The City of Austin is nationally recognized for being a great place to live because of its robust job market and awesome quality of life. Austin also receives high marks for its diversity and inclusiveness towards the LGBTQ community.
According to a recent Gallup poll, Austin has the third-largest percentage of LGBTQ residents in the country. A 2019 report by Yelp, ranked Austin No. 5 out of the most inclusive cities in the United States.
Austin is one of the friendliest cities in America for lesbian, gay, and transgendered people, according to a report from personal finance website NerdWallet. The report, which ranked Austin as the seventh most LGBT-friendly city in the nation.
In other cities, the distinctive rainbow flags have been placed in gay and lesbian neighborhoods. Austin, however, doesn’t have a true “gayborhood,” defined as a district with a high density of LGBTQ residents, businesses, and street life. However, the Warehouse District in Downtown Austin, especially along the stretch of West Fourth named for late activist Bettie Naylor, has been home to gay bars and eateries for at least 30 years.
Austinites enjoy a low cost of living, low taxes, great entertainment, fun festivals, a solid economy, and quality healthcare. Combine that with a large LGBTQ community, Austin consistently ranks high for the Best Cities for LGBTQ retirees.
Darian Rausch and Rich Patterson, Managing “Partners” of Urban to Suburban Realty are proud members of the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.
Austin LGBTQ Organizations
As an inclusive city for all, Austin nonprofits work hard to empower, protect, and ensure the rights of our LGBTQ citizens. It’s not surprising that the city ranks among the top LGBTQ-friendly destinations in the U.S., boasting a vibrant queer community and allied advocates.
Out Youth
Out Youth serves the Central Texas LGBTQ+ (lesbian/gay/bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) youth and their allies with programs and services to ensure these promising young people develop in to happy, healthy, successful adults
PFLAG Austin
Locations vary
PFLAG Austin provides peer support to people who need answers to their questions and help with strengthening family and life relationships.” These LGBTQiA+ free support group meetings happen at five locations around Austin and surrounding areas (Buda, Central Austin, South Austin, Cedar Park, and Georgetown).
allgo
701 Tillery St. Box 4
Allgo celebrates and nurtures our vibrant queer people of color communities here in Texas and beyond through our cultural arts, wellness, and social justice programming. We support artists and artistic expression; promote health and wellness; and mobilize our community to make change. We work deeply and intentionally with our partners and allies to challenge marginalization and oppression in all their forms, and to build a just and equitable society.
The Kind Clinic
Multiple Locations
The Kind Clinic is a full service sexual health and wellness clinic. A program of Texas Health Action, the Kind Clinic provides sexual health services including PrEP and PEP access, STI testing and treatment, HIV testing, and gender affirming care to Central Texans in need. The Kind Clinic strives to provide sexual health services to all members of the LGBTQ community and allies, regardless of race, creed, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
600 Congress
Formerly AGLCC, we are Central Texas’ home for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supportive businesses and organizations. The Chamber is the best resource for places to shop, things to do, arts and entertainment, organizations to support, and all manner of queer-friendly businesses.
Waterloo Counseling Center
314 E Highland Mall Blvd Suite 301
Waterloo Counseling Center is a nonprofit agency that provides affordable, high quality mental health counseling and therapy services to individuals, couples and families in Austin, TX. We welcome the entire Greater Austin community, and have specific expertise in serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community; Spanish speakers; and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Lesbian & Gay Peace Officers Association
No Physical Location
The Austin Lesbian & Gay Peace Officers Association (LGPOA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports LGBTQ+ sworn, civilian, and retired employees of the Austin Police Department by providing a voice for equality. We strive to serve as role models and to strengthen relationships between the police department and Austin’s vibrant LGBTQ+ communities.
Project Transitions
No Physical Location
Project Transitions serves people with HIV/AIDS by providing supportive living, housing, and hospice in compassionate and caring environments.
Stonewall Democrats of Austin
No Physical Location
Stonewall Democrats of Austin (SDA) is a group of LGBTQ and Allies. We participate in political activities that create a strong and effective voice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities in local and state policy decisions.
Austin Gay & Lesbian Senior Services
1700 Rutherford Lane
Family Eldercare is here for you and for those you love! For 35 years, Family Eldercare has taken pride in ensuring that ALL seniors and adults with disabilities, along with their families, are cared for. As experts in aging, Family Eldercare can provide additional resources for individuals and families in the LGBTQ+ community. Established in 2012, AGLSS has provided aging services and resources for our LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that no one has to age alone. Through the support and foundation of the Bettie Naylor fund, these services are extended to the economically challenged as well. AGLSS, incorporated throughout our entire mission, is here to help you find the best care solution for your family, including benefits and insurance processing.
Equality Texas
507 West 15th Street
Equality Texas advocates and lobbies for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Equality Texas Foundation educates and engages the public about policies and their effect on Texas of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation
The mission of the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation is to educate, resource, and connect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community in Austin, Texas. Formed in 2010, the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation (AGLPF) is the 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to managing and organizing Austin’s annual PRIDE Celebration and Stonewall Rally.
Octopus Club
The Octopus Club is a grassroots, volunteer fundraising arm of AIDS Services of Austin dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Paul Kirby Emergency Fund through annual events and parties. The Paul Kirby Emergency Fund provides emergency financial assistance to those living with HIV and AIDS in Central Texas. These funds are distributed to individuals for basic living needs through AIDS Services of Austin on a case-by-case basis.
Popular Austin LGBTQ Nightclubs
Downtown Austin has many LGBT friendly bars, but there are a few nightclubs that are hotspots for the community.
Rain
217 W 4th Street
Oil Can Harry’s
211 W. 4th Street
The Iron Bear
301 W. 6th Street
Highland Lounge
404 Colorado Street