Back to School With Queer Austinites

Queer Austin artists and icons give their two cents on surviving ATX

In this week’s Back to School issue of the Chronicle, several Austin queer icons shared their advice in print on how to adjust to this ol’ city. To be honest, there just wasn’t enough space to print their entire awesome and thoughtful answers on paper.

But I loved the responses from the people I queried! Austin is a place that inspires strong emotions, both good and bad, so hearing fellow qmmunity members speak on their experiences for new students coming into the city was inspiring. Everyone had stellar advice that even longtime Austinites would be smart to follow. Enjoy the full interviews, and make sure to check out these folks in their ATX endeavors. See y’all around, queerdos!

KB Brookins

Austin Chronicle: What is the most important advice about Austin that you'd give to a queer college student who's new to the city?

KB Brookins: First of all, welcome to the city, and congrats on choosing Austin, one of the queerest cities in the US, as your college town. Because of the aforementioned fact, and because there are many organizers working everyday to make Austin a city where all queer & trans folks can thrive, you are NEVER alone in your experience. We are here for you, so please seek us queer Austinites out!

AC: What brought you personally to Austin, and what has made you stay?

KB: I came here literally running away from my hometown and previous college town, wanting to get out of a creative and personal rut. I've stayed here because I discovered myself here, and found a community of amazing queer & trans folks that I now call family. Because of the nice folks at venues and organizing circles, I've also been able to make strides in my writing career and advocate for causes near and dear to my heart. Though Austin can and should be better, it is the only city that has ever felt like home. Yes, I found home in other people so I've stayed here for 4 years.

AC: What are the two places that any new LGBTQ+ Austinite must go to, in your opinion?

KB: Whittling this down to two feels impossible, ha, but it depends on what you're into. For the club types, Cheer Up Charlies, an inclusive queer bar; for the reading types, there's Bookwoman, the oldest, queerest, feminist bookstore in TX, and The Little Gay Shop, which also has markets & things. For outdoorsy queers, it's Barton Springs; nothing beats a cold swim on a hot day (Austin has lots of them). You also HAVE to go to at least one Embrace Austin, Future Front, and/or Frida Friday event. Last, errybody should get their HIV/STI testing & HRT at Ashwell or Kind Clinic. So, I cheated, but those are my recs!

Hermajestie the Hung

Photo by Jonny Underwood

AC: What is the most important advice about Austin that you'd give to a queer college student who's new to the city?

Hermajestie the Hung: As the United States’ fastest growing city, Austin is currently undergoing a swift and dramatic cultural shift. For decades, Austin has been regarded as an oasis of radical self-expression, artistic liberty and progressive ideology located smack down in the middle of one of the country’s most relentlessly conservative states. With its magnitude of corporate interests and community neglect, this city, once celebrated for nourishing and generating some of the world’s most creative and influential minds is in danger of being gentrified and homogenized. It’s imperative that the young Queer people choosing to relocate to Austin, from elsewhere, are cognizant of the potential erosion of [what] I consider to be “The Heart of Texas.” So long as Austin Queers remain aware of the incessant threats, we can effectively prevent the loss of this southern safe haven by radically and intentionally creating and supporting safe spaces for Queer existence.

AC: What brought you personally to Austin, and what has made you stay?

HH: Although various social issues have always been prevalent in Austin (such as the city’s persistent racial segregation and the over-policing of Black and Brown communities) I was drawn to Austin for its stark and unapologetic contrast from rural Texas, where I was born and raised. I came to Austin seeking Freedom, Refuge and Purpose. I’ve received all of that and so much more.

AC: What are the two places that any new LGBTQ+ Austinite must go to, in your opinion?

HH: A few places where any and every new Queer Austinite must venture: Vanguard: The Drag Revolution every Tuesday night at Swan Dive (9PM). This is Austin’s premier Queer cultural phenomenon. A whimsical, glamorous, terrifying and erotic showcase of local Queer talent followed by Queeraoke and the capital city’s hottest Queer dance party, Tuezgayz. ALSO, GO OUTSIDE! Barton Springs Pool is fucking magical however there are rules, rates and sometimes crowds. So, if you’re seeking a more adventurous and less crowded experience, I encourage every Austinite to explore the incredible beauty of Austin’s water-side nature trails also known as “The Greenbelt”. Two of my favorite spots are: Bull Creek and and Twin Falls.

Jon-Erik Garcia aka The Glitoris

Photo by Dave Creaney

AC: What is the most important advice about Austin that you'd give to a queer college student who's new to the city?

Jon-Erik Garcia: Austin is a multi-faceted vibrant young city to experience. Take your time finding your school groove then begin to experience the city at your own pace. You don't have to experience everything all at once. Start with campus activities and programs, then expand to neighborhood and city activities. Follow your interests and invest some time into them, you'll find people who share similar interests and begin to build your chosen family. Be sure to surround yourself with like-minded individuals and set up a support system for them and for yourself. We are all here together & it's important to facilitate community by being a part of it.

AC: What brought you personally to Austin, and what has made you stay?

JG: Business school at UT brought me to Austin, I didn't even visit the college or the area before I moved here. Austin's reputation precedes itself. I knew the political environment was an oasis in such a red state. Legislation happens here and I got involved with political movements that affected my queer community. Marching for marginalized populations attracted me to the city. I've stayed because of that, Austin feels like the epicenter between small town living and urban development.

AC: What are the two places that any new LGBTQ+ Austinite must go to, in your opinion?

JG: For decompression Lake Travis! There are many city and state parks you can visit for day passes. Hippie Hollow is a great spot to feel comfortable and cozy in your skin. It is the only legally recognized clothing-optional public park in the State of Texas! For cram sessions and homework I'd go to Mozart's on Lake Austin or Bouldin Creek Cafe. Both are great spots for people watching, group projects and queer qtz.

Lavender Thug

AC: What is the most important advice about Austin that you'd give to a queer college student who's new to the city?

Lavender Thug: Don’t be shy! Theres a lot of stuff going on everywhere in person and online, and in a place like Austin it’s easy to find not only queer friends and Allies but a place to celebrate being queer! And of course do your homework!!

AC: What brought you personally to Austin, and what has made you stay?

LT: The queer drag/music scene brought me to Austin, but the people made me stay for SURE. Everyone here is so nice and supportive of each other. Everyone also holds each other accountable which is needed but, also nice.

AC: What are the two places that any new LGBTQ+ Austinite must go to, in your opinion?

LT: 4th street is of course a [staple] and everyone should visit, but for me it has to be Cheer Up Charlie’s! There’s always new exciting events going on no matter what day. My other would have to be Hippie hollow, the swim spots here in Austin are all nice but hippie hollow is SO beautiful and you can be free in all your bare, queer glory!

Aira Juliet

AC: What is the most important advice about Austin that you'd give to a queer college student who's new to the city?

Aira Juliet: Take time to build community. You have nothing to prove to anyone back home or wherever you moved from. Take your time in Austin and live out loud for yourself.

AC: What brought you personally to Austin, and what has made you stay?

AJ: While I’m an OG Houston Hottie and love the diverse scene out there, the vibrant creatives and artists brought me to Austin. There is always something new going on and something new to learn about out here. Being able to find my black + queer community has truly helped me feel like I finally belong somewhere.

AC: What are the two places that any new LGBTQ+ Austinite must go to, in your opinion?

AJ: 1) Vanguard the drag revolution hosted @ Swan Dive 2) the little gay shop and/or queer trivia hosted by me with The Little Gay Shop @ Wanderlust Wine co

Erica Nix

AC: What is the most important advice about Austin that you'd give to a queer college student who's new to the city?

Erica Nix: Just get in there! Find your chosen family! I probably didn't have much queer community until after college. I went to Saint Edwards (which was really small at the time) and I could only find a few weirdos. Thankfully, I decided to live at some of the small ICC Co-ops near UT. That's where I found all the weirdos and activists and artists of my dreams. At first, I found the queer community to be a little intimidating, plus I have straight passing privilege. I think that made it a little hard for me to "get in there," but I found this Queer Talent show hosted at Bouldin Creek Coffee House. I just went to every single one until I could get some cutie to date me. For some reason, it felt like no one could see me before that. I have no idea if that's true or not. What I do know is that everyone feels intimidated approaching a new community especially if they REALLY WANT to be accepted by them. So just be yourself, show up, and try to not be too hurtful or drunk all the time. (:

AC: What brought you personally to Austin, and what has made you stay?

EN: I came to Austin for college! I fell in love with this city and the queerdos and weirdos. I was the generation that had Gaybigaygay and Camp Camp and A LOT of queer performance community. Some of the founders of that community have moved away, but many of the connections they created are still here. I hope I can stay here forever. As a young Austinite, I could have a bad day, and make it better by jumping on my bike and finding friends all over the city hanging out or at their coffee shop job etc. Now I'm more likely to have to jump on Mopak, but I still have most of my chosen family here.

AC: What are the two places that any new LGBTQ+ Austinite must go to, in your opinion?

EN: Barton Springs is a MUST for everyone. I love catching a Queer Swim, but Barton really is swimming with EVERYONE all the time including us Queers. Literally swimming. CheerUp Charlies is a MUST. Swan Dive Tuesgayz Vanguard. … It's really hard to narrow this down. I mean Poo Poo Platter is such a unique Drag Troop. Also I'm old … so probably Tuesgays at Barbarella is a must if you are under 30? Is it still? I think it is.

Caleb De Casper

AC: What is the most important advice about Austin that you'd give to a queer college student who's new to the city?

Caleb De Casper: A stranger once told me on a car ride home that if you're going to move here, you need to be a creator and not just benefit from the creators that make this city so great. That doesn't mean you have to be an artist-- you can create anything from paintings and music to social change and community spaces.

AC: What brought you personally to Austin, and what has made you stay?

CDC: I played a show with a band from ATX where I was living at the time and left immediately when they offered me a place to crash once they got back from tour. I have stayed because my creative energy and my queerness is so highly respected by my community. There is magic here that can transform your whole life if you give into it.

AC: What are the two places that any new LGBTQ+ Austinite must go to, in your opinion?

CDC: Cheerup Charlies, where I was given an artist residency as a fresh face in this city after just moving here and you're likely to meet just about anyone. Anywhere – queers own our space and our identity here. No matter where you're from: be yourself, support your friends, and don't be afraid to hold your partner's hand

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KEYWORDS FOR THIS POST

LGBTQ, Back to School, Back to School Issue, KB Brookins, Hermajestie the Hung, The Glitoris, Lavender Thug, Aria Juliet, Erica Nix, Caleb De Casper, Back to School 2022

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