Philip Johnson, a Dallas legend known as the official historian of the Dallas LGBT community, passed away Monday, Sept. 23, at 1 a.m. at Landmark of Plano retirement Home, at the age of 94.
Philip was born May 1, 1925, in Dallas to Easter Lily Young Johnson and Francis Xavier Johnson. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II, reaching the rank of T/5, Charlie Company ( those reach the rank “technician fifth grade” were addressed as corporal or tech corporal and had specialized skills that merited a higher pay grade).
After the Army, Johnson was a professional ballet dancer and once owned a dance studio. He was also an activist — he danced with Frank Kameny at the American Psychiatric Association’s conference in Dallas in 1972, the year that Kameny and Barbara Gittings first petitioned the APA to remove homosexuality from its list of mental diseases and the year before APA made that change — and an avid history buff. He compiled an extensive history of the Dallas LGBT community in the 20th century, later donating his collection to Resource Center, which then created the Phil Johnson Historic Archives and Library. That collection has since been donated to the University of North Texas Archives to create the Resource Center Dallas LGBT Collection.
Watch for a complete obituary and more on Philip Johnson’s life in the Oct. 4 issue of Dallas Voice.
Rest In Peace. I remember his presence at many Dallas Pride parade over the years
Knowing him in the 60s when the Circle of Friends began greatly aided us as individuals and the movement as a whole. Our world now is a very different and happy place.
I attended meetings of Circle of Friends that Phil founded. We in the LGBTQ community owe him much respect and gratitude for his work for our equality.
Thank you, Philip! RIP
This is truly sad news. Two of the shoulders upon which the rest of us stood are now gone.
I am grateful to have spent years at Phil’s side at the DGA membership table, and many afternoons and evenings at his home.
Talk about paving the way. The world is a different place because of you and others like you. Thanks for paving the way before it was even safe or “popular” to pave the way. Thank you Philip for your service to our country and our LGBT community. You will never be forgotten and will always live on in the work you left behind.
Thank you Phillip for all you have done for our community. I will always remember your strength and determination over these years for equal rights. Your stories and participation have always been seen as a cornerstone to never forget where we come from and where we are headed. Love you always
Phil was a true leader and a great friend. I will always remember the times I spent with him. RIP Dear Friend.
Phil was a true pillar to the community. May he rest in peace