Gay Place

Sundays are the new Saturdays. This week, we can't help but notice the day to queer and be queer is not your typical Friday/Saturday night. We also can't help but notice that Sunday is also National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. With the startling – and upsetting – uptick in new HIV positive diagnoses, and many within the younger gay male communities, the importance of such a day isn't lost on the Gay Place. We need to talk about HIV, we need to end the stigma, we need to stop new infections. We can all help fight this fight (see Sunday).

GAYDAR

Julie Nolen Band Barbara "Babs" Nesbitt opens for Ms. Julie and her boyz. Dirty jokes and inappropriateness promised. Thu., April 7, 8pm. Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar, 512/448-2552. www.julienolen.com.

Chris Pureka at Cactus Cafe Genderqueer singer-songwriter Chris Pureka lands in Austin for some song-singing. One night only. Fri., April 8, 8pm. Cactus Cafe, 2247 Guadalupe, 512/475-6515. $15 in advance, $18 at the door. www.chrispureka.com.

L&B Friday Night Ladies Night Lez bust out those dancin' shoes cuz the Lesbutante and the Boss are bringin' it Spring Fling style. In fact, they've teamed up with Austin Women's Basketball League to make this the most magical ladiez night. Fri., April 8, 9pm. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado, 512/649-1212. www.lesbutanteandtheboss.com.

Austin Girls of Leather host Bear Hunt Paintball Those leather-clad ladies are making rainbows with their paintball Bear Hunt. Proceeds go to Austin PrEP Access Project, and those always indulging Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are gonna bless the field upon which they play. Grilling and drinking happens after playing (1pm). BYO food and bev. Sun., April 10, 8:30am-4pm. Texas Paintball, Jonestown. $30. www.austingirlsofleather.com.

GayTripper: Treaty Oak Distillery Tour Hitch a ride with the gaytrippers for a Funday-filled Sunday. Rum, vodka, whiskey – oh my! Sun., April 10, noon-4pm. Dripping Springs. $45. www.therepubliq.com/presents/gaytripper.

NYHAAD - Passing the Ribbon: Millennials Respond Commemorate National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. Speakers discuss the very real and very current HIV crisis, public policy, and how queer youth can make a difference. Snacks and QTs provided. Sun., April 10, 1-3pm. Google Fiber Space, 201 Colorado. [email protected].

T.E.N.T. and PFLAG Picnic Spend a Sunday Funday lounging in grass with the Transgender Education Network of Texas and PFLAG. They've got the hot dogs, you get the sides. Sun., April 10, 2-6pm. Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez, 512/974-3840. www.pflagaustin.org.

Art Erotica Fundraiser at Tapelenders Meet and mingle with those sexay (art) erotica models while DJ Screaming Color paints the space sweaty. Complimentary drinks and snacks, plus 15% off Package Menswear sale items. And, if yer still lookin' to get tix to the main event, do it here and get 20% off that. Oh me, oh my. Sun., April 10, 3-5pm. Tapelenders Video, 1114 W. Fifth #201, 512/472-0844. www.tapelenders.com.

Austin International Poetry Festival – Queer Read Celebrate the queer poets. Cindy Huyser hosts a queer reading for the 24th annual Austin International Poetry Festival. Sun., April 10, 6-8pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar Ste. 105-A, 512/472-2785. www.aipf.org.

TGQ Social XXV & Afterparty for T.E.N.T.-PFLAG Picnic A meetup for everyone (including allies) that stand under the gender nonconforming umbrella. Come chillax. Sun., April 10, 6pm. Butterfly Bar at the Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd. www.fb.com/tgqsocial.

Jake Wing Rope Intensive Embrace your knotty side with master rigger Jake Wing's three-weekend-long rope intensive. Doesn't matter if rope bondage is new or old news to ya, this is all levels kinda welcome. Week 1: Basics, Week 2: Hog and frog ties, Week 3: Advanced rope flow techniques and ichinawa. Tie it up. Sundays, through April 24. Q Toys, 6800 Burnet Rd., 512/772-1614. $50 for all three classes. www.qtoysaustin.com.

PFLAG Monthly Meeting Northwest Group Need a place to be? PFLAG's monthly meetings invite everyone from teens to senior citizens to join the discussion, or just listen and snack. As always, they like to keep things confidential. Second Tuesdays. Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church, 3315 El Salido, Cedar Park, 512/219-9008. Free. www.pflagaustin.org.

TuezGayz Can't stop dreaming of Selena? Roll out to Tuezgays for Glitoris' fourth annual tribute to the Tejana singer taken too soon. Tue., April 12, 9pm. Barbarella, 615 Red River, 512/476-7766. Free before 10, $5 after. www.fb.com/barbarella.austin.9, www.theglitoris.com.

PFLAG Monthly Meeting South Group Need a place to be? PFLAG's monthly meetings invite everyone from teens to senior citizens to join the discussion, or just listen and snack. As always, they like to keep things confidential. Second Thursdays. Faith Presbyterian Church, 1314 E. Oltorf, 512/444-1314. Free. www.pflagaustin.org.

We Have Faith: LGBT Clergy and People of Faith Speak Out Breaking down stereotypes between religion and queerness one conversation at a time. Members of the LGBT clergy will speak on "the importance of actively challenging prejudice," and embracing queer families. Join the convo. Thu., April 14, 7pm. JCAA Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart. Free. www.shalomaustin.org.

GAYLY AHEAD

URBAN LGBT NIGHT Hold on to yer panties – there's a new takeover in town for the "urban LGBT." Join 'em and DJ Q Marie for the very first night of the new world Austin. Getcher self hot 'n' bothered. This event is 18 and up. Fridays. Club NY NY, 512/937-8327. $10 for 21+, $20 for 18+.

Austin International Drag Festival ATX Drag Fest year two is upon us. Spend the days dolling around Drag Village, spend those nights stunned by stunning showcases – plus a welcome dinner and show on the first night and a Bye Felicia Breakfast the final morning. It's a glamorama good time. See website for full schedule. Thu.-Sun., April 28-May 1. $30-99. www.austindragfest.org.

Hill Country Ride for AIDS Join the ride, end the stigma, raise some money, and make a difference. Bikers choose between 13, 27, 43, or 65 miles with a celebratory swim at Krause Springs. Dive in. Ride on. Sat., April 30. www.hillcountryride.org.

Mortified Seeking LGBTQIA Participants Do you crave the spotlight? Are you a fan of TMI? Well then, Mortified Austin is looking for you to perform at their Big Gay Mortified show in May. If yer an adult with a horrific, embarrassing, hilarious (queer-centric) story from yer teen years, submit it on the website! Submit for screening at www.getmortified.com/participate. [email protected].