Headliners FEA have emerged as Chicana punk icons. Credit: Jaime Monzon

With lawmakers trying to legislate gender roles and dismantle recognitions of diversity, there couldn’t be a more important time to celebrate every individual for who they are.

To that end, on Saturday, June 7, Deco District DIY venue The Starlighter is hosting House of Queer Noise, a musical fundraiser for San Antonio’s Thrive Youth Center and Fiesta Youth. The bill will feature Alamo City acts FEA, Morta, Lloronas and Mypilotis.

“It’s Pride Month, and that’s something we wanted to kick off [while reminding] everybody that Pride doesn’t have to be a corporate event or something sponsored,” said Kayla Guerrero, one of The Starlighter’s owners. “It can be your favorite queer bands or your favorite drag artists or performers coming together and just making some noise for the cause.”

Guerrero’s inspiration largely stemmed from an interest in showing her non-gender-conforming child that people in the community are willing to show their support.

“Texas is a very scary place to be a queer child right now,” Guerrero said. “Having that third space is something we’ve really wanted to support, and that’s why we’ve stayed all-ages for so long.”

Indeed, the organizations which the event benefits offer powerful support systems for San Antonio LGBTQIA+ youth.

Thrive Youth Center provides emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, while Fiesta Youth supports queer young people and their families through counseling.

When curating the night, Guerrero worked to showcase a variety of musical styles while maintaining a like-mindedness in messaging and energy.

Thanks to tireless recording and touring, headliners FEA have emerged as Chicana punk icons, while Morta offers a high-intensity blend of death metal and hardcore punk.

Lloronas are known for aggressive disco rhythms sure to get crowds dancing, and Mypilotis grew from a project local singer-songwriter Chesca Umeno launched a decade ago.

FEA’s participation was no-brainer. The band’s visibility and outreach go hand-in-hand with the show’s mission, singer Letty Martinez said.

“It’s important to be a part of events like House of Queer Noise because the LGBTQ+ community needs so much support these days,” Martinez added. “Especially with Trump’s new policies. Trans and queer lives have been greatly affected and we want to help in any way we can.”

Mypolitis frontwoman Umeno describes her band as “a bunch of goobers having fun,” and that lightheartedness is apparent onstage. However, there’s also a clear message: inclusion is for everyone.

While San Antonio’s LGBTQIA+ community is largely supportive, according to Umeno, she acknowledges some young people may not have found such a network yet.

“For me, it’s the fact that some people aren’t as free to be themselves, and that’s one of the main reasons this event is important,” she said.

Beyond the show itself, The Starlighter itself plays a key role in supporting the community. Since its 2021 launch, the venue has operated as an inclusive safe space available to all ages.

“It’s all a labor of love,” co-owner Guerrero said. “It’s worth it because of the community that it fosters, and that community has been supportive back.”

$10-$15, 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7, The Starlighter, 1910 Fredericksburg Road, thestarlighter.com.

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This article appears in May 29 – Jun 11, 2025.