Organizers of the third annual North Texas Pride held their event at the American Legion in Plano on Saturday, June 1. The event was split between a free, family-friendly vendor fair and a nighttime party held less than a block away at Rooftop Spot.
Tim Phillips, partner of event co-chair Morris Garcia, said: “We just want people around here to know that there are LGBT people that live out here too. We all have goals, aspirations, and want to go to work, and raise our kids.”
Garcia added that, “We have our own community out here. Not everyone likes doing out to the bars [on Cedar Springs]. We wanted a separate event from the Pride parade in Dallas. That way, people don’t have to choose between the two.”
J.J. McCormick, the other co-chair, and his partner Will have been together for eight years, and have three children from previous marriages ranging from ages 9-12. McCormick said, “The event isn’t like gay Pride in Dallas. We never take our kids to that, because it can be overly erotic.”
Phillips said he and his partner paid for the first year’s event out of their own pocket. The original idea for North Texas Pride was mostly Garcia’s. “I said to Tim that it doesn’t have to be the biggest, just the first,” Garcia said.
The couple said the event has grown leaps and bounds from the first year in terms of the number of attendees, as well as the amount of money raised benefiting the Plano-based HIV/AIDS prevention organization CURE (Community, Unity, Respect, Education). The first year saw $600, the second year $1,800. This year will see over an eight-fold increase to $15,000 due in large part to corporate donations.
Numerous local and national corporate sponsors are supporting the event, including Capital One, Texas Instruments, MetLife, American Airlines, BB&T, PAHPA, GALA, Travel by Sandy, Inclusive Counseling, DePlaza & O’Connor Law Firm, Texas Premier Realtors, Tastefully Simple, Human Rights Campaign, and Greg Dollenger Memorial Aids Fund, Inc.
“The long-term vision” Garcia said, “is to eventually have a type of resource center for this community.”
The celebration even had a visit from Plano’s newly elected Mayor Harry LaRosiliere. Former Mayor Phil Dyer was named honorary chairman, but could not attend because of prior commitments.
The evening party held at Rooftop Spot with music by DJ Fierce had tables adorned with rainbow beads and festive feather boas. Rooftop Spot’s friendly staff was on hand to serve guests good food and a variety of cocktails. Raffle tickets were sold for several door prizes including a package of DVDs and various accoutrements from TapeLenders, various memorabilia from FritoLay, and Pride-themed art work, to name a few.
Despite the event’s success, it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security where progress on equality is concerned. One woman approached the Dallas Voice and requested that we not include her in any photographs. Were she to be identifiable in a photo from an event like this, her job would surely be put in jeopardy. The woman, who would identify herself only as a member of upper management for a corporation, said, “I think it’s sad. I’m almost 60, and I think it’s horrible that I still have to hide.”
Even with at least one person still worried about repercussions if discovered, everyone in attendance seemed to be having a great time. People young and old danced to “The Wobble,” proving that whether urban or suburban, LGBT folks know how to get down.
While previous sites for North Texas Pride were Lewisville last year and McKinney in its inaugural year, Garcia said that he’s confident that Plano will be the home for North Texas Pride in future years because of its central location as well as having a DART rail station. Families concerned about parking will have another transportation alternative if they are worried about driving.
For more information visit www.northtexaspride.com
More photos below:
