Trixie Mattel ends the evening spinning a DJ set.
STEVEN LINDSEY | Contributing Writer
stevencraiglindsey@gmail.com
Whether it’s sailing down the first drop of a roller coaster, cheering on the Texas Rangers (or a visiting team) or catching the Dallas Cowboys or a superstar concert at AT&T Stadium, Arlington may be best known to the rest of North Texas as a place to be wildly entertained. But in recent years, the city of roughly 400,000 people has emerged as one of the top Pride destinations in Texas.
Arlington Pride, presented by HELP Center for LGBT Health & Wellness, has had a very short existence, having been established only since 2021. But it has grown exponentially in the four years since then. In 2022, the one-day event drew a crowd of about 1,000. Last year, 10,000 celebrants descended upon Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram St. in downtown Arlington, for the party.
Arlington Pride takes place this Saturday, June 14, again at Levitt Pavilion.
“I’m now fortunate to take a step back and watch our team execute another fantastic event,” says DeeJay Johannessen, CEO of the HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness. “I played a key role in launching Arlington Pride in 2021 after recognizing the need for a strong, visible presence in our city — both to affirm our community and to ensure elected officials and residents understood that LGBTQ+ people are indeed part of Arlington.
“Over the past two years, my role has primarily focused on administrative support while empowering our team to plan, coordinate, and carry out the event,” he said.
Doors open at 4 p.m. Saturday, and the first performers take the stage an hour later. This year’s lineup continues the tradition of bringing in top-tier entertainers with a lineup that often exclipses that of much larger celebrations across the country.
“Talent booking is thankfully not my responsibility,” Johannsessen said. “If it were, I suspect our audience would be sorely disappointed!
Our dynamic duo, Cody Hutchison and Austin Jennings-Ralph, have long-standing relationships in the community and with national talent agencies. Over the years, they’ve built strong partnerships and earned immense respect in the entertainment world, which is why we’re able to secure such outstanding performers.”
This year’s party begins at 5 p.m. with Arlington’s All-Star Drag Show, featuring the casts of 1851 Club in Arlington and Club Reflection in Fort Worth. At 6 p.m., DJ Al Farb takes the stage. When the clock strikes seven, RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorites Ra’Jah O’Hara, Ginger Minj and Nymphia Wind put their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent on full display in A Texas Drag Extravaganza.
Arlington Pride then pauses the entertainment briefly to present awards at 8 p.m. By 8:30, it’s time to welcome Ra’Jah O’Hara, Ginger Minj, and Nymphia Wind back to the stage for A Texas-Sized Parade of Queens. At 9 p.m., country music singer/songwriter Brooke Eden promises to get the crowd dancing before turning the spotlight over to drag legend Trixie Mattel, who closes out the festival with a DJ set.
I often say Arlington is not just the hyphen between the ‘D’ and the ‘FW.’ We’re the 50th largest city in the country, with a vibrant LGBTQ community,” Johannsessen says. “People were genuinely surprised in 2023 when we featured headliners like Symone, Kennedy Davenport and Angeria Paris VanMicheals, especially since it was our first year at the Levitt Pavilion.
“We knew that attracting talent and attendees to Arlington, which isn’t traditionally seen as a queer hub, would be a challenge,” he added. “But we’ve grown from 1,000 attendees in 2022 to nearly 10,000 in 2024. So, I think it’s fair to say we’re no longer just a ‘small’ Pride.”
Johannessen believes there’s room — and demand — for two Pride celebrations in North Texas over the same weekend, too.
“There’s really no conflict with Dallas Pride,” he said. “The experiences are very different, and the schedules don’t significantly overlap. The real competition this year comes from the bars, many of which are hosting high-energy Pride parties. But here’s the good news: Arlington Pride wraps at 11 p.m., just as those parties are kicking off. So, why not do both?”
And, as he points out, we all need as much Pride energy as possible this year, perhaps more than ever in recent memory.
“Our community has faced heightened challenges and attacks over the past year,” Johannessen said. “Arlington Pride is an opportunity to come together, stand strong, and live our lives ‘Out, Loud, and Proud.’”
Arlington Pride is free to the public, but all attendees must register in advance via the ticket link at ArlingtonPride.org. A minimum suggested donation of $10 goes a long way toward funding the event, but it’s entirely voluntary.
