Black leader sees NYC gay community as more diverse, powerful
Pete Webb
Former Dallas activist Pete Webb hasn’t slowed down since his move to New York City almost almost a year ago.
Webb, who transplanted himself to the Big Apple from Big D after a three-month stay in the nation’s capital, now serves on the Human Rights Commission’s Greater New York Steering Committee. He and other committee members recently hosted a meet and greet for U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke in her Brooklyn neighborhood at the gay bar Excelsior.
"I’m staying busy with my community work with the gay community and the Jewish community," said Webb, who works for a residential real estate company in Manhattan. "I’ve never been one to sit on the sidelines."
Webb, who worked for local real estate company Worth Ross and Associates when he lived in Dallas, is a former president of the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance and he was active in various other LGBT community and political affairs, including volunteering for candidates’ campaigns. In time, Webb said he hopes to become as active in New York as he was in Dallas.
"I have a lot of personal and professional goals," said Webb, who now lives in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park area but is planning to move to Manhattan when his lease expires.
Webb grew up in Texas, but he said that he had long planned to move to the East Coast.
"I’m living my dream now," Webb said.
New York’s LGBT community is more diverse, and there are far more organizations, Webb said.
"It’s just a larger presence," Webb said. "Each borough has its own activities. There’s just a lot more to do."
Webb said he plans to visit Dallas over the weekend of July 22 for a workshop at the Melrose Hotel sponsored by the HRC. The workshop will focus on developing leadership skills in organizing volunteers.
"Hopefully, I’ll be able to see all of my friends in the community and spend some time with them," Webb said.