K. Michelle

Dallas Southern Pride presents the 21st annual Dallas Black Gay Pride Weekend Sept. 27-Oct. 1, coinciding with the opening of the Texas State Fair and the annual State Fair Classic game between Grambling University and Prairie View A&M.

This year’s theme is “Infinite Shades: Black, Bold and Beautiful,” and the weekend includes a variety of events intended to “promote an atmosphere of positive interaction and celebrate the intersectionality of our lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer identities and our black identity,” according to the Dallas Southern Pride website.
In addition to parties to celebrate, the weekend will include participation by organizations addressing health, education, economic and social issues affecting the North Texas black LGBTQ communities.

Dallas Black Pride Weekend, which includes the Ball/House and Pageant Communities Conference, is one of the biggest LGBT events in North Texas each year. Last year, more than 15,000 people participated in the weekend, and at least that many are expected again this year. And while “historically, Prides have been predominantly gay male events,” Dallas Southern Pride organizers said via their website that they are proud to continue building alliances and partnerships inclusive of women and transgender people “to ensure the needs of all communities are addressed with workshops on relationships, health, wellness and financial planning. We also honor and acknowledge our allies, those who stand in the gap for us in spaces and conversations where we are not able to be present.”

The 2018 Dallas Black Gay Pride Weekend begins with the iCandy Megaparty Friday, Sept. 28, at Marty’s Live!, 4207 Maple Ave. The party is hosted by Rudeboy Dallas and Nicole O’hara Munro, and features DJ C Wade and Hypeman Dupree. Admission is free before 10:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Black Pride 2018 Pool Party, featuring K. Michelle and Jazmine Sullivan, will be held from 4-10 p.m. at the Cedar Canyon Dude Ranch, 4523 N. Houston School Road in Lancaster.

The party continues on Saturday with the Return of the Masquerade Ball, hosted by Dallas Southern Pride and Abounding Prosperity Inc., from 11:45p.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Longhorn Ballroom, 216 Corinth St. in Dallas. General admission is free. General tables on the floor at runway level are $200 each. VIP Section 2, 3 and 4 tables overlooking the floor and runway are $424.35 each, or an entire section of three tables for $1,200. VIP tables on the stage — four are available — are $500 each.
Each table seats eight people.

The Masquerade Ball will feature as commentators Icons Jack Mizrahi and Jay Blaknik, along with Legendary Dashaun Lavin.

Black Pride Weekend winds up Sunday, Sept. 30, with the 2018 Unity BBQ, from 3-7 p.m. at Bachman Lake Park, 3500 W. Northwest Highway. This event is free.

Host hotels for the weekend are Aloft Dallas Downtown, 1033 Young St., and Springhill Suites Dallas Downtown/West End, 1907 Lamar.

For more information visit DallasSouthernPride.com

— Tammye Nash