[PHOTOS] LGBTQ+ celebs & allies giddy on up to Austin for this year’s SXSW

The Lone Star State attracts an exceptionally cool crew of LGBTQ+ celebs and allies throughout SXSW.

Mark Mark
Mar 23, 2026 - 20:00
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[PHOTOS] LGBTQ+ celebs & allies giddy on up to Austin for this year’s SXSW
Three-panel image of celebrities at SXSW. From left to right: Caleb Hearon, Andy Cohen, Kandy Muse.

There’s no festival like South by Southwest — lovingly referred to as SXSW — which takes over Austin, Texas every spring with the biggest and brightest in music, tech, entertainment, and culture.

This year’s event, which ran from March 12 to 18, marked the 40th year that people traveled from all over the world to bask in the self-proclaimed “weird” city’s eclectic tastes and excitement for life, and they celebrated fittingly.

Over seven days, SXSW paid homage to “40 years of legends: past, present, and future,” including onscreen icons like Andy Cohen and Jamie Lee Curtis. On top of that, queer artists like Lola Young rocked the stage, and screenings showcased groundbreaking film, like Assembly and the new documentary Dads, which follows Dwyane Wade and other parents who support their trans children.

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Of course, the party kicked off early for the gays at the 13th Annual Big Queer Kickoff Party, which has blossomed from an unofficial LGBTQ+ meetup into a regular SXSW tradition. In the heart of the warehouse district, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Bebe Zarah Benet hosted a high-energy get-together at the beloved Rain on 4th alongside the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

But that was only the beginning; throughout the entire week, the gays and girls showed UP and showed OUT at panels, screenings, and behind-the-scenes.

Below, check out some of the A-list LGBTQ+ celebs and allies who ventured out to Austin for the coolest festival in the west.

1. Andy Cohen

Andy Cohen smiles in a blue chair holding a microphone and wearing a blue blazer at SXSW in 2026.
The king of Bravo appeared in his own panel, “Matt Strauss & Andy Cohen: Community, Culture & The Future of Entertainment,” during the week.

2. Lukas Gage

Lukas Gage smiles in a brown jacket and collared shirt in front of a yellow step-and-repeat at SXSW in 2026.
From The White Lotus to the Lone Star State, where Lukas Gage attended the Love Language premiere.

3. Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar smiles in a black and white dress in front of a yellow step-and-repeat SXSW in 2026.
That’s mother-slash-slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar, to you!

4. Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott smiles next to popcorn and a bottle of Redbreast Irish Whiskey at an event at SXSW in 2026.
The crush-worthy Irish actor made an appearance at an event for Redbreast Irish Whiskey.

5. Kandy Muse

Kandy Muse, pictured out of drag, poses in a cowboy hat and blue suit with no shirt underneath in front of a step-and-repeat at SXSW in 2026.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race alum sported a fit with a little bit of Western flair.

6. Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis holds a microphone and smiles while presenting on stage at the 2026 SXSW festival.
The scream queen herself led a panel on pivoting and manifesting over the weekend.

7. Caleb Hearon

Caleb Hearon smiles in a black hat and brown suit jacket in front of a yellow step-and-repeat at SXSW.
The hilarious queer comedian attended the premiere of Pizza Movie.

8. Hannah Einbinder

Hannah Einbinder smiles softly in a blue collared shirt in front of a brown background at SXSW.
The Hacks actress (and certified bi-con) smiled for a portrait while promoting Seekers of Infinite Love.

9. Poppy Liu

Poppy Liu smiles with her hands on her hips in a green dress in front of a yellow step-and-repeat at SXSW in 2026.
Poppy Liu positively sparkled at the I Love Boosters premiere.

10. Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King

Michael Patrick King (left) smiles with Lisa Kudrow (right) in front of a yellow step-and-repeat at SXSW in 2026.
The prolific gay TV writer smiled for a pic with Lisa Kudrow ahead of the third season premiere of their show, The Comeback.

11. Jake Shane

Jake Shane smiles in an oversized suit jacket and tie sitting in a chair in front of a brown backdrop at SXSW.
The Therapuss podcast host appears in the SXSW movie Wishful Thinking.

12. Dan Bucatinsky

Dan Bucatinky smiles in sunglasses in front of a yellow step-and-repeat at SXSW.
The Emmy-winning queer actor turned up for The Comeback Season 3 premiere at SXSW.

13. Jeremy O. Harris

Jeremy O. Harris smiles in a yellow romper, yellow socks, and tennis shoes in front of a brown backdrop at SXSW.
The queer playwright stars in and co-wrote Erupcja, which played at the festival.

14. Jose Trujillo

Jose Trujillo poses in a pink hat with a white t-shirt that reads "Protect the Dolls" at SXSW in front of a yellow step-and-repeat.
Jose Trujillo repped for the trans community at the world premiere of The Dads, a documentary that tells the powerful story of parents of trans kids.

15. Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer talks into a microphone and smiles broadly on stage at SXSW in 2026.
Baby, this is Keke Palmer! The queer actress treated SXSW audiences to a live edition of her podcast.

16. King Princess

King Princess poses in a black t-shirt and jeans in front of a brown backdrop at SXSW in 2026.
The LGBTQ+ singer and actress did the score for Birth is for P*ssies, whose pilot screened at SXSW.

17. Lola Young

Lola Young performs in a pink jumpsuit on a brightly lit stage at SXSW in 2026.
Lola Young performed a powerful set at the Moody Theater for SXSW.

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