Some members of our community have expressed concerns regarding what has been perceived as new rules for participants in the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade.
As one of the police operations commanders responsible for coordinating and supervising all of the police officers who will be working the parade, I am in a position to help eliminate any misunderstandings and fears that some may have within our community.
First, there are no new laws or rules for this year’s pride festivities. All of the laws and rules that govern the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade, Festival in Lee Park and other events held in our community have been in place for many years.
My announcement at the parade entry meeting a few weeks ago was simply a reminder of what the expectations have been for years, along with the potential consequences for violations of those rules. As our events continue to grow, we work to take proactive measures to prevent problems so enforcement actions are not required.
While permits are issued from the city of Dallas so that the streets can be closed for our celebrations and special events, those permits do not allow us to violate the laws of the state of Texas. That said, here are some of the laws that we would like Pride participants and spectators to be mindful of and abide by so that we can continue to have LGBT special events with as few enforcement actions as possible:
• Public Intoxication — Anybody who is in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that they may endanger themselves or another person can be arrested and charged with a Class C misdemeanor.
• Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor —With few exceptions, any adult who purchases for or gives an alcoholic beverage to somebody under 21 can be arrested and charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
• Disorderly Conduct (Exposure) — Anybody who intentionally or knowingly exposes their anus or genitals in a public place can be arrested and charged with a Class C misdemeanor.
• Indecent Exposure — Anybody who exposes their anus or any part of their genitals in a public place with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person can be arrested and charged with a Class B misdemeanor. This offense may be enhanced to a third-degree Felony if a child younger than 17 is present.
• Public Lewdness — Anybody who engages in sexual acts or sexual contact in a public place can be arrested and charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Sexual contact includes any touching of the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of another person with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. This offense may be enhanced to a third-degree felony if a child younger than 17 is present.
The LGBT community — our community — has come a long way since the Stonewall Rebellion and other keystone events in our march toward full equality. I say our community because this is my community as well. The people I met in my first trips to Cedar Springs helped give me the strength to come out to my family. I was on Cedar Springs when Sgt. Lynne Albright (ret.) recruited me to the law enforcement profession in 2001. Since then, I have developed a great sense of Pride in serving our community as an openly gay police commander for events including the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade, Halloween Street Party, Razzle Dazzle Dallas, Easter in the Park and LifeWalk.
This weekend will be the 11th year I have worked the parade in uniform and the seventh year that I have served as one of the police operations commanders. To me, this weekend’s festivities are about having pride in how far we have come as a community and Pride in the many battles won by and for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters. Pride allows us to show those who are bullied and tormented that there is hope and it does get better. Pride also allows us to renew and reenergize our spirits for the battles that we have ahead of us in seeking full equality for every member of the LGBT community.
I will be there from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. so that I can have Pride and help ensure that we can all have Pride. I also want to see all of us go home safely — because we have a lot of work to do and continue come Monday morning to continue to push our community forward. See you there!
Jeremy Liebbe is a detective sergeant for DISD and police operations commander for Dallas Pride.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition September 13, 2013.