Outrageous Oral kicks off new year of LGBT storytelling

Wesley Phelps, Betty Neal and Gary Garcia gave oral histories at The Dallas Way’s 27th Outrageous Oral at the Rose Room on Thursday, April 5.
Phelps, a history professor, recounted Baker v. Wade and its impact on LGBT rights. The 1982 Baker decision by Judge Jerry Buchmeyer declared the Texas sodomy law unconstitutional. Although his decision was overturned by the 5th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court turned down an appeal, Phelps said, the strategy learned led to the successes in Lawrence v. Texas, Windsor, Obergefell and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Neal talked about Dallas Black Pride, which has been underground for generations, she said. In Dallas, the black LGBT Pride celebration grew out of the Grambling-Prairie View A&M game held annually at the Cotton Bowl. Today, Dallas Southern Pride is one of the five largest LGBT black Pride celebrations in the country, attracting about 10,000 people.
Garcia spoke about organ donation. He was a pioneer in liver transplantation to a person with HIV. His story was recounted in Dallas Voice late last year.
Fox 4 reporter Steve Noviello hosted the evening.
The next Outrageous Oral is scheduled for Aug. 23 in the Rose Room and the sixth annual fundraising brunch will be held on Dec. 2.

— David Taffet