|
|
|
News Blog ::
Michael Doughman |
Michael's NewsBlog
An informal update on what is happening with the
Dallas Tavern Guild and it's many community events.
Photos, commentary and information for our GLBT
community. |
 |
|
SUMMER IS ALMOST GONE!
I can’t believe
the year has flown by so fast. It’s almost Labor Day weekend
and the 2009 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade and Festival in Lee
Park is right around the corner. We are busy as little bees
here on the Steering Committee. So many details, so much
paperwork and so many technical issues to resolve so that you
can enjoy a great day of celebration and Pride.
In spite of a sluggish economy and a loss of corporate
sponsorship, we are planning what we hope will be another great
Pride week in Dallas. Festivities will start on Labor Day
weekend and continue to ramp up until we reach the actual week
of Pride, All the Tavern Guild clubs are planning events to
entertain the many visitors who will come to Dallas to celebrate
with us. We are also excited about the VIP’s that we will
recognize this year at Dallas Pride.
Our local Grand Marshals are two individuals who are certainly
deserving of the recognition. First is our Dallas County
Sheriff, Lupe Valdez. An amazing woman who has served her
country in the FBI, and law enforcement for many years and still
remains the only Hispanic female sheriff in America. We are so
very proud of her.
Our second Grand Marshal is Stonewall Democrat leader and
co-founder of Gay LULAC, Jesse Garcia. Jesse has long been an
advocate for equality, education to the masses and defense of
human rights on all levels. These two great people will get a
short but beloved moment in the bright Texas sunshine on Sunday,
September 20th in the 26th Edition of the
Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. We will also hear them speak to
the crowd at the Festival in Lee Park. We are blessed to have
them both and because of them, the North Texas area is a better
place to live.
Our Honorary Grand Marshal is a real living piece of GLBT
history. He is author, actor, playwright, and long-time AIDS
activist, Larry Kramer. With plays like “Faggots” and “The
Normal Heart” and his outspoken voice of gay men’s behavior in
the era of AIDS and HIV, Larry has been revered, criticized and
honored. He is particularly important to our history in this
the 40th anniversary of Stonewall as his voice has
been one of the loudest, strongest and most constant for over 30
years. He will also ride in the Parade and speak at the
Festival but he will also be the keynote speaker at the North
Texas GLBT Chamber’s annual Pride dinner on Monday, September 21st
at the Melrose Hotel. He will also be interviewed on the Derek
& Romaine Show; live from Sue Ellen’s on Friday, September 18th.
Don’t miss a chance to see and hear this great man.
We will also have in our city, Adam
Bouska and Jeff Parshley of the NoH8 Campaign. This project came to
life in the wake of Prop 8 in California as a peaceful, yet dynamic
way to speak out against hatred and prejudice. Adam, a famed
Hollywood photographer and his partner restaurateur, Jeff have been
photographing celebrities, politicians, and just average men, women
and children who believe in the NoH8 mission. They will bring an
exhibit to Dallas during Pride weekend and also do a photo shoot of
local folks to add to the national collection.
 |
 |
| Adam
Bouska |
Jeff
Parshley |
We hope you will agree that this is a great slate of people to add
to our own gifted community as we gather to celebrate once again. I
hope to see many of you on parade day or at the festival afterwards.
The reality of Dallas Pride is that without our major sponsors and
supporters, we would not be able to have this wonderful event. Ours
is still one of the only volunteer produced pride events with only
myself as the paid administrator. We have a great relationship with
the officials at City Hall, with our Dallas police officers and with
the fine folks at Lee Park and Arlington Hall. They support us each
year and we want to say thank you to each of them. As you see the
names of our sponsors and partners during pride, remember them and
make a conscious effort to support the businesses that support our
community. We need to give back to those who give to us.
The fall will hold some additional important events for the Tavern
Guild but at the moment we are solidly and singularly focused on
Dallas Pride and making sure you have the best time ever. The theme
this year is an appropriate one. “Your Rights, Our Rights, Human
Rights”. Take time to think of what price we have paid to achieve
what we have today and focus on how we can come together to move
even further ahead in regards to equality and respect for all
humankind.
Take care of yourselves, hug your loved ones and smile at someone
each day. Giving is the best high you can get and it costs so
little to do. Just a bit of time and thought each day and we can
all be on the way to a better place.
Thanks to all,
Michael Doughman
Executive Director, Dallas Tavern Guild
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
