Queering Austin: Beyond the Bars

#QueerCulture: Austin's LGBTQ+ Community Carves Out Safe Spaces, Visibility in Unique Ways #Pride #Queer #Austin #Texas #LGBTQ+ #Community #Culture

Queer Skate Austin:

• URL: queerskateaustin.com
• Founder Max Richardson, uses they/them, started group as safe space for LGBTQ+ people to skate
• Meets weekly at Mueller Skate Park, all ages, wheels, identities welcome
• Casey Gaston, new to town, found Queer Skate Austin, felt "safe & welcoming," able to be authentic self
• Nawal T., joined 2023, no skate exp., inspired by community: "You can make progress...when you have encouraging friends"

Tiny Minotaur Tavern:

• URL: tinyminataurtavern.com
• Fantasy-themed social club on East Cesar Chavez, "no heteronormativity," fluid gender, inclusive lore, quests, karaoke, drag
• Founder Dana Bauerle-McKnight, uses they/them, created as DIY art during pandemic, "a fantasy 'Cheers'"
• Donation-based membership, costumes encouraged, code of conduct, queer actors, openly queer-adjacent space

Queer Vinyl Collective:

• URL: queervinylcollective.com
• Local group of queer DJs, vinyl enthusiasts, founded by Dana Brown (DJ Dana Scully), spun at Try Hard Coffee, Cheer Up Charlies, more
• About 15 DJs, unique styles, spin for community orgs, nonprofits, clubs, enhancing the vibe, spreading queer joy, building community
• Founder Brown: "For a lot of queer people, it's liberating to live how you want...You can feel that on a different level" #QueerJoy #Visibility #Community