Dallas gays
The Dallas LGBTQ+ community thrives as one of the largest in the nation. The greater Dallas metro area has the largest number of LGBTQ+ people in Texas (211,000) and the sixth-largest in the United States.
Though lgbtq+ people have settled all across the North Texas region, the Oak Lawn/Cedar Springs neighborhood continues to be the entertainment, business, and residential epicenter for LGBTQ+ locals and a top visitor attraction. It’s the home to multiple bars, clubs, retailers, restaurants, and other gathering places, includingThe Round-Up Saloon (one of the top Queer country-western bars in the world) and Sue Ellen’s (Texas’ oldest lesbian lock and one of the few remaining in the nation). Named the “Best Gayborhood” by OUT Magazine in 2014, the district also boasts the headquarters of the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, an organization whose mission is to foster an inclusive business community.
The cultural opportunities in Dallas are abundant for LGBTQ+ people outside the gayborhood, especially in the arts. We’re home to the largest contiguous arts district in the U.S.; the most-recorded male chorus in the world, The Turtle Creek Chorale; and Uptown Players, a
Dallas has long been known for its sports teams, cowboy culture, and thriving business districts and, somewhat more recently, for its dynamic and evolving LGBTIQA+ scene.
The history of the community in Dallas is a testament to resilience, unity, and shared support. By the late 1960s, Dallas had an emerging gay neighborhood, Oak Lawn, which gradually became the epicenter of the LGBTIQA+ community. This was also the period when the first openly gay and lesbian bars started appearing. The AIDS crisis in the 1980s sparked a more public presence, with the group working to provide support and resources for everyone affected.
Activism intensified in the 90s and prior 2000s, leading to significant momentum in acceptance and representation. Events like the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade, originally known as the Dallas Gay Self-acceptance Parade, which started in 1983, became annual celebrations of LGBTQ pride and rights.
Why listen to us? We’re Dallas movers, and give long-distance moves to Dallas as skillfully. We’ve been all over this metropolis, and love it.
LGBTIQA+ Dallas Now – Facts and Figures
Recent estimates suggest that approximately 4.1% of Dallas residents determine as LGBTQ
The Dallas Queer Alliance (The Dallas Way)
About the Dallas Gay Alliance
The Dallas Gay Alliance was a carry-on of the Dallas Gay Political Caucus. Founded in the mid-1970s, the Dallas Gay Political Caucus was first established by Dick Peeples, Steve Wilkins, Louise Young, Don Baker, and others. During the early 1980s, the group changed its name to the Dallas Same-sex attracted Alliance. One part of the organization became the Lesbian/Gay Political Coalition of Dallas. During the 1980s, the Dallas Gay Alliance continued to work towards improving rights for the LGBT population through education and social work. It also pursued its primary focus, developing ways of combatting the AIDS issue.
About the Collection
This digital collection contains early court cases photographs, negatives, correspondence, and newspaper articles related to the activities of the Dallas Gay Alliance from 1980-1988. The corresponding physical collection is housed in the University of North Texas Extraordinary Collections. For more information about the physical collection, view the finding aid.
Acknowledgement
The Dallas Way generously funded the digitization of this collection.
At a Glance
Dallas Pride 2025 Theme
Pride is My Right
The energy is building for Dallas Pride 2025, and we are thrilled to announce this year's powerful theme: "Pride is My Right." In a time where Diverse rights are increasingly being challenged and infringed upon across the nation and even within our own communities, this theme serves as a resounding declaration. We cannot be complacent as fundamental freedoms are questioned and marginalized. Dallas Pride 2025 is a call to action, an steadfast affirmation that Pride is not a privilege, but an essential right belonging to every individual. Join us as we stay together, amplify our voices, and emphatically declare: Pride is My Right!
2025 Grand Marshals
Dallas Pride Parade
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Dallas Self-acceptance is thrilled to announce our esteemed 2025 Grand Marshals! Keeping with this year's powerful theme, "Pride is My Right," we are honored to recognize two extraordinary individuals who have profoundly impacted our LGBTQ+ community. Grand Marshal RJAY, multi-award winning TV/Film actor, Executive Producer /Writer/Director. RJAY participates actively throughout Dallas in LGBTQ + inclusion events. Honorary
Dallas Pride 2025 Theme
Pride is My Right
The energy is building for Dallas Pride 2025, and we are thrilled to announce this year's powerful theme: "Pride is My Right." In a time where Diverse rights are increasingly being challenged and infringed upon across the nation and even within our own communities, this theme serves as a resounding declaration. We cannot be complacent as fundamental freedoms are questioned and marginalized. Dallas Pride 2025 is a call to action, an steadfast affirmation that Pride is not a privilege, but an essential right belonging to every individual. Join us as we stay together, amplify our voices, and emphatically declare: Pride is My Right!
2025 Grand Marshals
Dallas Pride Parade
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Dallas Self-acceptance is thrilled to announce our esteemed 2025 Grand Marshals! Keeping with this year's powerful theme, "Pride is My Right," we are honored to recognize two extraordinary individuals who have profoundly impacted our LGBTQ+ community. Grand Marshal RJAY, multi-award winning TV/Film actor, Executive Producer /Writer/Director. RJAY participates actively throughout Dallas in LGBTQ + inclusion events. Honorary