Colton Ashabranner
@coltonash.com
(he/him) 🏳️🌈📍 atx
lgbtq+ biz advocate • recovering journalist • txst alum • leadership austin alum • artist • lover of human rights, beyoncé, glitter & pop culture • scorpio • cat & plant dad
🎙️ austinlgbtbiz.com/podcast
lgbtq+ biz advocate • recovering journalist • txst alum • leadership austin alum • artist • lover of human rights, beyoncé, glitter & pop culture • scorpio • cat & plant dad
🎙️ austinlgbtbiz.com/podcast
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
🌈✨ From powerful ballads to bold beats, the 6th Annual Pride in Local Music was pure magic! 🎶💜
👏 Thank you to every incredible performer who lit up 3TEN ACL Live and to everyone who came out to celebrate Austin’s LGBTQIA+ talent. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
#atx #austin #livemusic #PILM25
👏 Thank you to every incredible performer who lit up 3TEN ACL Live and to everyone who came out to celebrate Austin’s LGBTQIA+ talent. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
#atx #austin #livemusic #PILM25
October 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
🌈✨ From powerful ballads to bold beats, the 6th Annual Pride in Local Music was pure magic! 🎶💜
👏 Thank you to every incredible performer who lit up 3TEN ACL Live and to everyone who came out to celebrate Austin’s LGBTQIA+ talent. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
#atx #austin #livemusic #PILM25
👏 Thank you to every incredible performer who lit up 3TEN ACL Live and to everyone who came out to celebrate Austin’s LGBTQIA+ talent. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
#atx #austin #livemusic #PILM25
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
🇺🇸 Today, we honor and remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Among them was Mark Bingham, an American LGBTQ+ hero. #hero #lgbtq #neverforget
September 11, 2025 at 4:57 PM
🇺🇸 Today, we honor and remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Among them was Mark Bingham, an American LGBTQ+ hero. #hero #lgbtq #neverforget
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
Law enforcement sources informed KXAN that at least 50 federal agents arrived in Austin this week for another round of immigration raids.
Law enforcement: At least 50 federal agents in Austin for more rounds of ICE raids
Law enforcement: At least 50 federal agents in Austin this week for another round of ICE raids.
www.kxan.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Law enforcement sources informed KXAN that at least 50 federal agents arrived in Austin this week for another round of immigration raids.
SUNDAY FUNDAY! FREE Live Music by some of Austin's most talented LGBTQ+ musicians.
🗓️ Sept 21 - Doors open at 5PM
🎟️ FREE RSVP: partiful.com/e/d30TgaCAZo... 🌟 VIP TICKET/Festival info: prideinlocalmusic.com
🎶 Julie Bouchard, Julie Nolen, Rock Bottom String Band, Thelonious Love, and promqueen
#atx
🗓️ Sept 21 - Doors open at 5PM
🎟️ FREE RSVP: partiful.com/e/d30TgaCAZo... 🌟 VIP TICKET/Festival info: prideinlocalmusic.com
🎶 Julie Bouchard, Julie Nolen, Rock Bottom String Band, Thelonious Love, and promqueen
#atx
Pride in Local Music @ 3TEN ACL Live at 3TEN
Gay | Do512 - Austin - Do512 is What to do in Austin.
gay.do512.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:11 PM
SUNDAY FUNDAY! FREE Live Music by some of Austin's most talented LGBTQ+ musicians.
🗓️ Sept 21 - Doors open at 5PM
🎟️ FREE RSVP: partiful.com/e/d30TgaCAZo... 🌟 VIP TICKET/Festival info: prideinlocalmusic.com
🎶 Julie Bouchard, Julie Nolen, Rock Bottom String Band, Thelonious Love, and promqueen
#atx
🗓️ Sept 21 - Doors open at 5PM
🎟️ FREE RSVP: partiful.com/e/d30TgaCAZo... 🌟 VIP TICKET/Festival info: prideinlocalmusic.com
🎶 Julie Bouchard, Julie Nolen, Rock Bottom String Band, Thelonious Love, and promqueen
#atx
Cannon, who has been CEO of the @austinlgbtbiz.com since 2019, is joining Visit Austin on Sept. 22 as vice president of strategic alliances and executive director of the Visit Austin Foundation, according to an announcement. Her last day with the chamber is Sept. 12.
Austin LGBT Chamber needs a new CEO - Austin Business Journal
The board of directors will launch a search for a new CEO soon.
www.bizjournals.com
September 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Cannon, who has been CEO of the @austinlgbtbiz.com since 2019, is joining Visit Austin on Sept. 22 as vice president of strategic alliances and executive director of the Visit Austin Foundation, according to an announcement. Her last day with the chamber is Sept. 12.
Heartbreaking & infuriating. 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
"8 years ago — under President Trump's first term — Air Force Master Sgt. Logan Ireland needed a doctor's note diagnosing him with gender dysphoria to continue serving his country.
Now, that same doctor's note is the reason why he's being kicked out of service."
"8 years ago — under President Trump's first term — Air Force Master Sgt. Logan Ireland needed a doctor's note diagnosing him with gender dysphoria to continue serving his country.
Now, that same doctor's note is the reason why he's being kicked out of service."
Pentagon told trans troops to get diagnosed. It's using the paper trail to kick them out
During President Trump's first term, transgender troops were told they needed to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria to keep their jobs. Now, the military is using that to put them on administrative le...
www.npr.org
September 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Heartbreaking & infuriating. 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
"8 years ago — under President Trump's first term — Air Force Master Sgt. Logan Ireland needed a doctor's note diagnosing him with gender dysphoria to continue serving his country.
Now, that same doctor's note is the reason why he's being kicked out of service."
"8 years ago — under President Trump's first term — Air Force Master Sgt. Logan Ireland needed a doctor's note diagnosing him with gender dysphoria to continue serving his country.
Now, that same doctor's note is the reason why he's being kicked out of service."
🌈 Huge thanks to PRSA Austin for hosting such an important conversation on Being LGBTQ in PR & Marketing. I was honored to join the panel and share space with such brilliant voices. Grateful for the dialogue, the stories, and the work ahead. 💜 #LGBTQMarketing #PR #queer #austin #atx
September 4, 2025 at 7:11 PM
🌈 Huge thanks to PRSA Austin for hosting such an important conversation on Being LGBTQ in PR & Marketing. I was honored to join the panel and share space with such brilliant voices. Grateful for the dialogue, the stories, and the work ahead. 💜 #LGBTQMarketing #PR #queer #austin #atx
I'm so excited for this year's #PrideinLocalMusic! FREE music festival with local LGBTQIA+ artists, raising money for the @austinlgbtbiz.com Education Fund! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🫶
RSVP for FREE 👉 austinlgbtbiz.com/PILM25-rsvp
#atx #austin
RSVP for FREE 👉 austinlgbtbiz.com/PILM25-rsvp
#atx #austin
September 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I'm so excited for this year's #PrideinLocalMusic! FREE music festival with local LGBTQIA+ artists, raising money for the @austinlgbtbiz.com Education Fund! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🫶
RSVP for FREE 👉 austinlgbtbiz.com/PILM25-rsvp
#atx #austin
RSVP for FREE 👉 austinlgbtbiz.com/PILM25-rsvp
#atx #austin
THC ban fails. #txlege
THC still legal for all ages after Texas lawmakers leave hemp unregulated again
Texas lawmakers ended their second special session without regulating or banning hemp.
www.kut.org
September 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
THC ban fails. #txlege
Questioning from Democrats who opposed the bill attempted to zero in on how the bill would be enforced, as it outlines that agencies will take “every reasonable step” to ensure the policy is followed. Orr said during questioning that it would be up to agencies how to enforce their policy. #txlege
“Bathroom bill” aimed at trans people awaits governor’s signature after decade of failed attempts
Senate Bill 8 restricts bathroom use in government buildings and schools to sex assigned at birth.
www.texastribune.org
September 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Questioning from Democrats who opposed the bill attempted to zero in on how the bill would be enforced, as it outlines that agencies will take “every reasonable step” to ensure the policy is followed. Orr said during questioning that it would be up to agencies how to enforce their policy. #txlege
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
BREAKING: The Texas Legislature just officially passed HB7, the new “bounty hunter” ban on abortion medication. #txlege
State Sen. Molly Cook said, “It is my honor to fight for the rest of my life to repeal these bills.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/01/t...
State Sen. Molly Cook said, “It is my honor to fight for the rest of my life to repeal these bills.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/01/t...
Texas Is Already Dangerous for Pregnancies. This New ‘Bounty Hunter’ Law Will Make It Even Worse.
Doctors fear how many more pregnant Texans and their children will die as a result of new restrictions.
thebarbedwire.com
September 4, 2025 at 12:42 AM
BREAKING: The Texas Legislature just officially passed HB7, the new “bounty hunter” ban on abortion medication. #txlege
State Sen. Molly Cook said, “It is my honor to fight for the rest of my life to repeal these bills.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/01/t...
State Sen. Molly Cook said, “It is my honor to fight for the rest of my life to repeal these bills.”
thebarbedwire.com/2025/09/01/t...
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
✨ Austin queer country music icon Julie Nolen is bringing raw power and truth to the stage at Pride in Local Music® at 3TEN ACL Live! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
✨ FREE festival. Queer joy. Local icons.
📍 3TEN Austin City Limits Live
🗓️ Sept 21 | 🚪 Doors Open at 5PM
🎟️ FREE | 21+ ONLY.
Tag your festival crew 🌈🎶
✨ FREE festival. Queer joy. Local icons.
📍 3TEN Austin City Limits Live
🗓️ Sept 21 | 🚪 Doors Open at 5PM
🎟️ FREE | 21+ ONLY.
Tag your festival crew 🌈🎶
September 2, 2025 at 7:46 PM
✨ Austin queer country music icon Julie Nolen is bringing raw power and truth to the stage at Pride in Local Music® at 3TEN ACL Live! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
✨ FREE festival. Queer joy. Local icons.
📍 3TEN Austin City Limits Live
🗓️ Sept 21 | 🚪 Doors Open at 5PM
🎟️ FREE | 21+ ONLY.
Tag your festival crew 🌈🎶
✨ FREE festival. Queer joy. Local icons.
📍 3TEN Austin City Limits Live
🗓️ Sept 21 | 🚪 Doors Open at 5PM
🎟️ FREE | 21+ ONLY.
Tag your festival crew 🌈🎶
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
🎙️ This week on Austin Business News:
🍻 Bad news for bars — alcohol sales are dipping
✈️ Good news for travelers
🏛️ TXlege Special Session, the remix
PLUS: a sneak peek of Pride in Local Music® at 3TEN ACL Live with returning artists Julie Nolen & promqueen - BOTH with new music! #atx #PILM
🍻 Bad news for bars — alcohol sales are dipping
✈️ Good news for travelers
🏛️ TXlege Special Session, the remix
PLUS: a sneak peek of Pride in Local Music® at 3TEN ACL Live with returning artists Julie Nolen & promqueen - BOTH with new music! #atx #PILM
August 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Do y'all think a lesbian bar would do well in Austin?
I just got back from Seattle, and the Wild Rose was PACKED. But they do close at 10 during the week.
I just got back from Seattle, and the Wild Rose was PACKED. But they do close at 10 during the week.
What happened to Austin's lesbian bars?
Only San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, have more gay people per capita than Austin. So why doesn't the city have any lesbian bars?
www.kut.org
August 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Do y'all think a lesbian bar would do well in Austin?
I just got back from Seattle, and the Wild Rose was PACKED. But they do close at 10 during the week.
I just got back from Seattle, and the Wild Rose was PACKED. But they do close at 10 during the week.
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Diversity Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA) Intercity Trip to Seattle! 💼✈️
We spent two incredible (jam-packed) days learning from civic and business leaders, exploring Seattle’s economy, and building meaningful cross-market connections. 💼💸
We spent two incredible (jam-packed) days learning from civic and business leaders, exploring Seattle’s economy, and building meaningful cross-market connections. 💼💸
August 14, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Diversity Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA) Intercity Trip to Seattle! 💼✈️
We spent two incredible (jam-packed) days learning from civic and business leaders, exploring Seattle’s economy, and building meaningful cross-market connections. 💼💸
We spent two incredible (jam-packed) days learning from civic and business leaders, exploring Seattle’s economy, and building meaningful cross-market connections. 💼💸
idk who needs to hear this BUT refrigerated hot coffee is NOT cold brew 🥴
August 14, 2025 at 2:09 PM
idk who needs to hear this BUT refrigerated hot coffee is NOT cold brew 🥴
Hi good morning. Currently an hour into a 6AM flight and I just gotta say that Queer flight attendants are EVERYTHING. Thank you for your service! 🫶💅🏼🥂
August 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Hi good morning. Currently an hour into a 6AM flight and I just gotta say that Queer flight attendants are EVERYTHING. Thank you for your service! 🫶💅🏼🥂
This is one of my favorite events every year! #ATX folks, I hope to see you there! FREE to attend with RSVP ✨🌈
Enjoy great food, delicious drinks (both non-alchoholic & cocktails), and even better company!
kmfa.org/artsmixer #austin
Enjoy great food, delicious drinks (both non-alchoholic & cocktails), and even better company!
kmfa.org/artsmixer #austin
July 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
This is one of my favorite events every year! #ATX folks, I hope to see you there! FREE to attend with RSVP ✨🌈
Enjoy great food, delicious drinks (both non-alchoholic & cocktails), and even better company!
kmfa.org/artsmixer #austin
Enjoy great food, delicious drinks (both non-alchoholic & cocktails), and even better company!
kmfa.org/artsmixer #austin
A key House subcommittee on Wednesday voted to subpoena the Justice Department for Epstein files, after a few Republicans broke with their party to join Democrats in backing the move.
House Panel Votes to Subpoena Justice Dept. for Epstein Files
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 4:38 AM
A key House subcommittee on Wednesday voted to subpoena the Justice Department for Epstein files, after a few Republicans broke with their party to join Democrats in backing the move.
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of celebrating the GAHCC at their Open House!
¡Felicidades on 25 incredible years of Hispanic Austin Leadership and your brand new office space!
We’re proud to see our DECA partners doing amazing work and continuing to grow. 🌟
#atx #austin
¡Felicidades on 25 incredible years of Hispanic Austin Leadership and your brand new office space!
We’re proud to see our DECA partners doing amazing work and continuing to grow. 🌟
#atx #austin
July 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
Today on the Texas Capitol steps, Fiona Dawson, ALGBTCC Senior Director of Partnerships, joined coalition partners in a powerful stand for trans rights & public safety.
All Texans deserve safety, dignity, and respect. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@equalitytexas.bsky.social #txlege
All Texans deserve safety, dignity, and respect. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@equalitytexas.bsky.social #txlege
July 23, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Today on the Texas Capitol steps, Fiona Dawson, ALGBTCC Senior Director of Partnerships, joined coalition partners in a powerful stand for trans rights & public safety.
All Texans deserve safety, dignity, and respect. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@equalitytexas.bsky.social #txlege
All Texans deserve safety, dignity, and respect. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@equalitytexas.bsky.social #txlege
“This bathroom bill is so typical of what we see coming from the legislature when the heat is on them for their own misdeeds,” former state Sen. Wendy Davis said. “What they want is to divert our attention elsewhere.”
Coalition of Texas women declares ‘let us pee in peace’ in opposition to Republican bathroom bill
"Leave our bodies alone," former state Sen. Wendy Davis said.
www.advocate.com
July 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
“This bathroom bill is so typical of what we see coming from the legislature when the heat is on them for their own misdeeds,” former state Sen. Wendy Davis said. “What they want is to divert our attention elsewhere.”
Reposted by Colton Ashabranner
Looking for a relaxed way to network with Greater Austin’s LGBTQ+ business community? Join us this Thursday at Drinks Lounge! 🍻🎶
🗓️ July 24th from 5:30PM-7:00PM
🎟️ FREE to attend. Attendees are responsible for their own tabs.
🔗 bit.ly/3TU2mBY
#atx #austintx #tx
🗓️ July 24th from 5:30PM-7:00PM
🎟️ FREE to attend. Attendees are responsible for their own tabs.
🔗 bit.ly/3TU2mBY
#atx #austintx #tx
Monthly Happy Hour - July 2025
Join the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce at Drinks Lounge for our Monthly Chamber Happy Hour on July 24th from 5:30PM-7:00PM!
🗓️ July 24th⏰ 5:30PM-7:00PM🎟️ FREE to attend. Attendees are responsible f...
bit.ly
July 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Looking for a relaxed way to network with Greater Austin’s LGBTQ+ business community? Join us this Thursday at Drinks Lounge! 🍻🎶
🗓️ July 24th from 5:30PM-7:00PM
🎟️ FREE to attend. Attendees are responsible for their own tabs.
🔗 bit.ly/3TU2mBY
#atx #austintx #tx
🗓️ July 24th from 5:30PM-7:00PM
🎟️ FREE to attend. Attendees are responsible for their own tabs.
🔗 bit.ly/3TU2mBY
#atx #austintx #tx