Gay Place

Now is the time to talk about the pink elephant in the room. Perhaps you've noticed we're hurtling toward the finish line of this joke-of-an-election. In fact, by the next time you read a "Gay Place" column we'll know how the ballots fell *gulp* .... That is, assuming we don't have any hanging chads or pregnant chads or dangling Trumps. Anywho – I digress – voting is here and now. In fact, you have through tomorrow (Friday) at 7pm to early vote. I probs don't need to tell you there's some seriously crazy shit on the line, so for the love of all things shiny, sparkly, and unicorn-like please go out and submit a ballot today, tomorrow, or on Election Day (Tuesday; see News for locations). And if the idea of watching the wins (and losses) alone is too much stress to handle, head to Cheer Ups for election night coverage with queers, beers, and no Trump supporters in sight. Texas could actually turn blue, y'all – let's make it happen!

GAYDAR

Craft Night Though everyone under the sun is welcome at this weekly craft night, we can't help but love a queer-owned biz that also hosts crafting sessions. Learn something new each week! Thursdays. Bead It, 2058 S. Lamar. www.beaditaustin.com.

Class Transitions A strength training meets boot camp style class developed for Austin's trans community. Thursdays, 7:15pm. Transform, 1909 Wheless, 512/923-5859. $15. www.transformfitnessaustin.com.

Geeks Who Drink Call it a pub quiz, call it trivia; either way show yer smarts while slurpin' beers. Thursdays. The Iron Bear, 121 W. Eighth. Free. www.theironbear.com.

Vegan Drinks Vegan drinks, vegan treats, and some quality hang-out time. Fri., Nov. 4, 8pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River. Free. www.atxvegandrinks.com.

Jess Williamson LP Release + Neon Rainbows Musical goddess Jess Williamson celebrates a new LP with Julian Neel and Cross Record. DJ GirlFriend steps in at midnight for a Friday edition of Neon Rainbows. Fri., Nov. 4, 8:30pm-2am. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River. $3 suggested donation. www.fb.com/jesswilliamsonmusic.

Electric Boobarella: A Burlesque Tribute to Duran Duran These burlesque babes are hungry like the wolves. Catch the tribute. Eighteen and up welcome! Fri., Nov. 4, 9:30pm. Elysium, 705 Red River. $15 ($10, advance).

Tucked Hosted by Rachel Mykels Six queens, one stage. Get a little tucked action, then release that frustration on the dance floor. This week's event gets Cuntry Hunty to benefit Vegas Van Cartier. Fridays. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado, 512/649-1212. Free. www.highlandlounge.com.

LezzDance DJ Dino and the Susan Arbuckle Band make moves and sounds for your listening/dancing pleasure. Sat., Nov. 5, 6-10pm. Maria's Taco Xpress, 2529 S. Lamar, 512/444-0261. $10. www.fb.com/lezzdance-austins-monthly-womens-dance-217466228335989.

Brand New Key Bluegrass Brunch Bluegrass beats and blueberry donuts. What more could a Sunday need? Sun., Nov. 6, 11am-1pm. Voodoo Doughnut, 212 E. Sixth, 512/215-8586. www.brandnewkeymusic.com.

Score@OCH First Sundays Let's see those jerseys out in force. (They earn you some discounts at the bar.) Come get social with other sports-minded jock-o-philes. First Sundays of the month, 3pm. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth. www.oilcanharrys.com.

Jenny Hoyston & Co., Butch County, Deb Norris & Clyde Band Queer music and mayhem in time for a Sunday sunset. Sun., Nov. 6, 6pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River. Free.

Queerdalini! Get yer queer OM on with this weekly yoga class! Designed for all queers, genders, sizes, and levels. Mondays, 7:15pm. Transform, 1909 Wheless. $10-15.

Equality Watch 2016 Can't bear to spend election night alone? Good news: You don't have to. EQTX and the HRC are setting up TVs at CUC for community support. Tue., Nov. 8, 6pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River. Free. www.equalitytexas.org.

TuezGayz Grrrl, it might be Tuesday but go ahead, dance like there's no tomorrow. Tuesdays. Barbarella, 615 Red River. Free before 10, $5 after. www.fb.com/barbarella.austin.9, www.theglitoris.com.

Lesbians Who Tech (and Friends) Austin November Meetup It's a special Veterans Day version of the techie lezzie variety. Head to Visa Inc., mingle, sip, and swag. Wed., Nov. 9, 6-8:30pm. Visa Inc., 12301 Research. Free. www.lesbianswhotech.org.

Bingo-a-go-go Get yer bingo fill Wednesdays at the Warehouse. This ball game is sponsored by and benefits those rainbow Bobcats. Wednesdays, 7-10pm. Stonewall Warehouse, 141 E. Hopkins, San Marcos. www.bobcatpridescholarship.com.

Q Core Group A place for queer men (18-29 years old) to come together, plan events, shoot the sh*t, and build community. All in the name of sexual health! Wednesdays, 7pm. The Q Austin, 2906 Medical Arts. www.theqaustin.org.

Below the Belt Join the Q Boyz for an interactive discussion on modern safer sex options and dating in ATX. They're serving free food and giving away gift cards. Thu., Nov. 10, 7-9pm. The Q Austin, 2906 Medical Arts. Free. www.theqaustin.org.

Color Out Cancer Community is stronger than cancer. Fight it with friends at the second year Color Out Cancer event. Thu., Nov. 10, 7-10pm. V Nightclub, 409 Colorado. $20-40. www.fb.com/coloroutcanceratx.

GAYLY AHEAD

ACC Queer Writing Class With Louisa Jackson Spaventa It's that time of year again – the one and only Louisa Jackson Spaventa is teaching her fabulous Honors English/Queer Writing Class. This only happens once a year and it's only open to 15, but you'll be wooed. Register now for the spring semester. ACC Rio Grande Campus, 1212 Rio Grande. www.austincc.edu/honors.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Take an evening to honor the trans and gender-nonconforming whose lives were cut too short by hate, including our own Monica Loera. Sun, Nov. 20. Austin City Hall Plaza, Cesar Chavez between Guadalupe and Lavaca, 512/974-2000. Free. [email protected], www.tdor.info, www.glaad.org/tdor.