Bathhouse Brunch Saturday 14, Bathe

Get a li’l wet, a li’l wild, and a lot silly at this spa party presented by New York City’s House of Yes and featuring those clowns Fou Fou Ha. Tickets available on the HOY Insta. 2pm.

Woke Cowboy Saturday 14, ColdTowne Theater

If’n you don’t know about this diverse stand-up showcase by now, well. Here’s your chance to know about it! Lineup includes Joe Green, May Buzzetti, Valeria Chavez, Rochelle McConico, Jo Foster, Chris Bryant, and Evan Rabalais. 8pm.

Unofficial SXLGBTQIA+ Market Sunday 15, the Little Gay Shop

Whether you’re a visiting queer or just freakin’ live here, this TLGS market’s a great place to find your new favorite maker. With over 20 vendors as well as the whole of 12th to explore, it’s a perfect antidote to SXSW Sunday scaries. 11am. 

Brick Haus Sunday 15, 29th Street Ballroom

Indie music gets a drag boost at this showcase hosted by local titans of the two worlds: Brigitte Bandit and Turito. Enjoy the tunes of Loreto K.O., p1nkstar, and Kuntress as well as the wigs of Naz’Tasia Narcisse, Bobby Pudrido, Moxie Bandit, Jack the Stripper, and Iggy Bank. 8:30pm.

Trans Day of Visibility Fine Art Photoshoot Sunday 15, RSVP for location

Photographer Sav and OutWellness offer donation-based mini trans photo sessions centered on the idea of “Trans people have always been here and trans bodies have always been art.” Donations benefit nonprofit Trans Can Work. 7:30pm.

Fold Air Pour Over Pop-Up Sunday 15, Lynny’s Trailer

Take a break from Downtown brews for a special session on Seventh and Gunter. Coffee visitors Dani Lopez and Dmitrii Gretchen bring NYC and PNW roasts like Buncho Honey, Oat Twin, Boku Sky God, and Octavio Rueda for bring-your-own-mug pour overs. 9am.

Daytime Zine Workshop Sunday 15, Tiny Minotaur Tavern

Learn the art of independent press making with your Tiny Minotaur and Monkeywrench pals. Supplies included, all-ages, and free – but if you can spare it, drop ’em a $5 donation. 3pm.

& They Were Roommates Sunday 15, Highland Lounge

No longer bound by the walls of their shared rental, DJs Cheex and Relatabel take over the HL basement with a party “focused on community, our queer family, and throwing ass!” 8pm.

Sapphic Singles Sunday 15, Ani’s Day & Night

Find your new friend, foe, or forever love at this sapphic social hosted by Erin Christine and Areesha Singh. 5pm.

No Sleep No Hunger  Monday 16, Hole in the Wall

This showcase cracks four years running with 2026’s 13-artist lineup headlined by Thelma & the Sleaze. Come for the tunes; stay for the drink specials, food specials, freebies, and the $15 all-day valet parking deal courtesy of the Moxy Hotel. 4pm.

Grackle Games Cycle 7 Tuesday 17, Rain on 4th

Let the games begin – again! Lady Grackle hosts the seventh edition of this drag competition with contestants vying for the winner’s bounty: a cash prize and weekly show. 9:30pm.

SXSFou Tuesday 17, Cheer Up Charlies

Fou Fou Ha bring a clown cabaret filled with chaos to the SXSW arena, with burlesque, kiddie-pool lube wrestling, and a guest appearance by Laganja Estranja. 8pm.

The Everything Bigger in Texas Ball Wednesday 18, Swan Dive

Despite this ball presented by Mother Natalie Lepore, emceed by the Legendary Father Moschino, and DJ’d by BabiDoll being SXSW-badge priority entry, you may still be able to slip in (for a cover charge) and see performances by Gothess Jasmine, Quanna, Munji, Benji Badass, Moe Lotti, Joto Magico, Diamond Dior Davenport, and the Spellman Twins. 10pm.

Puro Pinche 956×210 Thursday 19, Swan Dive

Venus Rising and NYC’s Horrorchata present this showcase of drag talent from both the Valley (Arinna Dior Davenport, Bobby Pudrido) and San Antonio (Miss Taint, Mistress Baby Rae). 9pm.

Best of Queer Film Theory 101  Thursday 19, the Highball

This week’s queer film “professors” throw back the clock to their previous performances with retreads of queer cinema presented-past. 7:30pm.

Wuthering Heights Drag Tribute Thursday 19, Elysium

Do you think you’re going to die in this … house? Well, not before you catch this Louisianna Purchase-presented tribute to the Brontë-written – and now Fennell-interpreted – classic. Tour the haunted moors with Tatiana Cholula, Jack Rabid, Greta Grip, Schitzo, Embry Officially, Iggy Bank, Venus Rising, and Noodles. 9:30pm.

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