Nightlife
gAyTX Nights: COVID-19
We’ve curated a list of those whose livelihood has been directly affected by COVID-19 as well has crowdfunding campaigns that are helping the staff at affected businesses.

Published
10 months agoon

Between the cancellation of SXSW and the city closing Austin’s bars and restaurant dining rooms, the city’s entertainment community took a huge hit leaving many service industry workers and entertainers out of cash and out of work. Austin LGBTQ+ nightlife scene wasn’t spared. With Austin’s handful of queer bars shuttered until May 1 to help slow the spread of COVID-19, bartenders aren’t pouring, musicians aren’t performing, gogo dancers aren’t twerking, drag queens aren’t slaying and an entire web of workers and entertainers that depended on the nightlife scene are suddenly without work.
Meanwhile, we’re being asked to socially distance ourselves from our community to help flatten the curve for the coronavirus, but that hasn’t stopped the community from finding creative with ways to connect virtually. Several drag performers and musicians have started streaming their performances on social media. This past Friday, the cast of Oilcan Harry’s Crave drag show hosted a virtual drag show to help raise money for a crowdfunding campaign for the staff at Oilcan’s who are out of work while the bar remains closed. Austin singer-songwriters Lisa Marshall and Gina Chavez both hosted virtual concerts this weekend.
Some of those affected had other sources of incomes to fall back on — day jobs, second jobs, side hustles — but unfortunately most weren’t so lucky. For those who are looking to help out directly, we’ve curated a list of those individuals within our community whose livelihood has been directly affected by COVID-19 as well has crowdfunding campaigns that are helping the staff at affected businesses.
If you’d like to be added to the list, email chase@therepubliq.com with your details, including: your name, where you work (or what you do if you’re a freelancer), CashApp username, PayPal email or PayPalMe URL, or Venmo username.
Updated March 24, 2020 00:45
BAR STAFF
BT2
GoFundMe Campaign for BT2 staff – https://www.gofundme.com/f/bt2-staff-help
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Asher Taylor | $AsherTaylor92 | @Asher-Taylor | |
David Balli (DJ Kavika) | $djkavika | djkavika@gmail.com | @djkavika |
Dino | @Dinojustdino | ||
Justin Davis | @Justin-Davis-379 | ||
Lloyd Townsell | paypal.me/lloydazzle | @Lloyd-Townsell | |
Miguel Rosa | @Migzz_429 | ||
Vegas Van Cartier | @VegasVanCartier | ||
Cheer Up Charlie’s
GoFundMe Campaign for Cheer Up Charlie’s staff – https://www.gofundme.com/f/cheer-up-charlies-emergency-staff-fund
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Andi Jackson | @Ashley-jackson-448 | ||
Arturo (Artie) Moreno | yungkwanebooking@gmail.com | @y2kwane | |
Carly Beiler | @Carly-beiler | ||
Chaz Doriocourt | @alfredobluff | ||
Devin Perez | @Devin_victoria | ||
Erica Sipple | @supplesipple | ||
Justin Hampton | @justinjamesh | ||
Kate Holley | @Kate-Holley | ||
Kathee Lozano | @kathee-lozano | ||
Lais Carvalho | hereislais@gmail.com | ||
Lars Russell | @beatvalley | ||
Luis Escajeda | @Luis-Escajeda | ||
Max Beiler | @maxbfly | ||
Miranda (Randi) Welch | @manda047 | ||
Quyen Nguyen | @maihoqueen | ||
Rachel Kirk | @Rachel-Kirk-4 | ||
Trish Connelly | @trconnelly |
Coconut Club
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Benji Patel | @Benjamin-Patel | ||
Brantley Robertson | @Brantley-Robertson | ||
Christina McMahon | @breakfastfetish | ||
Dan Dalton | @dandalt | ||
Joseph Aguirre | @joseph-Aguirre-1 | ||
Sara Mues | @sarahmues27 | ||
Stephen Peterson | @sfrisco | ||
Vertarias Hankins | @TheLilacTrapHouse |
Highland Lounge
GoFundMe Campaign for Highland staff – https://www.gofundme.com/f/404-highland-family
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Chris Skinner | @chrisskinneratx | ||
Diamond Dior | $diamonddioratx | ||
James Boucher | @James-Boucher-4 | ||
Josh Clephas | @Josh-Clephas | ||
Lady Grackle | paypal.me/ladygrackle | @ladygrackle |

The Iron Bear
The Iron Bear is unique among Austin’s gay bars in that since it moved to it’s new location recently, it now has a kitchen and was serving a full menu of food items. The kitchen is open from 12 NOON – 8 PM serving their full menu for TAKE OUT orders only. Check out their menu at www.theironbear.com then call in your order to 512-482-8993.
GoFundMe Campaign for The Iron Bear staff – https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-employees-of-the-iron-bear
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Al Rivera | @Al-Rivera-18 | ||
Alphonso Compian (DJ Alpha) | @alpha_theironbear | ||
Bruce Barfield | @Bruce-Barfield-3 | ||
Charlie Ramirez | @xbrown-boy-bluesx | ||
Dustin Yadon | paypal.me/dustinyayo | ||
Humberto (Mac) Zavala | @Attack29 | ||
Jason Grodzinski | @Jason-Grod | ||
Jeff Linton | Paypal.me/jefflinton | ||
Joshua Amos | @Joshua-Amos-13 | ||
Kyle Kline | @Kyle-Kline | ||
Lexi Cubley | @Lexi-cubley | ||
Michael Delariva | $mikkah09 | PayPal.me/Mikkahchu | |
Mike Horton | @mike-horton-6 | ||
Robert Nicholson | @RobYaBlind | ||
Saul Trevino | @saul-trevino | ||
Steven Williams | @littlestmusclecub |

Oilcan Harry’s
GoFundMe Campaign for Oilcan Harry’s staff – https://www.gofundme.com/f/oilcan-harrys
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Ariz Lagunas (DJ KAHLU) | @Ariz-Lagunas | ||
Daniel Valadéz Márquez | @Daniel-Valadez-4 | ||
Edgar Gierbolini | @Edgar-gierbolini | ||
Eric Contreras (DJ Eriq Stylez) | djeriqstylez@yahoo.com | @eric-contreras-24 | |
Jesse Ojeda | @Jesse-Ojeda-6 | ||
Joey Mojica | @Joey-Mojica-1 | ||
Texas Dela Rosa | @Texas-Rosa |

Rain on 4th
GoFundMe Campaign for Rain on 4th staff – https://www.gofundme.com/f/rain-on-4th-employee-donations
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Andrea Hinojosa | $dreahinojosa8 | ||
Ariz Lagunas (DJ KAHLU) | @Ariz-Lagunas | ||
Bobby Cook | @Bobby-Cook-5 | ||
David Doria | $xDoria | ||
Gabe Welch | @gabeATXwelch | ||
Justin Cantrell | @Justin-Cantrell-2 | ||
Mark Mitchell | @Mark-mitchell-35 | ||
Robert Bloom | @Robert-Bloom-10 | ||
Sebastian Andrews | @SebastianAndrewsxxx | ||
Tony Nguyen | @ToneBalone69 |
Sellers Underground
GoFundMe Campaign for Seller Underground staff – https://www.gofundme.com/f/sellers-underground-family
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Adam Stone | @Adam-Stone-77 | ||
Angel Serrata | @Angel-Serrata | ||
Diamond Dior | $diamonddioratx | @Diamonddioratx | |
Hermajestie | @hermajestie | ||
Nadine Hughes | $browsoftexas | browsoftexas@aol.com | @melody-cass |
Nick Jones | @Nicholasejones | ||
Tony Castro | $TonyCATX | paypal.me/djtonycastro | @Tony-Castro-3 |
Wayne Fowks | paypal.Me/Waynefowks | @Wayne-Fowks |
DRAG ARTISTS
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Amber Nicole Davenport | $amberndavenport | @AmberDavenport1 | |
Chique Fil-Atio | @EatMoreChique | ||
Colleen Deforrest | @Colleen-DeForrest | ||
Cupcake | @CupcakeATX | ||
DeeGee Reynolds | @DeeGee_Reynolds | ||
Diamond Dior | $diamonddioratx | @Diamonddioratx | |
Hermajestie | @hermajestie | ||
Jack Rabid | @sockmonkey613 | ||
Kendall Aguinaga | $KendallATX | @kendall_ATX | |
Lady Grackle | paypal.me/ladygrackle | @ladygrackle | |
Louisianna Purchase | $louisiannapurchase | Louisiannapurchase666@gmail.com | @louisiannapurchase |
Marley Bell | $marleybell3 | @marley_bell3 | |
Nadine Hughes | $browsoftexas | browsoftexas@aol.com | @melody-cass |
Noodles | @nickisnoodles | ||
Oxāṇa Piranha | paypal.me/oxanapiranha | ||
Papi Churro | @papichurroatx | ||
Rhonda Jewels | @rhondajewels | ||
Ruby Knight | @rvbyknight | ||
Simone Riviera | @Simone-Riviera | ||
Targét | $TargetQueen69 | @TargetQueen69 | |
Vegas Van Cartier | @VegasVanCartier |
DEEJAYS
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Alphonso Compian (DJ Alpha) | @alpha_theironbear | ||
Ariz Lagunas (DJ KAHLU) | @Ariz-Lagunas | ||
David Balli (DJ Kavika) | $djkavika | djkavika@gmail.com | @djkavika |
Eric Contreras (DJ Eriq Stylez) | djeriqstylez@yahoo.com | @eric-contreras-24 | |
Jon Garcia (Glitoris) | @glitoris | ||
Tony Castro | $TonyCATX | paypal.me/djtonycastro | @Tony-Castro-3 |
MUSICIANS
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Adam Carmichael | $adamlessordinary | ||
Julie Nolen | paypal.me/julienolen | @julie-nolen | |
Lisa Marshall | paypal.me/LisaMarshallMusic | @LisaMarshall55 |
SERVICE INDUSTRY
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Danny Hernandez | $dannydapper | paypal.me/DannyDapper1 | @DannyDapper |
David Tarafa | @bethcomics | ||
Ernest Campos | @ernestodemayo | ||
Kendall Aguinaga | $KendallATX | @kendall_ATX |
therepubliq
The COVID-19 pandemic in Austin has also been a major blow to us here at therepubliq. While we have managed to navigate many of the storms that local LGBTQ+ media has weathered in the past, this is unprecedented.
90% of our revenue — advertising, event promotions, sponsorships, and income from our own events — is directly tied to people getting together in groups. The current situation has virtually eliminated this income and with the current models, could last for months. For a small independent publication, like therepubliq, this can be devastating. At a time when our community needs the be kept up-to-date on what’s going on, now more than ever, we’re asking for your help to support continued coverage of everything happening in LGBTQ+ Austin. You can make one-time contribution at queertx.com/support or making a recurring donation by becoming a patron at queertx.com/patron.
Thank you! We can’t say enough how much we appreciate your support.
Patreon Campaign for therepubliq – http://patreon.com/therepubliq
Name | CashApp | Paypal | Venmo |
---|---|---|---|
Chase Martin | $chaseinaustin | paypal.me/chaseinaustin | @chaseinaustin |
If you’d like to be added to the list, email chase@therepubliq.com with your details, including: your name, where you work (or what you do if you’re a freelancer), CashApp username, PayPal email or PayPalMe URL, or Venmo username.
Sources:
Chase is the founder and Creative Director of therepubliq.com, former host and Executive Producer of OutCast Austin, an award-winning LGBT weekly radio program on KOOP 91.7 FM in Austin. In 2011, he was named the Critics Pick for 'Most Gaybiquitous' in the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin. In 2012, CultureMap Austin named him one of Austin's Top LGBT bloggers and he received the AGLCC's Chamber Award for Social Media Diva.

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