Gay Place: Bobcat Pride

Your humble Gay Place confesses mascot loyalty. Go, Bobcats! (See Saturday)! (Photo by Kate X Messer)

Ahhhhh! San Marcos is such a sweet college town, laid back with that Central Texas live-and-let-live vibe that we Austinites know so well. But the sad fact is that the small burg has a heck of a time maintaining any regular LGBTQ hangout. We've listed efforts by the folks behind the monthly Rainbow Nights to found an annual Pride fest and LGBTQ hangout (see Ongoing). And on the academic side, Texas State Lambda has hosted the Bobcat Ball for years. The annual tradition continues this week. (See Saturday.) We already ♥ the Bobcats. This week, they make us beam.

ON OUR GAYDAR

PRE-HOLIDAY BLUES INDIE DISCO Free Get-Your-Waaaaaah-On. DJ Jonathan spins the mopiest mopes to cool you down for the holidays. Thu., Nov. 14, 10pm. Spider House Ballroom, 2906 Fruth. Free. www.facebook.com/sobscene.

PFLAG SOUTH MONTHLY MEETING Family is nice; allied family is love. Second Thursdays, 6:30-9pm. Faith Presbyterian Church, 1314 E. Oltorf. Free.

FRIDAY NIGHT BEARS Big burly gear night with cheap quaff. Fridays, 9pm-2am. The Iron Bear, 121 W. Eighth. Free. www.theironbear.com.

POO POO PLATTER'S CRAPPY BIRTHDAY Light up your teeny hibachi, it's the 1-year birthday for Austin's veritable spare rib, fried shrimp, chicken wing, beef skewer, fried wonton, crab rangoon, and egg roll. Fri., Nov. 15, 8pm. Elysium, 705 Red River. $5. www.facebook.com/poopooatx.

TWO SPIRIT PEOPLE Come learn about gender and sexuality in Native American culture at this workshop and film screening. Sat., Nov. 16, 2pm. The Q, 3408 West. Free. www.facebook.com/legalizehuman.

BOBCAT BALL FALL 2013 Whip out those cat claws and go "Rrawr!" as Lambda of Texas State and Kelly Stone host this annual expo of all things Bobcat and queer to cheer on your favorite SM (San Marcos, son!) drag kings and queens. Sat., Nov. 16, 8-11pm. Bar OneFortyOne, 141 E Hopkins, San Marcos. $5. www.facebook.com/groups/lambdaoftxstate.

LIVE AND LET STRIP We'll spare you our thesis on why James Bond qualifies as a bona fide queer icon and just let you know that Diamond Burlesque presents a slew of sassy ladies with double-oh-somethings to pay homage to that other double-oh, 007. Sat., Nov. 16, 8pm. Stateside at the Para­mount, 719 Congress, 512/472-5470. $30-42.

RUPAUL'S TAMMIE BROWN Alterna-queen Tammie takes Austin. Sun., Nov. 17, 10:30pm & 12mid. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth. www.facebook.com/rupaulsdragrace.

EROTICA 101 Hone your sexiest organ, your brain, at this writing workshop with Rachel Kramer Bussel. Tue., Nov. 19, 7-9pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar. $15. www.ebookwoman.com, www.rachelkramerbussel.com.

TUESDAYS WILD WITH BIT­TER HEART SOCIETY Pilgrimess and Nick's House Band appear with BHS on this record-shopping bop fest. Tue., Nov. 19, 7-10pm. Trailer Space Records, 1401-A Rosewood. www.facebook.com/bitterheartsociety.

QUEER RIDE Search Team ProHomo on Facebook for up-to-date details on meeting spots and stops of this weekly ride. Wednesdays, 7pm. Free. www.facebook.com/austintph.

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE Come join your community as Austin joins communities around the globe in this memorial for fallen trans* folks. Wed., Nov. 20, 7pm. Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second. www.facebook.com/tentaustin.

ESOTERIC Not your typical gay bar beats. Each week explores alt-labels like Sub Pop, Touch & Go, etc. You know, shizzzz grizzled old punk daddies might luv. Yesssss. Wednesday, 8pm-mid. Chain Drive, 504 Willow.

AGLCC HAPPY HOUR AND ELECTIONS Austin's gay chamber invites you to nosh, mingle, and help shape its new board. Thu., Nov. 21, 6:30-8:30pm. LifeWorks, 2001 Chicon, 512/735-2100. Free. www.aglcc.org/calendar, www.lifeworksaustin.org.

HO-RIZON

SAN MARCOS PRIDE 2014 & THE WALK-IN CLOSET The person behind Rainbow Night has been hard at work pulling together a Pride and a new LGBTQ hangout, a place to be who you are. Phew. All's they need is you. Hey, Bobcat Qs and allies: San Marcos Pride seeks volunteers, performers, graphic designers and printers, hotel partnerships, vendors, and especially $ponsor$. Call or email Silvia. Coming 2014. 512/644-5637. [email protected].

THE GLENN EADDY TOY DRIVE C'mon you silly ol' bears (and otters and others), bring a stuffed fluff o' luv or some other new toy, gift card, or cash donation, and join Glenn in his annual drive to brighten the seasons of kids living with HIV/AIDS. Donations accepted through mid-December. The Iron Bear, 121 W. Eighth.