The board of directors of Pride in Dallas has announced “several major decisions [that] establish the framework for its 2026 celebrations and reaffirm the organization’s commitment to visibility, remembrance, and community impact.” Chief among those announcements was renaming the annual September Pride parade in honor of the longtime executive director of the Dallas Tavern Guild and lead organizer for Dallas Pride, Michael Doughman.
“Michael Doughman was a respected leader, advocate and community builder whose impact on the Dallas LGBTQ+ community was both lasting and profound,” the press release notes. “Through his dedication to Pride, community organizing and creating inclusive spaces, Michael helped shape opportunities for visibility, celebration and connection for countless individuals. Naming the parade in his memory serves as a permanent tribute to his leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to ensuring Pride remains accessible, meaningful and rooted in community.”
Doughman retired from his positions with the Dallas Tavern Guild in the fall of 2018 and moved to Puerto Vallarta. He died at his home there on June 9 following an extended illness.
The Pride in Dallas board officially set Sept. 13-20 as Pride in Dallas week for 2026, with the newly-named Michael Doughman Parade on Cedar Springs happening at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. The week leading up to the parade will “feature a series of events, including vocal performance programming and collaborative partnerships with nonprofit organizations, designed to elevate local and national artists and strengthen community connections,” according to the press release, dated Friday, Jan. 9.
The 2026 Pride in Dallas theme is “Pride Lives Here,” the press release notes. “This theme affirms that Pride is not limited to a single event or moment, but lives year-round in the people, neighborhoods and shared spaces that form the Dallas community. It reflects Pride in Dallas’s ongoing commitment to visibility, belonging, and authenticity.
Pride in Dallas Executive Director Vincent DeLuna, speaking on behalf of the organization’s board of directors, said, “These decisions reflect our dedication to honoring our history, celebrating our community and investing in a future where Pride continues to thrive in Dallas.”
— Tammye Nash