To our community:
Yes, Dallas Pride has faced challenges. And yes, there are truths that deserve to be acknowledged.
But there’s also been confusion, personal interpretations and misinformation circulating that I feel a responsibility to address openly, honestly and with care.
First and foremost, thank you.
To every volunteer, performer, staff member, community partner, sponsor and supporter: Thank you for bringing your time, energy and heart to Dallas Pride 2025. Despite the internal tensions and some behind-the-scenes hurdles, what you helped create was vibrant, inclusive and rooted in love.
That is what people saw and felt. That is the legacy of Pride.
Still, if we’re going to have a conversation, then let’s have a full one.
Let’s start with the facts
• Every entertainer was paid. Some initial checks were delayed due to an unexpected issue with our financial institution. Once the problem was discovered, we moved quickly, resolving most payments within 24 hours via Zelle, CashApp or direct cash, depending on what was feasible and secure.
• Cash payments were handled appropriately. Payments under $600 fall below the IRS threshold requiring a W-9 or 1099. This is standard across many events, and our processes were aligned with both legal and industry norms.
• RuPaul’s Drag Race performers were paid in cash, per their contracts, which required cash upon arrival. That agreement was honored in full.
• The CEO was not on every entertainment call, but I reviewed and signed off on all major decisions, contracts and budgets. I was also focused on permitting, insurance, city compliance and venue contracts — without which there would be no event at all.
Clarifying what’s been misunderstood
Some recent commentary has blurred facts with personal frustrations. Let’s clarify a few key points:
• Vinnie DeLuna is not, and has never been, a board member of Dallas Pride.
• Joe Flores was involved this year but at times operated beyond agreed roles. Leadership requires collaboration, boundaries, and accountability — especially in community-facing work.
• Adam Lynn’s theft happened years ago left lasting financial wounds that we’re still recovering from. That history shaped how we now prioritize oversight and safeguards.
• Jeremy’s departure stemmed from a loss of unrestricted access to QuickBooks, not unfair treatment. That financial tool was under his sole control, which we discovered and responsibly addressed. It’s also important to note that Jeremy was not on the board.
• Security concerns were addressed within the legal limits of our venue agreement. Fair Park has an exclusive contract for security services. While we appreciated Jason and his team’s willingness to support, we were legally bound to follow venue requirements. That said, Jason remained and worked closely with us, and we look forward to continuing that partnership.
Looking ahead
Dallas Pride is taking lessons from this year seriously. We’re already working on:
• Improving contract timelines and artist booking protocols
• Expanding volunteer training and support systems
• Increasing transparency around board roles and financial oversight
• Strengthening payment processes and fiscal operations
To Cassie Nova:
Your voice matters. Your presence in our community is deeply felt. While we may not align on everything, I want to thank you for your contributions this year and for your unwavering dedication to the performers and the culture that fuels Pride.
To our broader communities:
Dallas Pride is more than a celebration; it’s a living reflection of the LGBTQIA+ spirit in North Texas. We’re not perfect, but we are evolving — with purpose, with intention and with you.
We owe that growth to our youth, our elders, our trans siblings, our artists and every future leader waiting to take the stage.
Pride is our right. Growth is our responsibility. And unity is the path forward.
Sincerely,
Sherrell Cross,
executive director, Dallas Pride
Sherrell Cross’ statement to the Dallas Voice that my “departure stemmed from a loss of unrestricted access to QuickBooks” is a lie, and she knows it.
The Board of Directors asked me to become the Office 365 primary administrator shortly after Jaron’s departure. The Board asked me to become the QuickBooks primary administrator when Adam Lynn refused to surrender his sole control of the books after his sudden departure.
Despite Sherrell’s false claims, Dallas Pride did not “responsibly address” anything related to my access. When I resigned, I promptly transferred primary admin of Office 365 to Jimmy Bartlett, and I transferred primary admin of QuickBooks to Frank Holland.
Here is my resignation letter: https://www.scribd.com/document/881657640/
Here is the confirmation from Intuit: https://www.scribd.com/document/881660108/
Let’s not continue to do this, Sherrell.
To the Leadership of Dallas Pride,
Thank you for taking the time to publicly respond to the concerns that have been circulating within our community regarding this year’s Pride events. Transparency, especially when challenges arise, is not just appreciated it is necessary.
However, while the article attempts to clarify specific issues, it also unintentionally dismisses the weight of lived experiences behind the concerns. Misinformation may exist, but so does real frustration not just over operational glitches, but over a pattern of disorganization, lack of communication, and the perception that some voices and labor were undervalued or sidelined.
It’s not enough to list technical explanations. What our community is really calling for is empathy and ownership. Delayed payments and contract confusion didn’t just cause logistical stress they created doubt, hurt, and tension among performers, volunteers, and supporters who put in tremendous effort, often with little recognition.
The statement suggests that some individuals “operated beyond agreed roles” or that frustrations were “personal interpretations,” but that framing feels like an attempt to deflect rather than reflect. If people stepped outside of roles, was it because expectations weren’t clear? If emotions were high, perhaps it’s because people care deeply. That passion should be embraced, not diminished.
To move forward, we need more than promises. We need follow through. Not just better processes, but better relationships ones grounded in trust, respect, and shared vision. Pride should never feel like a top down production it should feel like a community coming together, each person, role, and voice valued equally.
I sincerely hope Dallas Pride’s leadership continues to engage openly with the broader LGBTQIA+ family, not only when damage control is needed but consistently, proactively, and with humility.
Pride is a reflection of all of us not just in celebration, but in how we show up for one another when it’s hardest.
We need to stop with the blaming, start being accountable, and really think about what we’re doing this for.
We are not here to build egos, brands, or click-worthy moments. We are here for the kid who’s scared to come out, for the trans woman fighting for safety and visibility, for the elder who never got to live in their truth, for the performers who put on a brave face despite not being treated with dignity, and for every single soul who just wants to feel like they belong somewhere.
Let’s not lose sight of that. Let’s remember that Pride isn’t a product it’s a promise. A promise to uplift, to protect, to include, and to evolve.
We can do better and we must because our community deserves nothing less.
your entire Pride went south when you gave up, took it off the streets, and went into Fair Park and into buildings where you could be hidden and shamed.
It seems you failed to mention or provide an update on the IRS tax returns that Frank Holland submitted. Is HE still involved with Dallas Pride?