Celebrations across North Texas commemorate National Pride Month
WAVE YOUR FLAG | Pride takes many forms in Dallas from a high-in-the-sky happy hour by the Resource Center to lacing up those running shoes for a celebratory jog with Frontrunners Dallas.
Although the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade is still a few months off, Dallas can still get out to celebrate National Pride Month. Special events have sprouted around North Texas to offer fellowship and fun — and maybe a cocktail or two.
Resource Center Dallas get Pride off the ground — way off —with its Pride Power Hour on the Wet Deck of the W Hotel (that’s the 16th floor, folks) on June 28. An open deck looks over Dallas providing a grand backdrop. Fashion models will preview swimwear and activewear on a runway while the community enjoys nibbles and drinks. The admission price includes three “sips” to get your drink started. Those who make it will also be automatically entered in the prize drawing of a free night’s stay at the hotel. DJ Avenger will be your music guide for the night and most of all, proceeds from the Power Hour will benefit the RCD.
“This event will be the perfect way to kick off the Center’s upcoming The 5 Factor event scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 27,” RCD executive director Cece Cox says. “The needs of our community, and the services we provide, don’t take a summer break.”
W Dallas Victory Hotel, 2440 Victory Park Lane. June 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.
North Texas Pride out of Collin County will celebrate the gayburbs with its second annual Come As You Are party on Saturday at Tierney’s Tavern in Lewisville. The party includes live music by the Ducado Vega Band with DJ Fierce on the turntables. With a decked-out venue, the party will feature carnival-like activities, vendor booths, raffle and door prizes. The event also benefits C.U.R.E. and Health Services of North Texas. North Texas Pride Planning Committee chair Morris Garcia spearheads the event once again.
“In 2011, [my partner] Tim and I decided to have a first-ever Pride event in Collin County, one of the most conservative counties in Texas, because we felt there was a long overdue need to demonstrate to the communities here that there is a GLBTA element that needed to be recognized as good citizens and contributors to the community,” Garcia says. “More importantly, we wanted to celebrate and be proud of who we are, thus the theme, Come As You Are.”
And don’t think suburban gays party less hard. The night continues with an after-hours pool party at the neighboring Best Western Plus.
Hotel discounts are available for attendees.
Tierney’s Tavern, 208 E. Main St., Lewisville. June 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door. NorthTexasPride.com.
As part of the city of Dallas’ June Pride Wednesdays, Fahari Arts Institute director Harold Steward will moderate Lift Every Voice: How the LGBT Community Contributes to the City of Dallas. The conversation with organization and community leaders is the final of the city’s events held throughout the month.
City Hall, 1500 Marilla St., 6th floor, June 27 at noon.
Dallas Frontrunners will celebrate a year of reorganizing with an Anniversary Run on June 23. Last year during National Pride, the group relaunched under the leadership of Lin Wang and has thrived into a successful community athletic group.
The run isn’t an official 5K, but instead is part of the group’s weekly Saturday fun-run. For the anniversary, however, the group invites everyone to join the Frontrunners.
Since last year’s relaunch, the group has garnered enough cred to host the first-ever Dallas Pride Run, to be held in September. Dallas
Frontrunners will extend its reach by inviting groups outside of the city and incorporating a different type of event during the Pride festivities then.
Along the Katy Trail near Knox Street. June 23 at 8:30 am. FrontrunnersDallas.org.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 22, 2012.