Gays across the state gear up for National Pride Month with festivities
QUE PASO? | Queer rapper Cazwell is one of the headliners at El Paso Pride this week.
As Dallas prepares to get razzled and dazzled for National Pride Month, sister cities across Texas do the same. From the far reaches of West Texas to the Gulf Coast, Lone Star gays know how to party big time. Sorry, Gov. Perry.
Dallas. Razzle Dazzle Dallas celebrates Pride the first weekend in June with a cornucopia of events. The major fun begins with the MetroBall June 7, benefiting the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund with disco legend Thelma Houston headlining the Station 4 party (see story on Page 29). Doors open at 7 p.m.; $25 advance, $30 door. GDMAF.org.
The party grows with the Main Event Downtown at the Main Street Garden on June 8. The bash features live music by The Bright, carnival and burlesque entertainment, food trucks, vendors and (duh) adult cocktails, while touting a family-friendly atmosphere. Starts at 7 p.m.; $5. RazzleDazzleDallas.org.
Plano. Our northern neighbors start the month off with North Texas Pride Festival and Party Saturday at the Rooftop Event Spot. The third annual party will feature DJ Fierce at the tables and prizes along with raffles and prizes for guests. June 1; $15 advance, $20 door. NorthTexasPride.com.
Houston. H-Town celebrates Pride week June 21–30 with an impressive celebration. Their Pride Superstar competition continues at South Beach Houston where local talents vie for your attention and votes to make it to the finals on June 27. Guests can be proud of their upper lip at Kiehl’s 1851 Stache Bash on June 19. Fake or real, show off your facial hair at this chic soiree and your donations will help keep Houston’s big party free.
Win-win! The week culminates with said party, the Houston LGBT Pride Week Celebration, now in its 35th year. The all-day event starts with a festival at 1 p.m. and ends with the Pride Parade that evening. The celebration boasts an attendance of more than 325,000 gays and allies. All these events and more at PrideHouston.org.
Galveston. Get sand in your swimsuit at Galveston Gay Beach Weekend on June 11. The beach destination has grown very gay- friendly over the last few years. While the beach is clearly the highlight of the city, the Pride doesn’t stop there. Make a weekend of it and see Sordid Lives at the Strand Theater on Friday with a Galveston Stonewall Democrats after-party. Misty Valdez’s 23rd Annual AIDS Benefit tour concludes Saturday night at Stars Beach Club. Finish off with a benefit champagne Sunday brunch at San Luis Resort with proceeds going to the Galveston AIDS Foundation. Galveston/gaycities.com.
Austin. On June 15, the capital observes queer history with the Stonewall Rally on the steps of the Capitol building. The Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation, Equality Texas, Transgender Education Network of Texas and other organizations will host guest speakers for the rally and climaxes with a drag-stravaganza right in front of Mr. Perry’s office. Well, it’s a nice thought. AustinPride.org.
San Antonio. Pride San Antonio closes National Pride with its June 29 Pride Bigger than Texas Parade and Block Party in Crockett Park at 8 p.m. The High-Heel Race starts the festivities and American Idol alum Josh “JDA” Davila headlines the night. PrideSanAntonio.org.
El Paso. With all due respect to the bigger Texas cities, El Paso might be the one to beat this year for Pride celebrations. They went full throttle with their schedule of events, running June 2-9. They begin with the Fifth Annual Art of Fashion show at Lotus followed by a screening of Any Day Now that will highlight Tuesday Movie Night. Pride kicks it into high gear with Thursday’s Launch Party at Epic, Friday’s Dance Party at Club Alive and Ride the Rainbow Pride Parade and Street Festival in Cleveland Square that includes Cazwell, Amanda LePore, Drag Race’s Pandora Boxx and Depeche Mode cover band Strangelove. And then they finish off with Sunday’s Pride “Out”ing at Wet N Wild. Search “El Paso Gay Pride” at Gaytravel.about.com for details.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 31, 2013.
— Rich Lopez
