SAT. JUNE 1, 2002

If you’re not gay yet, this might be a good weekend to give it a try. Saturday and Sunday men and women from all across the Lone Star State will be converging on Austin celebrate Texas Pride weekend. If you want to kick things off a little earlier, you can start with the Dyke March, which will make its way from the Capitol steps to the Empanada Parlour Thursday night. For $5 you can hang out and enjoy the afterparty. Don’t take off your shoes just yet however, Saturday is the Texas pride Parade where possibly thousands of light loafers, comfortable shoes, and army boots will be padding down Congress Avenue in support of pink power. After a rousing rally on the capitol steps, you can kick up your heels at the Womens’ Dance at Fiesta Garden which runs from 7-12pm. A $10 donation gets you in the door. Maybe you’ll get lucky and meet someone to take to the Texas Pride Brunch the next morning. The brunch starts at 11am and for $25 you can nosh and hobnob with local and state political candidates. Or, you may just want to skip the brunch and go straight to the Texas Pride Festival where for $5 you can enjoy an all day smorgasbord of Austin talent emceed by former Big Boy Randy “Biscuit” Turner and Heather Gold. Some of the scheduled acts include the Sexy Finger Champs, Adult Rodeo, Susan Gibson, Austin Babtist Women, Sarah Hickman, and Patrice Pike. Augmenting the live music will be DJs Dig’m, Sue Johnson, and maybe even Filthy Rich as well as a drag show featuring James Perry (Miss Gay San Antonio), Paris Chanel, and Kelly Kline. With a lineup like that, you’re bound to be entertained regardless of your orientation, wouldn’t you say?