Community care is…

Mutual Aid ~ Intergenerational Care ~ Health Services ~ Harm Reduction ~ Protest ~ Queer Space

Community care has always been a lifeline for queer people.

Whether it’s sharing resources, fighting inequities, or creating gay sanctuaries in the bedroom, bathhouse, and bar, we’re proud of queer people who look out for one another. This exhibit is a celebration of queer community care past and present. We’re here to make connections, sprinkle in some history and wrap you in warm, juicy queer space. What’s that? You’re into us? Well, it’s mutual babe!

How it works

Outside Follow the arrows around the exhibit to learn more about the history and ongoing efforts of queer community care in Austin and beyond. Throughout the exhibit, you can find QR codes that’ll point you to our online guide for extra spicy supplementary content. You’ll also find ways you can directly engage in current community care efforts!

Inside Groups of up to 8 at a time will be allowed inside the storage container for an immersive experience. Groups will experience a queer lakefront, a queer club, and a queer march. Please be patient and courteous to other groups and return all props to the attendant. MASKS ARE REQUIRED INSIDE THE IMMERSIVE SPACE.

Content Note: Many of the examples of queer community care arise from systemic violences against queer people, particularly trans*, poor, neurodivergent, disabled, indigenous, immigrant, Black and other non-white queer people. Content in this exhibit references these violences and their impacts. The immersive space features flashing lights, moving images, loud noises and music, and brief nudity.

This exhibit would not have been possible without the time and generosity of

The Kind Clinic ~ The Little Gay Shop ~ Oatly ~ Black Trans Leadership of Austin ~ The Austin History Center ~ Kelly Hanus ~ Jana Birchum ~ Michael Waters ~ John Moore ~ Queerbomb ~ PJ Raval ~ Texas Harm Reduction Coalition ~ p1nkstar ~ Y2K