LGBTQ culture in Austin, Texas

[1] LGBT activism groups Atticus Circle and Equality Texas are headquartered in Austin.

[2] In 1970, Austin also became home to a chapter of the Gay Liberation Front, and local newspapers such as The Rag began supporting the movement.

In response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic which began in Austin in 1983,[3] the pride marches to the capitol building expanded in attendance to about 25,000 people.

[2] On February 19, 2015, the first gay marriage in Texas occurred between an Austin couple, Sarah Goodfriend and Suzanne Bryant.

[4] Soon after the HIV/AIDS epidemic hit Austin in the summer of 1983, Paul Clover founded the Waterloo Counseling Center[5] in order to serve the LGBTQ+ community with queer-positive, affordable mental health services.

These bars include Oilcan Harry's, Highland Lounge, Rain on 4th, The Iron Bear, and Cheer Up Charlie's, which has repeatedly won "Best LGBTQ Nightclub" in Austin.

[11] Queerbomb is a free, all-ages, anti-corporate sponsorship event that is held annually in June.

Queerbomb was created as an alternative to the Pride Festival which charges for admission and for organizations to have outreach tables, and enforces a dress-code.