Gay Place

"When you don't have family, they're your family," a community elder told me recently – referring to our chosen families – while discussing the 1980s AIDS epidemic. Thirty years later, that sentiment still rings true. It's been a hellish couple of weeks, but if one good thing has come from the tragedy in Orlando it's the overwhelming love and support emanating from queer communities. This week, Austin is filled with fundraisers to help ease the monetary burden on Pulse victims and their families. But there's a lot of good queer history to celebrate, too. Sunday marks one year of freedom to marry, and Tuesday is the 47th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. A year of Marriage Equality symbolizes how far we've come, while Orlando shows us how much further we have to go. But there's no one else I'd rather be fighting with.

GAYDAR

Stonewall Celebration! Just cuz Austin's Pride comes a couple months after Pride month doesn't mean we don't celebrate the Stonewall Riots. Remember, rejoice, and honor the spark that lit the LGBTQ rights movement. Thu., June 23, 7-8:30pm. Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress, 512/305-8400. www.austinpride.org.

Love Y'all. A Queercore Benefit for the Pulse Shooting Victims As a community, queers make even riots and mourning more beautiful. Mourn the Pulse nightclub victims, dance yer queer a$$ off, and help those in need and loss feel the monetary damage a little less. Mom Jeans, DJ Rob Yazzie, Nameless Frames, and more. Thu., June 23, 9pm. Spider House Ballroom, 2906 Fruth, 512/480-9562. Donations welcome.

Andrew Christian Models at BT2! It's not the humidity yer feelin' – it's the steam from Andrew Christian and his four models walkin' that runway. Fri., June 24, 2pm. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35, 512/419-9192. www.fb.com/bt2atx.

Queer Art Show Vol. 3 The Q hosts a night of local art, local artists, and all things queerious. Catch the lineup on Facebook. Fri., June 24, 7-9pm. The Q Austin, 3408 West Ave. Free. www.theqaustin.org, www.fb.com/events/476924255851887.

Die Felicia presents Killer Klowns From Outer Space Got a clown phobia? Then this one might be for you. Horror goddesses Louisianna Purchase and Zane Zena are gonna scare ya good with killer clowns, carnival games, a costume contest, and guests Jade DeShay and Chique Fil-Atio. 18 and up welcome. Fri., June 24, 10pm. Badlands, 1203 Chicon, 512/999-1917. $3.

Weird City Sisters Let's Get Wet Pool Party!! Those face-painted sisters are up to their pool party shenanigans again. Swim-up bar, booze, foods, and boys in swimsuits (including an auction sponsored by Package Menswear). You can BYOB, and proceeds benefit the Weird City Sisters Walk Team for AIDS Walk Austin. Sat., June 25, 2pm. Little House on the Hill. $10. [email protected].

Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs Actor, writer, activist, and queer icon Alan Cumming brings a new talent to town – crooning cover songs from pop culture's latest, greatest, and departed. Sat., June 25, 6:30pm. ACL Live at the Moody Theater, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., 512/225-7999. $59-90. www.acl-live.com/calendar/alan-cumming.

Proud! 2016 It's a fancy schmancy affair with the AGLCC. Celebrate 19 years of gay service, kick off the launch of the AGLCC Foundation (providing education grants to queer locals for further LGBTQIAxyz success). Sat., June 25, 6:30pm. W Hotel, 200 Lavaca, 512/542-3600. $100. www.aglcc.org.

An Intimate Evening w/ Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen That's right, these (gay) famous guys are talking deep and getting shallow. Sat., June 25, 8pm. Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., UT campus, 512/471-2787. $59-350. www.ac2live.com.

Deep Inside Deep Inside goes deep all night long with DJs Dylan Reece, Cap'n Tits, and Mouthfeel. Special performance by Erica Nix and the Transform Dancers. Let's get physical. Sat., June 25, 10pm. Transform, 1909 Wheless, 512/435-9935. $5 before midnight, $10 after. www.fb.com/deepinsideatx.

A Peaceful Pulse One year after Marriage Equality, GirlFriend and Equality Texas invite the qmmunity to come together to celebrate love, mourn Orlando, and revel in queerness. Sun., June 26, 4pm-2am. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River, 512/431-2133. Donations welcome. www.fb.com/girlfriendatx.

Celebrate One Year of Marriage Equality Gays and lezzies have been tying the proverbial knot – legally – for 365 days! Lez party! Sun., June 26, 4-6pm. Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth, 512/472-2445. info@equalitytexas. org, www.equalitytexas.org.

Sundays with the Julie Nolen Band Nothing wraps up a Sunday like some classic queer country and a glass of wine. Julie Nolen plays, Opa serves the vino. Sundays. Opa!, 2050 S. Lamar, 512/326-8742. www.julienolen.com.

Queer Trivia: Round 4 Queertastic, queerious trivia is back again. Lady Grackle, GirlFriend, drinks, and the gayest trivia this side of Trivial Pursuit. Tue., June 28, 6pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River, 512/431-2133. Free.

Jailhouse Music: A Prison Band History Caroline Gnagy is talking and signing her book, Texas Jailhouse Music: A Prison Band History. Tap into her knowledge. Tue., June 28, 7pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar Ste. 105-A, 512/472-2785. www.ebookwoman.com.

Greetings From Queer Mountain Ep. 38: Whoops Carina Magyar, Daniel Webb, Hannah Jove, Austin Smartt, and more return to Queer Mountain with tales of summer fuckery. Long live hot days and sweaty nights. Wed., June 29, 9pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River, 512/431-2133. Free.

Geeks On Fleek: 90s Cartoons Just what the doctor ordered: a new drag show for the nerdiest at heart. Honey St. Claire hosts Jade DeShay, Tasha Star, Tanta LaStyx, Papi Churro, Estee Slaughter, Sticky Gold, and Zane Zena. Dress as yer fave Nineties cartoon character and get entered in the costume contest. Wed., June 29, 10pm. Elysium, 705 Red River, 512/478-8385. $5, $3 with costume.

Guerrilla Queer Bar: Queer as F$ck GQB returns to claim some goddamn, much-needed queer space. Rock some rainbow in honor of Orlando, and lose yerself in a sea of sexy, lovely queers. Thu., June 30, 6-10pm. The Crow Bar, 3116 S. Congress, 512/465-2982. Free. www.fb.com/wherethegirlsgoATX.

GAYLY AHEAD

Austin Pride 2016 Pride is coming. Werk Fashion Show: Sat., Aug. 20. Festival and parade: Sat., Aug. 27. Aug. 20-27. $17-125. www.austinpride.org.

The Queer Queens Of Qomedy Poppy Champlin returns with her motley crew of queer qomedy queens, including Sandra Valls and Mimi Gonzalez. Brace yer face for laughing. Tue., July 12. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado, 512/649-1212. $25, $40 VIP. www.queerqueensofqomedy.com.