LULAC Rainbow Council hosts 2nd Social Justice Summit at UTD
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Rainbow Council of Dallas will sponsor its second annual LGBTQ Social Justice Summit on Saturday, Sept. 14, at The University of Texas at Dallas Clark Center in Richardson.
“The LGBTQ Social Justice Summit is a great way for local and out-of-town LGBTQ persons and allies to participate in activism as part of gay Pride weekend,” said John Trevino, LULAC 4871 past president and summit co-chair.
The LGBTQ Summit will include sessions on LGBTQ immigration issues, LGBTQ Latino history, health and wellness, the impact of the Defense of Marriage Act decision and information on advocating for equality. Several local and nationally recognized speakers have agreed to present at the summit, including representatives from Lambda Legal, Texas A&M University School of Law, Human Rights Initiative, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, among others.
The inaugural summit was held in 2012 and featured a keynote luncheon address by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Sarah Saldana. Nearly 50 activists and college students attended the summit at UT Dallas.
“My hope is that the LGBTQ summit will become a Dallas Pride celebration tradition,” said Jesse Tafalla Jr., LULAC 4871 Rainbow Council president. “The Summit is open to anyone interested in making a difference in our community, not just LULAC members, but any person interested in fighting for full equality.”
The summit is sponsored by LULAC, UT Dallas office of Diversity and Community Engagement, Univision Radio, Lambda Legal, Human Rights Campaign, Freedom To Marry, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, CocoAndre, El Padrino Restaurant, Havana Lounge and local supporting LULAC Councils . The summit is free and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. For more, visit LGBTQsummit.com.
Gray Pride marks gay Pride with variety show in Rose Room
Resource Center Dallas’ Gray Pride program will host its second annual “Gray Pride for Gay Pride” in The Rose Room at S4 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.
This year’s event will be a Gray Pride variety show produced and directed by Sean Baugh, associate director of worship at Cathedral of Hope and associate director of Turtle Creek Chorale.
The show will feature local stars Patty Breckenridge, Amy Stevenson, Jason Huff, Chris Wadley and Michael A. Smith, as well as other musicians and entertainers from TCC and COH’s music ministry. They will provide an eclectic mix of music standards and Broadway tunes, accompanied by a lounge band.
Jerry Calumn, local comedian and entertainer, will serve as master of ceremonies. Food will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. There is no cover charge, but donations to support the Gray Pride program will be accepted. For more information or to volunteer, contact Shelley Hamilton at shamilton@rcdallas.org or 214-540-4418.
Tavern Guild honors American with outstanding partner award
The Dallas Tavern Guild will honor American Airlines and its diversity markets group headed by George Carrancho with the 2013 Outstanding Corporate Partner Award at a VIP Reception and Awards Party on Friday, Sept. 13.
The relationship between the Dallas Tavern Guild and American Airlines includes trade show promotions, destination marketing, LGBT press trips and Dallas Pride. American has long been the benchmark for LGBT travel in both the business and leisure market and in its commitment to serve and support diversity and equality through customer service and employee inclusion.
American will be the first corporation to receive the award for the second time.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition September 13, 2013.