Gay Place

Homo Photo Club's "Ménage à Process" (Photo by Gretchen Phillips)

Love is in the air this holiday weekend – and it's not just these springtime temps. The LGBTQIAxyz community is decking the halls with hearts and condoms and self-care packages, because – inside this rainbow – we know love is a lot more encompassing than just googly eyes and rosebuds. So whether you're getting down and dirty, or looking for a ménage à process à la lesbian weddings, spend this week(end) in the thralls of friends, lovers, and icons. Valentine's Day might be a Hallmark holiday, but the love within this whimsical q-mmunity is anything but corporate.

GAYDAR

Opening Night: Homo Photo Club's Ménage à Process Deb Norris, Gretchen Phillips, and Beth Schindler bring the return of the Homo Photo Club with new prints actually processed in a darkroom. Opening party tonight; show runs through Feb. 27. Thu., Feb. 11, 6-9pm. Prizer Gallery, 2023 E. Cesar Chavez. [email protected], www.fb.com/prizergallery.

Treat Yo'Self Valentine's Dance Party If loving yourself is wrong then we don't want to be right. Treat yo'self to a dance party, get glittered, indulge in sweets, take a photo. GirlFriend DJs. Proceeds go to Planned Parenthood. As Ru says, "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" Thu., Feb. 11, 9:30pm. Swan Dive, 615 Red River, 512/994-2819. $5. www.fb.com/swandiveaustin.

HAIL YASSS! Drag Queens & Pearls (A Prince Drag Tribute) Grab those raspberry berets – it's a dragtacular tribute to that beautifully androgynous crooner. Arcie Cola hosts with performances by Ruby Knight, Jade D'Shay Kline, Rainbow Starfish, Kitty Buick, and then some. It'll be fierce enough to make doves cry. Fri., Feb. 12, 10pm. Elysium, 705 Red River, 512/478-2979. $5. www.fb.com/poopooatx.

Austin Lesbian Prom 2016 Take it back to high school with a lez-themed prom for all ladiez. Get fancy and dancey with DJ Kimmy K and ATX's newest drag king troupe, Boiz 4 Now. Sat., Feb. 13, 7pm. Shoal Crossing Event Center, 8611 MoPac N., 512/261-0142. $45-80. www.fb.com/events/1516623931988306.

allgo Presents: Baile: The Dance Dance the night away with Austin's QPOC community. An evening of love, life, and chocolate hearts, Allgo invites you to bring your Valentine or meet a new one. Sat., Feb. 13, 8-11pm. Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron, 512/974-1690. $15 in advance, $25 at door. www.allgo.org.

BPM Saturdays: Queen of Hearts Valentine's Edition Love is in the air, or is that the aerialists? Yup, Four Elements Aerialists will be twirling above while DJ BigFace spins below. No cover before 2am. Sat., Feb. 13, 9pm-3am. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado, 512/649-1212. www.highlandlounge.com.

The Madonnathon It's time to pay the Divine Lady M tribute. It's cone bras and changing wigs performed by the likes of Kitty Buick, Bulimianne Rhapsody, Zane Zena, and more grooving to her greatest dancefloor anthems by DJs Mouthfeel, Divorcée, and GirlFriend. Promise, they'll make you feel like a virgin. Sat., Feb. 13, 10pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River, 512/431-2133. $5.

Lesbian Wedding: A Tea Dance What's better than a Valentine's wedding? A lesbian wedding – except this one is vow-free. So spend V-day dancing, day-drinking, and eating cake while Mosaico Experiencia (Bodega Visual aka Mazapan of Queer Cumbia & Adzua-Gette Cole of House of Shakur) DJs. Plus, early badge pickup for OUTsider will be here. Sun., Feb. 14, 2pm. The Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd., 512/927-0700.

TGQ Social XXIII: The Red & Black Edition TGQ invites all gender-diverse folks and allies to spend the big V-day together. A red-and-black wardrobe is encouraged. Sun., Feb. 14, 6pm. Butterfly Bar at the Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd. www.fb.com/tgqsocial.

Uncovered: How I Left Hasidic Life and Finally Came Home The tale of Leah Lax's 30-year journey from liberal teen to Hasidic Jew to coming out. Author Neena Husid facilitates. Donations go to future LGBTQ events. Tue., Feb. 16, 7pm. JCAA Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart. www.shalomaustin.org.

LGBT in Tech: A SXSW Interactive Community MeetUp Lesbians Who Tech, the AGLCC, and Lesbutante & the Boss have teamed up with SXSW Interactive to make the gayest, techiest SXSW meetup yet. Mingle, network, and possibly win a free Interactive badge. Wed., Feb. 17, 6-8pm. Dropbox Austin, 501 Congress, 5th floor. www.sxsw.com/interactive.

AGLIFF Presents: Henry Gamble's Birthday Party Catch the Texas premiere of Henry Gamble's Birthday Party, a new gay film tackling queer love, religion, and pool parties. A Skype Q&A with star Cole Doman follows. Wed., Feb. 17, 7:30pm. Alamo Drafthouse, 1120 S. Lamar, 512/861-7040. $10. www.agliff.org.

OUTsider Opening Night! OUTsider 2016 kicks off with a boom! La Chica Boom that is. Aka Xandra Ibarra, the Oakland-based performance artist who mixes traditional Mexican iconography with erotica to put on more than your typical burlesque show. Also catch the unveiling of the LA/ATX Pocket Expo: The New Rules of Flagging – a workshop and video installation on the game of flagging, topping, and color-coding your desires. Wed., Feb. 17, 8pm. Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Rd., 512/474-7886. Badges $40-100; individual tickets sold prior to shows. www.outsiderfest.org.

OUTsider Conferences on the Couch Always wanted to attend the Stein Salon? Here's your chance. Check the OUTsider schedule for the daily Q&A topic and kewl kweer lineup. Listen to art-makers, sip some coffee, say hello, be inspired. Thu.-Sat., Feb. 19-21. See OUTsider schedule for location. Badges $40-100; www.outsiderfest.org.

GAYLY AHEAD

The Best Kink Advice Nobody told You Renowned sex educator/writer/artist/goddess Midori teaches and tantalizes on how to do kink better. Thu., Feb. 18, 6:30pm. Q Toys, 6800 Burnet Rd., 512/772-1614. $41.08. [email protected], www.qtoysaustin.com.

The Pink Elephant Hip-Hop Festival Pink elephants rejoice! The largest LGBTQ hip-hop music festival is happening right here in ATX! Twenty-five performers, two days, one fabtastic event. Wed.-Thu., March 9-10. Victory Grill, 1104 E. 11th, 512/291-6211. www.fb.com/victorygrill.