Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce at SXSW
For years, the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce has proudly partnered with SXSW, creating safe, inclusive spaces where the LGBTQ+ community can connect, celebrate, and thrive. From hosting signature events like the Big Queer Kickoff Party to amplifying queer voices in business, tech, and the arts, we are dedicated to ensuring that Austin feels like home for our out-of-town guests. No matter where you’re from, you are welcome, valued, and safe here. 🌈✨
SXSW 2026 Events
13th Annual Big Queer Kickoff Party at Rain on 4th!
WITH RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE WINNER BEBE ZAHARA BENET!
Join us at Rain on 4th for a night of high-energy vibes, live entertainment, and an electric atmosphere as we kick off SXSW the Big Queer way. 💃🕺✨
Join the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce for our 13th Annual Official SXSW Big Queer Kickoff Party on Friday, March 13! 🌈✨
For years, the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce has proudly partnered with SXSW to create safe, inclusive spaces where the LGBTQ+ community can connect, celebrate, and thrive. From signature events like the Big Queer Kickoff Party to amplifying queer voices across business, tech, and the arts, we are committed to making Austin feel like home for our out-of-town guests.
No matter where you’re from — you are welcome, valued, and safe here.
What began as an informal gathering of the queer community during SXSW has grown into THE official kickoff party where locals, visitors, artists, founders, and creatives come together to celebrate the vibrancy of Queer Austin and SXSW.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE BIG QUEER KICKOFF PARTY COMES FROM
Tacos & Tiaras Drag Lunch on SUNDAY, MARCH 15th @ Hotel Indigo’s Urban Pour Social
Tacos & Tiaras Drag Lunch brings bold Pride energy to SXSW with a vibrant midday celebration of drag, film, food, and community.
Join the Austin LGBT Chamber, aGLIFF, and community partners for an unforgettable performance starring RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Bebe Zahara Benet, hosted by Austin drag icon Nadine Hughes and featuring additional local performers. Expect high glamour, big personality, and plenty of sparkle.
LGBT Chamber Official SXSW Queer Perspective Chats on Monday, March 16th at Hotel Indigo’s Urban Pour Social
The Queer Economy in Focus: Resilience, Leadership, and Opportunity in a Changing Climate
11AM - NOON (CST)
Join the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) for a conversation on the Queer Economy. In this one-on-one discussion, NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson explores insights from the organization’s latest LGBTQ+ Economic Report, highlighting the resilience, innovation, and economic impact of LGBTQ+ and allied entrepreneurs. The conversation will examine emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of inclusive business and the growing power of the Queer Economy.
(Free breakfast tacos and coffee while supplies last beginning at 10:30 AM. Conversation begins at 11:00 AM.)
Funding, Power, and the Future of Queer Storytelling
3PM - 4PM (CST)
As Queer visibility grows, funding and distribution for Queer stories remain limited, especially for intersectional voices. This candid, solutions-focused discussion explores where money for LGBTQIA2S+ film and TV projects actually comes from, who controls decision-making, and why certain narratives move forward while others stall. Industry leaders discuss independent funding pathways, power dynamics, sustainable business models, and practical strategies to build equitable systems so Queer stories can thrive at scale.
New Guest speakers added! Stick around after the discussion for light bites, Texas Spirits, and networking.
In town for SXSW and looking for local LGBTQ+ and allied businesses to support?
Established in 1997, we are Central Texas’ home for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses and organizations. We work to create and support a vibrant and prosperous regional economy strengthened through the full participation of diverse local communities. We represent hundreds of small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting equality and diversity in the workplace.
If you are looking to support LGBTQ+ and allied businesses, our directory has you covered!
- Restaurants, Food & Beverages
- Arts, Culture, Entertainment
- LGBTBE certified businesses
- Lodging & Travel
- Shopping & Specialty Retail
- & so much more!
SXSW 2026 Badge Discounts
In a bold move to create a more integrated and dynamic experience, and in the absence of the Austin Convention Center, SXSW 2026 is reimagined as a seven-day, city-wide event where the Conference, Film & TV Festival, and Music Festival will run concurrently for the first time in decades from March 12-18th.
SXSW EDU, a four-day experience from March 9–12, 2026, continues to foster learning and discovery for all education stakeholders. For the first time ever, all four SXSW events will be active on Thursday, March 12th for Crossover Day, offering attendees an exclusive opportunity to connect with professionals across industries, collaborate on innovative ideas, and sample programming from diverse sectors.
This exciting change is accompanied by a host of new features designed to bring our community closer together:
- Themed Neighborhoods: As the Austin Convention Center undergoes redevelopment, the festival will expand into new “industry-specific hubs” or “themed neighborhoods” throughout downtown Austin, creating immersive worlds for film, music, and tech lovers.
- Expanded Music Festival: Music fans can rejoice with an extra night of shows, as the Music Festival showcases will now run for seven consecutive nights.
- Lowered Badge Prices: To make the event more accessible than ever, we’ve lowered badge prices from the 2025 rates.
In partnership with SXSW, the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is excited to offer a 15% discount across all badge types to members.
Log into your Member Portal and choose “Member Exclusive Deals” on the left navigation bar.
Previous Austin LGBT Chamber Official SXSW Events
SXSW 2025
- 12th Annual Big Queer Kickoff Party - The Ultimate Queer Kickoff to SXSW at Rain on 4th! Featuring a Rain on 4th DJ Showcase and performances by Vylette Ward & Maeve Haven.
- A Discussion on the Power of Queer Storytelling - Stories have the power to shape culture, shift perspectives, and spark change. Queer storytelling goes beyond representation—it amplifies voices, preserves history, and creates space for authenticity in a world that often tries to rewrite, erase, or neglect our narratives. For many LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially those who are also living with disabilities, storytelling becomes an essential tool for visibility, advocacy, and belonging. Panelists included: Fiona Dawson (Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce), Nathan Manske (I'm From Driftwood), Tamar Price (Digital Executive Producer), Dr. Brian A. Cheslik (Deaf Austin Theatre), & Sav Rodgers (Transgender Film Center). ASL Interpretation was proved by dozanü innovations.
SXSW 2024
11th Annual Big Queer Kickoff Party at Rain on 4th!
Once an unofficial gathering during SXSW of the queer community, and now THE official party where everyone gathers to celebrate the QUEER culture of Austin and SXSW. In 2024, we partnered with HRC of Texas!
Discussion: We're (SO) Over the Rainbow
After headline-grabbing fallout from Pride month initiatives at major companies in 2023, many brands rolled back their LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts in an attempt to avoid pushback. However, some used the opportunity to reevaluate and ensure their efforts were comprehensive and meaningful. Hear an in-depth case study on how an organization conducted a transformative audit, leveraged frameworks and implemented best practices to craft a long-term LGBTQ+ inclusion strategy and a results-driven action plan to meet its business goals and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Discussion speakers:
- Deirdre Walsh CEO IGC
- Jackie Padgett CMO IGC Institute Exec Dir
- Juan Suarez, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Southwest Airlines
- Moderator: Fiona Dawson (Free Lion Productions), Emmy®-nominated and award-winning filmmaker
Takeaways include learning how to:
- Evaluate your organization’s authenticity, readiness, risks and opportunities
- Align product, social impact, DEIB, public policy, ERG and marketing efforts
- Identify unique opportunities for your brand to make a meaningful impact without “rainbow washing”
SXSW 2023
10th Annual Big Queer Kickoff Party at Rain on 4th!
Once an unofficial gathering during SXSW of the queer community, and now THE official party where everyone gathers to celebrate the QUEER culture of Austin and SXSW. In 2023, we were joined by DJ Cazwell.
Discussions
- The Business of Drag
- Queer Representation in Film
- Advocacy Through Art