By Meher Qazilbash

June is Pride Month, a time dedicated to honoring the history of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as the progress that has been made. Austin holds its official city-wide celebration of Pride in August, however Pride festivities are still being held around town this June to cheer on love and freedom of expression. Read on for more information on our favorite gatherings this month.

Yelp’s Drag Brunch

Yelp is showing love to the LGBTQIA+ community with a number of Pride initiatives, including hosting drag brunches at select locations of Snooze, an A.M. Eatery throughout Texas. Yelp is further supporting the queer community by donating $1 to The Trevor Project for every party booked via Yelp Waitlist at any Snooze location in Texas during the month of June, with a minimum total contribution of $50,000.

Yelp will host Austin’s brunch event at the Eastside’s Snooze location from 2 to 4 p.m. July 11, offering brunch favorites like mimosas and eggs benedict along with entertainment from local drag company Illusions. To attend, join the Yelp Waitlist and book a table via the Yelp app.

UMLAUF After Dark

UMLAUF After Dark is a bi-monthly event that gives the public a chance to mingle with artists and musicians. They’re mixing things up this month with a Pride Night on Tuesday, June 7. This special evening will include a performance from queer artist Caleb De Casper and a pop-up from The Little Gay Shop. Adults can wander around the sculpture-studded garden and enjoy beer from Austin Beerworks, cocktails from Tito’s and the company of fellow Austinites.

Rainbow on the Creek

UPDATE: In order to combat Austin’s extreme temps and to make this year’s pride celebration more enjoyable for guests and staff, Waterloo Greenway has adjusted the Rainbow on the Creek event schedule. The event will now begin at 10 a.m.

Waterloo Greenway is once again presenting their annual Pride celebration, Rainbow on the Creek, this Saturday, June 11. The family-friendly gathering will feature fun cultural activities and programming dedicated to uplifting the queer community. Some standouts from the schedule include activations from over 25 local LGBTQIA+ non-profit organizations and small businesses, gender-affirming care, sexual health testing, a craft market highlighting queer and people of color artisans, drag queen storytime, an educational panel and performances from stars like Gina Chavez, Roxxxy Andrews and more. To learn more and see the schedule, visit their website.

Y’all Means All Cup

Sports lovers can gather for the inaugural Y’all Means All Cup on Sunday, June 12. This Austin FC 7 vs. 7 round robin soccer tournament will take place at The Crossover in Leander, benefitting a local LGBTQIA+ advocacy non-profit as part of Austin FC’s Pride Month initiatives. The chosen non-profit will be determined in collaboration with the winning team. Check out Austin FC’s other plans to unify our city and uplift the queer community here.

Pride Month Pop-Up Market

Non-profit arts organization Contracommon and The Little Gay Shop are hosting a Pride Month Pop-Up Market on Saturday, June 18. Visit the Contracommon’s location at Hill Country Galleria to peruse through a curated array of artisan goods highlighting work produced by queer and POC artists. From 3 to 6 p.m., you’re invited to shop the stunning works, mingle in an inclusive environment and catch the closing reception of Molly Sydnor’s exceptional solo exhibition at Contracommon, “HYSTERIA.”

Austin Motel’s Prom for All

Austin Motel’s prom for all, titled “Under the Neon Rainbow,” invites guests to challenge their preconceptions surrounding the age-old school dance tradition and fearlessly be themselves. Taking place on the evening of Saturday, June 18, visitors are invited to dance, munch on hot dogs, drink spiked punch, take iconic photos and finish the night with a plunge in the pool. Whoever takes the Prom Star crown will be rewarded a membership to the Austin Motel Swim Club. Tickets to the prom can be reserved here.

Pride in Local Music Festival

A live music fete is an essential part of any tradition in Austin, making the Pride in Local Music Festival the ideal way to close out Pride Month. The third annual outdoor music festival is taking place on Saturday, June 25 at The Long Center. Thrown by the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Pride in Local Music showcases a lineup of LGBTQIA+ artists from Austin and beyond. Look forward to performances from Bebe Zahara Benet, Brian Justin Crum, Caleb De Casper, Pelvis Wrestley, TJE Austin and more. Tickets are on sale now, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Education Fund.