QueerBomb Pride party adds elements to honor Orlando victims
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer
QueerBomb organizer Daniel Cates hopes this year’s QueerBomb will be a way for the community to take action as it celebrates Pride and comes together to heal in the wake of the June 12 murders at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
In just a few years, QueerBomb has evolved significantly, Cates said: “It began as a statement against the corporatization of Pride,” he said. But what began as a protest is now the premiere LGBT June Pride event.
This year’s celebration begins at noon at RBC, a club on Commerce Street in Deep Ellum, with the Blow Torch Music Festival. (See box for lineup)
At 5 p.m., the rally yard opens. Organizations will be set up to encourage people to get involved.
“Artists will be creating art live,” Cates said, noting that proceeds will benefit the victims of the attack in Orlando.
Spoken word performances and open mike begin at 6 p.m.
The rally starts at 7:30 p.m., with a line-up of speakers that includes City Councilman Adam Medrano, who will issue an LGBT Liberation Proclamation.
At 8:30 p.m. the march leaves the rally yard and will wind through Deep Ellum, making its way up Main Street and down Elm Street before returning to RBC.
Cates said it makes more sense if QueerBomb is trying to make a statement, to march through an area of town outside the gayborhood. Noting it would be mostly straight people who would be on the sidewalks watching on
Saturday night, he said, “We’ll show these people how to have a good time.”
Anyone may participate since this is a march, not a parade. Police have promised security along the route.
The march ends where it began at RBC where the QueerBomb Ball begins at 9 p.m.
Cates said the rally yard will remain open and alcohol-free through the evening so younger people may participate. Drinking will be allowed inside and on the club’s patios.
In addition to police security, RBC employs its own private security and QueerBomb has volunteer security that will work the events throughout the day. People will be wanded before entering the club.
Other events are coordinating with QueerBomb to make the Pride celebration even larger.
Planned Parenthood is presenting FemmeBomb at Double Wide on Commerce Street. Live music and art will celebrate femme folks of all backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations. Sudie, Francine, Moth Face and DJ Ursa Minor are among the performers.
Oak Lawn Band presents What’s Up Doc, a free concert, at the Latino Cultural Center with music from popular animated shows from TV and movies, both old and new.
“More and more people are coming on board,” Cates said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how it grows over the next few years.”
RBC, 2617 Commerce Street from noon-2 a.m.Walking distance to Deep Ellum Station on the Green Line and paid parking is available for $5 under the bridges.
Double Wide, 3510 Commerce St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
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Blow Torch Music Festival Lineup:
Noon: Robert Olivas and friends
1 p.m.: Charlie and the Big Black Cup
1:45 p.m.: Queer Classical Hour – featuring Vincent Pierce
3 p.m.: Patrick Boothe
3:40 p.m.: Toshio Mana
4:20 p.m.: Mr. Pixie
5 p.m.: Mokah Soulfly
5:15 p.m.: Alsace Carcione
Rally yard speakers:
Keisha Hunter (Mokah Soulfly)
Christopher Stephen Soden
Luz Hernandez of Planned Parenthood
Michael Dominguez
Sammi Partida
CD Kirven
Danielle Jessica Pellet
Kilo Mx
Jalenzski Brown
Councilman Medrano
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 24, 2016.
Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St. at 4 p.m.
