Dallas Pride

Dallas Pride is an annual LGBTQ+ event held in Dallas, Texas, to promote LGBT rights and celebrate the city's diverse LGBT community. The event is organized by the Dallas Tavern Guild, a non-profit organization that aims to promote unity and support among LGBT individuals and LGBT-friendly businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The event has been supported by various LGBT organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and the National LGBTQ Task Force. Mayor of Dallas, Eric Johnson, has also shown his support for the event, along with other local leaders like Texas State Representative, Rafael Anchia.

● History

The history of Dallas Pride dates back to the 1970s, when the first gay pride parade was held in Dallas in 1972, organized by the Dallas Gay Alliance. The event was inspired by the Stonewall riots in New York City and aimed to promote LGBT rights and visibility in the Dallas community. Over the years, the event has grown in size and popularity, with support from local LGBT organizations, including the Resource Center, The Trevor Project, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The event has also been endorsed by prominent LGBT individuals, such as Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, and Lady Gaga. In recent years, Dallas Pride has been recognized as one of the largest and most popular LGBT events in the United States, attracting visitors from across the country, including Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago.

● Events

Dallas Pride features a range of events and activities, including a parade, festival, and various LGBT-themed events. The event kicks off with a pride flag-raising ceremony at the Dallas City Hall, followed by a parade through the streets of Dallas. The parade features floats, marching bands, and community groups, including the Dallas Police Department, Dallas Fire-Rescue, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The event also includes a festival with live music, food vendors, and LGBT-friendly businesses, such as Absolut Vodka, Bud Light, and Toyota. Other events include a 5K run, youth events, and a pet parade, which are supported by organizations like the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the Humane Society of the United States.

● Parade

The parade is one of the main attractions of Dallas Pride, featuring a colorful procession of floats, marching bands, and community groups. The parade route runs through the streets of Dallas, passing by iconic landmarks like the Reunion Tower, AT&T Stadium, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The parade is led by the Dallas Pride grand marshals, who are chosen for their contributions to the LGBT community. Past grand marshals have included LGBT activists, such as Cleve Jones, Phyllis Lyon, and Del Martin. The parade also features performances by local LGBT artists, including drag queens, musicians, and dancers, who have been supported by organizations like the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Three, and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

● Festival

The festival is a two-day event that takes place in the Fair Park area of Dallas. The festival features live music performances by local and national LGBT artists, including Adam Lambert, Todrick Hall, and Shangela Laquifa Wadley. The event also includes a range of food vendors, offering everything from traditional Texas barbecue to vegan and gluten-free options, which are supported by organizations like the Texas Restaurant Association, Whole Foods Market, and the Dallas Farmers Market. The festival also features a range of LGBT-friendly businesses and organizations, including healthcare providers, financial services, and travel companies, such as United Airlines, American Airlines, and the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau.

● Organization

The Dallas Pride event is organized by the Dallas Tavern Guild, a non-profit organization that aims to promote unity and support among LGBT individuals and LGBT-friendly businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The organization is led by a board of directors, which includes representatives from local LGBT organizations, such as the Resource Center, The Trevor Project, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The organization works closely with local LGBT community leaders, including LGBT activists, business owners, and artists, to plan and execute the event, which is supported by organizations like the City of Dallas, Dallas County, and the Texas Department of Transportation. The organization also relies on volunteers and sponsors to help make the event a success, including AT&T, Bank of America, and the Dallas Mavericks. Category:LGBT events in the United States