Pride of Dripping Springs

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day. 💛

If the world feels loud right now, you’re not imagining it. And if you’re tired, that makes sense too.

So here’s your permission slip: rest. Turn off the news for an afternoon. Sit outside. Text the friend who gets it. Do one small thing that feels like coming home to yourself.

You don’t have to fix everything today. You just have to take care of you.

If you’re struggling and want someone to talk to, help is close to home. In Hays County, call Hill Country MHDD Centers at 877-466-0660. In Travis County, call Integral Care at 512-472-4357. Both are available 24/7, and 988 is always a call or text away. 🌈

10/09/2026

Yikes. 😳🎃

Happy Friday, friends. 😂🌈

10/08/2026

Just west of Austin, on the limestone shores of Lake Travis, there's a little cove with a big q***r history.

In the late 1960s, folks from a gay commune in Austin started swimming at night off Windy Point to escape the Texas heat. Word spread. Neighbors complained. The sheriff reportedly said he had better things to do than chase naked hippies around the lake, and the name stuck: Hippie Hollow.

For years, one side of the cove was quietly known as the gay side. In October 1985, it officially became Hippie Hollow Park, the only clothing-optional public park in Texas. It's still a gathering place for the community today.

Q***r history didn't only happen in big cities. Sometimes it happened at the lake down the road. 💛

📸 Lakeland1999 and Infrogmation of New Orleans, via Wikimedia Commons

10/08/2026

Our October newsletter is out! 🌈

Q***r people have always lived here. This month we're celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month right here at home, in the Hill Country, where it's always been.

Inside: our flag football field trip on October 17, early voting dates, a Banned Books Week reading list, Out Youth as our resource spotlight, and a sit-down with Nikki of Feral Housewife W**e about Texas w**e, frosé, and what's coming this fall. 🍷

Pour something cozy and give it a read. 💛

Pour Decisions at Feral Housewife W**e. Our community sang loud, laughed louder, and made some excellent pour decisions. Meet the woman behind the w**e, Nikki, in this month's spotlight below. 🍷Q***r people have always lived here.In Dripping Springs. In the Hill Country. In the small towns, cedar...

10/07/2026

Spooky season reminder. 🧙‍♀️🌙

Some of us read the fairy tales and rooted for the witch. Some of us grew up to be her.

Familiars. Herbs. Strong opinions. And absolutely no interest in being controlled.

Happy Witchy Wednesday. 🖤🌈

10/07/2026

It's Banned Books Week, and it hits different in Texas this year. 📚🌈

Nearly 2,200 books are being pushed for removal from Texas school libraries, including The Color Purple, The Kite Runner, Speak, and LGBTQ+ titles like Gender Q***r, Flamer, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

If a banned or challenged book ever helped you feel less alone, you know why they matter.

This week, read one. Lend one to a friend. Learn what's on the list. And if you feel called to speak up, reach out to your state representatives at wrm.capitol.texas.gov.

📚 Our banned book list: https://www.prideofdrippingsprings.org/pods-reads
📰 The full Texas list via KHOU 11: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/full-list-books-dan-patrick-school-libraries/285-dccb696d-e6d8-4a6b-88e1-c1e06e4c800a

What's a banned or challenged book that meant something to you? 💛

10/06/2026

Meet our friends at the Austin Gay Flag Football League! 🏈🌈

ATXGFL started in 2018 to give the LGBTQIA+ community a safe space to play flag football. It's gender-inclusive, a little competitive, and big on the friendships that happen off the field too. Their travel team, ATX Heat, represents Austin's q***r community at tournaments across the country.

On Saturday, October 17, we're heading out to cheer them on. No football knowledge required. Bring a camp chair, a drink, and your best sideline energy. You're welcome to just sit and soak up the sunshine too.

🕘 9 to 11:30am
📍 4107 Nixon Ln, Austin
🚗 Carpool leaves Belterra Village at 8am

RSVP at PrideOfDrippingSprings.org/events.

10/05/2026

Friendly reminder: today is the last day to register to vote in Texas. 🌈

If you’ve been meaning to check, VoteTexas.gov makes it quick and easy to register or check your registration.

Two minutes. One less thing to wonder about. 💛

10/04/2026

Happy World Animal Day! Fun fact for your Sunday: q***r love is all over the animal kingdom. 🌈🐧

Scientists have documented same-s*x pairing and bonding in more than 450 species.

Penguins pair up. Albatrosses raise chicks together. Black swans co-parent. Dolphins form same s*x bonds that last for years. Rams fall in love with other rams. And some butterflies are born with male and female traits.

Nature is wonderfully, gloriously q***r. 🦋🐏🐬

Apparently, the animal kingdom got the memo a long time ago. 😂🌈

10/03/2026

Quick weekend check-in. 🗳️🌈

Monday, October 5 is the last day to register to vote in Texas for the November 3 election.

Our community is made up of people who live here, work here, raise families here, run businesses here, and call the Hill Country home. Elections shape the communities we share, so making sure your voice can be part of that process matters.

Already registered? Take two minutes to make sure your information is current, especially if you've moved or changed your name.

Not sure where to start? That's okay. You can check your registration or find registration information at VoteTexas.gov.

Check your registration. Get registered. Remind a friend.

Every voice in our community counts 🌈