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| Representatives from AIDS Arms Inc., Youth First Texas and the Resource Center of Dallas receive beneficiary checks from the 2007 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Round-Up Saloon. (JOHN WRIGHT/Dallas Voice) |
The skyrocketing cost of providing security at Dallas’ annual gay Pride parade has dramatically reduced the amount of money available for beneficiaries.
Michael Doughman, executive director of the Dallas Tavern Guild and the parade organizer, said the cost of providing security tripled this year due to the event’s growth and changes resulting from Dallas city’s implementation of federal homeland security regulations.
As a result, this year’s beneficiaries AIDS Arms Inc., the Resource Center of Dallas and Youth First Texas received only about half the amounts given in the past. Doughman said each beneficiary received about $2,000 to $2,500 depending on the number of volunteer hours contributed to the event.
The parade has attracted crowds approaching 50,000 people in recent years, Doughman said, and the city has raised the cost of providing things like police, barricades and signage.
To offset the increased costs, Doughman said the Tavern Guild likely will increase entry fees for next year’s parade and festival in Lee Park.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 7, 2007