Celebrations plan to educate, inform

By Alejandra Martinez/KERA News

In the city of Dallas, officials raised rainbow flags with the city seal at Dallas City Hall and city-operated buildings to mark the start of Pride Month, the annual nationwide celebration honoring the LGBTQ community and the individuals who fought for equality at the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. 

The city also issued a proclamation to officially mark the holiday. “It’s something that is going to be good for the city overall, to show what a welcoming city we are, but also to celebrate our vibrant and very organized and very strong LGBTQ+ community,” city council member Omar Narvaez said. He said this was a symbol that shows the city’s commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ residents.

Pride Month is a time to celebrate, educate and learn. Advocates say this is a time to foster community and express allyship. North Texas is kicking off Pride Month with an array of events. 

Dallas Pride 2021 — Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5 at 7 p.m. in the Fair Park Bandshell, 3809 Grand Ave. in Dallas. Rain or shine, Dallas Pride is back with a 2021 celebration this weekend with an outdoors, in-person, socially distant event. Tickets range from $15 to $65 and are on sale now. 

Pride Month with the Dallas Public Library — June 3-30 online. From Drag Queen story time to Pride Jeopardy and Queer reads book club, the Dallas Public Library is hosting a monthlong schedule of LGBTQ speakers, crafts and educational events for family and kids. They are all free.

Drag Brunch at Bishop Arts — Sunday, June 6 at 1:30 p.m. at The Trove, 320 West 7th St. in Dallas. The event, hosted by the nonprofit Legal Hospice of Texas, is kicking off Pride Month 2021 with a drag show, pancakes and bubbly drinks. The organization works to build community in which “people regardless of health or economic status have access to justice.” They are asking people to join them in solidarity. The event is $60 and includes the show, an entrée and two drinks.

“Por Maricon, The Measures and Violence of Masculinity” — June 5–Aug. 28 at the Latino Cultural Center. Tied deeply to Latinx roots and traditions, the exhibition “Por Maricon, The Measures and Violence of Masculinity” is an examination of masculinity and the violence it carries. The artwork by San Antonio-based Latinx artist Jose Villalobos takes a deep look at “dichos,” or sayings, and “consejos,” or advice, that elders pass on to youth that specifically reflect traditional Latinx values surrounding men and women. The work in this exhibition takes a closer look at how masculinity is instilled in men and highlights the many forms of violence that exist around homophobia, from physical to emotional and mental abuse.

Pride Party+ 2021 — June 18-20 in the Dallas Arts District, Virtual and In-Person events. The Dallas Arts District, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Dallas Museum of Art, and the Nasher Sculpture Center are celebrating Pride Party + 21 with a virtual kick-off on June 18. There will be self-guided tours of the museums, educational activities for kids, music and all weekend long pop-ups.

CommUNITY Picnic in Fort Worth — June 26 at 1 p.m. in Trinity Park, 2401 University Dr. in Fort Worth. Families are welcomed to LGBTQ SAVES’ First Annual Youth Pride Picnic. This is the first year the nonprofit unites to celebrate Pride month with LGBTQ+ youth and their families. The group focuses on providing “safe and brave spaces for social and personal development of LGBTQ youth.” They will have a slew of activities including a water balloon fight, tie dye station and tug-of-war. Attendance and food are free. They are asking attendees to RSVP on eventbrite.com to ensure they have enough supplies. 

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