Pride in Dallas’ 2026 Michael Doughman Pride Parade rolls down Cedar Springs Road at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer
Taffet@DallasVoice.com
September Pride weekend begins with a “meet the parade dignitaries” event on Friday evening, and continues with a festival on Saturday and a parade on Sunday.
While June Pride celebrates national events in the gay liberation movement, September Pride focuses on local Pride history.
For most of the weekend, Cedar Springs Road will be closed to car traffic, but the parking lots off the side streets will remain open. Dickason Avenue from Oak Lawn to Reagan will be open, but no parking will be allowed. Cars parked on Cedar Springs Road after the bars close on Friday night will be towed.
Kick off Pride on Friday from 6-8 p.m. in the Rose Room where you can meet the parade dignitaries, starting with Grand Marshal Kelexis Davenport along with Honorary Grand Marshals Jimmy Bartlett and David Taffet. (Hey, wait; that’s me! And I was asked to speak. Well, that should be a train wreck.)
Parade hosts Larry the Fairy, Cassie Nova, Shemar Collins DuPree, Boleggs and Chad Mantooth will also be on hand. Surely Cassie will keep Chad quiet.
The event ends early so enjoy what should be a very busy evening on The Strip.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18:
Library murals ribbon cutting
Head over to the Oak Lawn Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Friday for a ribbon cutting for the new murals that were painted on the pillars on the side and back of the building.
With the city slashing the budget, the Oak Lawn library has been under threat of closing even though it houses a special collection — one of the largest LGBTQ collections in the U.S. — and remains one of the busiest branches in the city. Let’s pack the library again and show we love our local branch.
Cathedral of Hope UCC 56th Anniversary
Why celebrate the 56th anniversary? Because the 50th anniversary occurred during the COVID lockdown, and they were unable to celebrate the church that is a spiritual anchor of the Dallas LGBTQ+ community.
Throughout the evening, they’ll remember the church’s past, speculate about its future and celebrate some of the church’s successes — such as the food rescue program, which has collected and distributed more than a million pounds of food already just this year.
The celebration takes place from 6-9 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary. Tickets at CathedralOfHope.com.
Texas Entertainer of the Year F.I.
Texas Entertainer of the Year F.I. 2025 Deja Dubois will crown her successor at the Texas Entertainer of the Year F.I. pageant. The event takes place at Southside Preservation Hall, 1519 Lipscomb St., in Fort Worth. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19
Oak Lawn Live
For the first time since Pride in Dallas restored a Cedar Springs Road parade in September, there will also be a festival — not in the park, but on the street.
This year’s September Pride marks the premiere of Oak Lawn Live: four blocks, three stages, one day — from noon until 10 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $20 per person.
Three stages will be set up for 21 performers. Daya is the main stage headliner. Also performing are The Cowgays, Cain Culto and Cure for Paranoia.
Local favorites will also be on hand including Dan Slater, Kameron Ross, Dezi 5 & The Tailgaters, Drew G, EMSKI, DJ Memoz, Anton Shaw & the Bad Habits, Oak Lawn Band and Women’s Chorus of Dallas.
Also scheduled are Barbie Fartsss, Momenta featuring Rexxha, House of Manchic, Philip Webb, Deluna, Red Eye, Eldian and Disco Daddies.
More than 40 vendors have reserved booths along the street.
Food trucks will supplement the variety of dining options on the street. Larry the Fairy, manager of Hunky’s, said he’ll be offering some special delights through the day. Look for other restaurants on The Strip to entice you with new offerings.
And many of the shops along The Strip are planning sales for the day or the entire weekend.
Other events will be going on up and down The Strip. The Yarn Bombers have been decorating poles, limbs and other wrap-cable surfaces with rainbows of yarn, specially designed to piss off our rainbow-phobic governor.
And a paint by number interactive art project invites the artistic — and those who can paint pretty much in the lines — to help create a mural to be displayed or maybe even sold at later events.
Sunday, Sept. 20
and Art Festival
HRC Federal Club Fall Luncheon
The HRC DFW Federal Club Fall Luncheon welcomes state Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa who will speak on what is at stake for LGBTQ+ Texans this Election Day.
A reception begins at 10:30 a.m., and Hinojosa will speak at 11 a.m. at the Fairmont Hotel.
Unleashed LGBTQ+
For 2026, Unleashed is putting an increased emphasis on media, podcasting and the relationship between LGBTQ+ news organizations and the personalities shaping culture.
Unleashed LGBTQ+ will present a special event at S4 at 6 p.m., headlined by TS Madison where she will record three episodes of her acclaimed iHeartPodcast Outlaws with TS Madison. Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, returns for conversation with Madison.
The live event will bring Madison’s signature humor, candor and larger-than-life personality to the Unleashed stage for an experience designed to be as informative as it is entertaining.
The event will also create opportunities for participating LGBTQ+ journalists and members of the News Is Out media collaborative to connect with and interview prominent guests, strengthening one of Unleashed’s original missions: bringing media, talent, organizations and community together in the same room.
Gaybingo: ‘Viva El Gaybingo’
An unforgettable night of entertainment and charity held the third Saturday of the month (except December) at S4, 3911 Cedar Springs Road. Doors open at 5 p.m., and participants play for $2,500 in cash prizes, begins at 6 p.m.
‘ALT GLAM Drag Brunch’
Prism Power Studios present ALT GLAM Drag Brunch at Tulips, 112 St. Louis Ave., in Fort Worth, with U.B. Wylde, Power Surge, Les Bone, JT Davenport and the yet-to-be-crowned Texas EOY, all hosted by Deja Dubois. Food available from La Flama Blanca along with booths from vendors and community partners. Doors open at 11 a.m., show starts at noon; 18 and older admitted.
‘Homecoming Queens: A Charity Drag Show’
The Imperial Court de Fort Worth/Arlington presents Homecoming Queens: A Charity Drag Show at Club Reflection, 604 S. Jennings in Fort Worth begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, followed by the show at 7 p.m.
SUNDAY SEPT. 20
Michael Doughman Pride Parade on Cedar Springs
The first Michael Doughman Pride Parade, named after the longtime parade executive director who passed away in 2019, steps off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. The parade’s not new, but the name is. Pride in Dallas announced it had named the parade in honor of Doughman earlier this year.
As of last week, 55 parade entries are scheduled to march — or roll or float — down Cedar Springs Road, from Douglas Avenue in front of Kroger’s to Oak Lawn Avenue. All cross traffic along the route will be closed so the parade should move at a steady pace.
Two ADA viewing areas will be available in front of Hunky’s and Street’s. An ASL interpreter will be on the main stage across from The Round-Up Saloon.
The parade is staged by Pride in Dallas. Get more information at PrideInDallas.org.
‘Down To Float 8: Red Hot Inferno’
ImpulseDallas presents Down To Float 8: Red Hot Inferno, from 6-11 p.m. at Lee Harvey’s Dive In, 1315 Beaumont St., featuring Jazell Barbie Royale, A’Keria C. Davenport and more. Tickets start at $23.11, available at EventBrite.com.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 26
Heart of the City
Pride Market
Dallas Pride — that’s Dallas’ June Pride festival and parade people — presents Heart of the City Pride Market, a pop-up vendor market at Harwood Park, 408 S. Harwood St. in downtown Dallas.
There will be 24 vendors from noon-6 p.m., and the event is free.
The event is presented by Dallas Pride. More info at DallasPride.org/market.
‘Legacy Cares: Be An Angel’
Legacy Cares: Be An Angel, an upscale cocktail-reception fundraiser benefitting Legacy Cares, will be held from 6-7 p.m. at Golden Blk Candle Lounge, 2242 Monitor St. Tickets are $125, available online at EventBrite.com.
‘Rhapsody at Turtle Manor’
Rhapsody at Turtle Manor is an immersive black-tie event where guests use a “House Key” to explore themed rooms featuring jazz, classical, soul, drag, karaoke and Chorale history, concluding with a full Chorale finale. The annual fundraiser for the Turtle Creek Chorale takes place at 7 p.m. at the Arts District Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave. Tickets at TurtleCreekChorale.com.
‘MS Now: Together in Texas’
MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, presents its community/audience event, MS NOW Live: Together in Texas, featuring MS NOW anchors and reporters including Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell, Jen Psaki, Stephanie Ruhle, Ali Velshi, Ari Melber, Chris Hayes, Symone Sanders Townsend, Alicia Menendez, Jacob Soboroff, Eugene McDaniels, Michael Steele, Luke Russert and the Rev. Al Sharpton at College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington, 600 S. Center St., Arlington. This is an all-day event that will be featured later as a primetime special on MS NOW. Tickets start at $32.40, available online at UTATickets.com.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 29
Pride in Business
The LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce presents Pride in Business with a day of celebration, awards and a business expo at the Astoria Event Venue in Irving.
Candy Marcum and Carolyn Hall will receive the Jack Evans and George Harris Lifetime Achievement Award honoring their years of fund raising, organizing and community activities.
Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts is the featured guest. The former basketball player made history as the highest-ranking executive in men’s professional team sports to come out as gay.
For more information, visit LGBTChamber.com.
Landmark Dinner
An evening of dinner, inspiration and impact to support Lambda Legal’s fight to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Texans and those living with HIV. The evening will honor Omar J. Alaniz, managing partner Dallas, Reed Smith LLP. PFLAG national CEO Brian Bond is the speaker.
The dinner takes place in the ballroom of EBJ Union Station in downtown Dallas at 6 p.m. More information at LambdaLegal.org.
THURSDAY, OCT 1
Burgers + Burgundy
The 17th annual Burgers + Burgundy event, presented by Michelin Star Chef John Tesar, happens from 7-9 p.m. on The Village Lawn at The Village Dallas, 5605 Village Glen Drive. Individual tickets start at $100, $150 for individual VIP tickets, available online at My.OneCause.com. Proceeds benefit DIFFA Dallas.
SUNDAY, OCT. 4
The Miss LifeWalk Pageant
Prism Health North Texas presents the annual Miss LifeWalk fundraising pageant in The Rose Room inside S4, 3911 Cedar Springs Road. VIP Reception starts at 3 p.m., and doors open at 3:30 p.m., with the show starting at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $10 for standing room only and $35 for general reserved seating and $75 for VIP reserved section. Sponsorships available starting at $500. Available at Give.PHNTx.org. Proceeds benefit Prism Health North Texas.
SATURDAY, OCT. 10:
North Texas Pride
North Texas Pride’s “Come As You Are” Pride festival will be held from noon-5 p.m. at the Art Centre of Plano, 902 E. 16th St. in Plano. The festival includes a Kids Zone, cash bar, raffles and giveaways, performances, face painting, music, food trucks and vendor and sponsor booths. Visit NorthTexasPride.org for details.
THURSDAY, OCT. 22
‘Raise a Glass: Stories from Dallas’ Lesbian Bars”
The Dallas Way presents Raise a Glass: Stories from Dallas’ Lesbian Bars at 6:30 p.m. at Sue Ellen’s, 3014 Throckmorton St.
The event will be an evening of firsthand stories and memories from women who helped create, manage and shape some of Dallas’ most iconic lesbian gathering places. Panelists include Kathy Jack, Barbara O’Brien and Harriet Shaw sharing experiences connected to Sue Ellen’s, Desert Moon, Rumors and Moon Dreams, with Kristin Holman, owner of the former Eden Lounge, moderating. Doors open at 5:30 for photo scanning, and attendees are encouraged to bring photographs documenting Dallas’ LGBTQ+ nightlife.