Dallas Celebrates a Second Pride As Texas LGBTQ+ Rights Come Under Fire
A visiting Los Angeles Blade writer spends fall Pride weekend in the city's Oak Lawn gayborhood
Editor's note: This story comes to us from Joel Medina of the Los Angeles Blade, who covered Dallas' fall Pride weekend after the National LGBT Media Association, of which Pride Source is a member, held its annual meeting in the city with support from Visit Dallas. Member publications across the country are running it this month, and we think Michigan readers will appreciate a glimpse of queer Texans celebrating loudly in a tough political moment.
Pride arrived for a second time this year in Dallas, Texas, with the local community coming together for a few more days to uplift their LGBTQ+ neighbors.
It was a weekend of fun inclusivity that this city is no stranger to; Dallas currently boasts the sixth-largest population of LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. While Texas at large has dealt with many discriminatory attacks, this city hasn’t faltered in showing off its unabashed pride. It isn’t without battle scars, of course, but this was a chance to remind not only residents, but the entire country: we are still here. Dallas’ LGBTQ+ population is currently louder and prouder than ever. And, as any of the many attendees will tell you, they plan to only get stronger — and so much more queer — every single day.
While the weekend was stacked with a myriad of activities, ranging from charity drag shows to mural unveilings, the true highlight of the weekend was Oak Lawn Live. Inspired by Market Days — an annual Chicago festival where a chunk of the city becomes a queer street fair— the Cedar Springs Merchant Association developed this event as a sprawling sign of support for the local LGBTQ+ population. Hosted in the ‘gayborhood’ of Oak Lawn, it featured multiple streets of vendors, special deals from the area’s many eateries, and performances from pop stars like Daya. Even under the day’s intense heat, these streets were filled with attendees excited to flaunt their pride, with Volunteer Organizer Peter Pepper emphasizing, “This event brings the community together and reminds people: [Oak Lawn] is not just a bunch of bars. This gay neighborhood exists as a place where people can feel safe. And so, above anything else, this event is meant to remind people that we exist as a gayborhood, and that we are here for people. It’s entertainment, it’s safety, it’s community, and it’s diversity.”
It was a mission that showed in every moment of Oak Lawn Live, whether you were fighting the heat while dancing at its many stages or keeping cool with friends at one of the participating restaurants. It was those restaurants, in fact, that revealed one of the best parts of this Pride In Dallas: how amazing it was for the local economy. Because while other celebrations would have nearby establishments shut down for the day, all the ones around Oak Lawn joined in on the LGBTQ+-themed festivities with fun deals and activations. This was by design, said Lee Daugherty, owner of the Oak Lawn bar ‘Alexandre’s’ and member of the Cedar Springs Merchant Association. He explained, “The merchant association is designed to encourage economic impact.”
“Not only to promote economic activity, but to make sure that businesses are promoted,” the man continued. “So they can reinvest in the community and stay here. Because a vacant storefront helps no one.” He detailed how queer residents have always shaped Dallas’ economy, one that the Association works to make inclusive and sustainable for all. It was a fact that made the entire celebration all the more meaningful, with folks understanding how the fun of this weekend would translate into better finances for queer people across the city.
All of this combined to make the Saturday of Pride In Dallas a bright day for the countless LGBTQ+ folks in attendance. It was so exuberant, in fact, that even out-of-towners could feel it, with one of those being the iconic podcast host herself, TS Madison. Pride In Dallas power partner Unleashed LGBTQ+, run by Wesley Smoot, arranged this fun podcast taping.
The trans actress and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge stopped by the celebration for a live taping of her renowned podcast, Outlaws, where she interviewed many of Dallas’ drag royalty. Known for her cutting honesty, it didn’t take long for TS to call out the elephant in the room — namely, how Texas has seen numerous attacks against the LGBTQ+ community in recent months.
For non-locals, it may seem strange to have so many folks partying while there were active fights against their rights happening across the state. But Madison understood the importance of moments like these even amidst hardship, stressing, “There’s been so much going on, but we’re still here, celebrating pride…that means a lot to me, because what it lets me know is: our fight will never stop. We will never stop resisting. In the face of this political climate, in the face of turmoil, we will never, ever stop existing.”
With those words, she aptly characterized the joyous strength that came out in full force for Sunday’s Cedar Springs Pride Parade. While it only took up two streets — there was a larger parade hosted earlier this year — these blocks were packed with LGBTQ+ and allied locals alike. They all gathered behind the barricades, whooping in joy and stretching out their hands to the cavalcade of groups rolling by only a few feet away from them, with this parade perfectly encapsulating the communal joy of this city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
Suffice it to say, this past Pride In Dallas was one of the city’s best LGBTQ+ celebrations yet. It was a weekend of fun, of laughter, and an important reminder of the strength that happens when we join together. Because Dallas knows that things aren’t easy right now. But as long as we take the time for moments like this and remind ourselves why we continue to fight, this city, and the historic queerness it holds, will always be here — standing Texas strong.
Special thanks to Virgin Hotel Dallas for the perfect stay. From check-in to check-out, it was true style!
The National LGBT Media Association represents 13 legacy publications in major markets across the country with a collective readership of more than 400K in print and more than 1 million + online. Learn more here.
What to know at a glance
Why did Dallas have a second Pride this year?
Dallas held a fall Pride weekend in addition to its larger celebration earlier in the year. The fall events centered on the Oak Lawn gayborhood and included charity drag shows, mural unveilings, the Oak Lawn Live festival and the Cedar Springs Pride Parade.
What is Oak Lawn Live?
Oak Lawn Live is a street festival created by the Cedar Springs Merchant Association and inspired by Chicago's Market Days. It filled multiple streets with vendors, restaurant deals and performances from pop stars like Daya in Dallas' Oak Lawn neighborhood, long a hub for the city's Cedar Springs street party tradition.
Who is TS Madison and what did she say in Dallas?
TS Madison is a trans actress, podcast host and "RuPaul's Drag Race" judge. She taped a live episode of her podcast "Outlaws" with Dallas drag performers and said the community will never stop resisting or existing despite the state's political climate.
Why is a Michigan LGBTQ+ outlet running a story about Dallas?
The story came from Joel Medina of the Los Angeles Blade after the National LGBT Media Association, which includes Pride Source, held its annual meeting in Dallas with support from Visit Dallas. Member publications across the country are running the piece this month.
Get Pride Source in your inbox
Michigan LGBTQ+ news, arts and community, free once a week.
It’s free, and you can unsubscribe any time (privacy policy).
Read More
Curtis Renee, Detroit Organizer for Black and Queer Liberation, to Be Remembered Oct. 11
Curtis Renee's family and friends will gather Sunday, Oct. 11, to celebrate their life, joined by a wide circle of Detroiters still grieving the organizer [...]Read more about Curtis Renee, Detroit Organizer for Black and Queer Liberation, to Be Remembered Oct. 11
Meet Angelica Robinson, Detroit Police Department’s New LGBTQ+ Liaison
Angelica Robinson, a Detroit police corporal, knows what it means to build relationships. After more than three decades in law enforcement, the bisexual Detroit [...]Read more about Meet Angelica Robinson, Detroit Police Department’s New LGBTQ+ Liaison
Title IX Must Be Destroyed in the Name of Saving Women and Girls from Sports
The first time I heard the words “Title Nine” I was in junior high. It was the ’90s, and those two words together had no meaning to me. One could argue that my [...]Read more about Title IX Must Be Destroyed in the Name of Saving Women and Girls from Sports
Noah Arbit, Mark Bernstein Join ‘Nonnegotiable’ Jewish Democrats With Policy Demands for El-Sayed
Seventeen additional members of the Michigan Democratic Party on Tuesday joined a growing roster of Jewish voters who say they still have concerns about [...]Read more about Noah Arbit, Mark Bernstein Join ‘Nonnegotiable’ Jewish Democrats With Policy Demands for El-Sayed
Lil Nas X Was Thankfully Not Shy Last Night During the BET Awards
Lil Nas X capped off Pride Month with a captivating performance of his hit song "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" on the BET Awards last night. In a nod to [...]Read more about Lil Nas X Was Thankfully Not Shy Last Night During the BET Awards
Outed on the Job: Lesbian Prison Officer Sues Michigan Prison System Following 'Horrible' Harassment
A former correctional officer with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) is suing that agency. Bridget Cadena's lawsuit focuses on harassment she says [...]Read more about Outed on the Job: Lesbian Prison Officer Sues Michigan Prison System Following 'Horrible' Harassment
More in Pride 2026
Every Box Tells a Story at This Ferndale Pride Fundraiser
If you handed a dozen Southeast Michigan artists a plain cigar box and told them to make something, you'd get a dozen completely different answers, and [...]Read more about Every Box Tells a Story at This Ferndale Pride Fundraiser
Alise King on Performing Pride and Finding Her Voice as a Queer Black Woman
Before the first note lands, Alise King is already doing something arguably even harder than singing — she’s reading the room. A Detroit vocalist rooted in [...]Read more about Alise King on Performing Pride and Finding Her Voice as a Queer Black Woman
2026 Michigan LGBTQ+ Pride Fest List
Michigan's 2026 Pride Festival season in simple list format, brought to you by Pride Source:Find expanded listings here. MaySaturday, May 17Hazel Park [...]Read more about 2026 Michigan LGBTQ+ Pride Fest List
Your 2026 Michigan LGBTQ+ Pride Calendar
It’s Pride time again, beloved LGBTQ+ folks and queers of every (and any!) gender.And yes, we know — you are, in fact, proud all year ’round. But there is [...]Read more about Your 2026 Michigan LGBTQ+ Pride Calendar
