Category Archives: Gay Texas
Zakar Twins with Drag Queen Christmas Tour and More!
I can’t remember exactly how I stumbled upon the Zakar Twins, but I found them on Instagram and have been a loyal follower, watching their careers soar for over 1 year now! Their best-selling book “Pray The Gay Away” came out in the Fall of 2017. That’s probably about the time I first discovered them.
These young gay models, writers, entrepreneurs, leaders in the LGBTQ+ community, and lovable goofballs Michael and Zach Zakar are known not only for their identical good looks but for trailblazing a path forward for queer people who come from Near and Middle Eastern cultures. As smart as they are funny, their memoir last year is a dual-account tragicomedy about growing up with deeply religious Iraqi immigrant parents.
“Mom knows.” A simple text that would change two twin brothers’ lives forever. Coming out is hard. The struggle is ongoing, a daily part of life whether to a new friend, a co-worker, or most importantly yourself. Pray the Gay Away chronicles Michael and Zach as they face awkward sexual encounters, drug-fueled escapades, coming out to each other, and their biggest foe – Mom, a woman who not only gave birth to what she calls one regret – but two.
The memoir hilariously and poignantly explores what it’s like growing up as gay, Iraqi twins in modern America. Pray the Gay Away was inspired the night Mom snuck into their bedroom and force fed them “holy grapes,” determined to “de-gay” them. She threw Holy Water on them as well!
The Zakar Twins are new voices speaking out against generations, particularly within the Iraqi culture, who look down on being gay. This book is not only for the LBGTQ community, but for young adults, looking to achieve normalcy.
“The book started kind of as a hateful thing. We wrote it because we were angry that our Mom reacted in such a demeaning way,” Zach said. “Then, over time, the project, it really resulted in kind of a beautiful thing. We were growing with the book, it was growing with us.”
Currently they are on tour with Drag Queen Christmas – The Naughty Tour! 37 cities now through Dec 29th! Presented by Murray & Peter. They will be heading South and West in the coming weeks. Get specific city and tour info at www.DragFans.com.
Their Mom has come a long way to acceptance and actually attended the show in Detroit! Her first drag show ever!
I am told that the producers, Murray and Peter are helping to bring their book to Off Broadway, hopefully in time for Pride 2019!
Recently the brothers relased a calendar for 2019. Defiance: taking a stance on changing the world’s conservative view on what it means to be gay in the Middle Eastern world. Shot by Dexter Brown.
“Everyone has their own unique story. Fortunately for us, we just wrote ours down,” Zach said with a laugh. “The book is done, but it’s not finished. We’re writing two more books about different things.”
Buy the BOOK and CALENDAR Here.
Get to know Michael and Zach with their great YouTube videos!
ZT on Instagram
ZT on Facebook
ZT on Twitter
ZT My Twin Chat App – a way to communicate with others who might be struggling with coming out or just needing someone to talk to. Many people coming out usually feel like they are the only one. So this app is a support system for those scared to talk to a stranger or a close friend.
“You cannot forget the bigger picture. It feels like life is caving in to a lot of people when it first happens. I think that’s one of the scariest things. Because all I was worried about, was when you grow up, there’s so much involved in the bigger picture,” Michael said. “That’s what I tell people, just realize there is light at the end of the tunnel even if it feels almost impossible.”
Drag Festival in Austin Texas
200 performers on 7 stages in 3 nights!
The mission of Austin International Drag Foundation Inc. is to educate, support and promote the drag artist community. We do this by providing resources and opportunities for individuals seeking to further their careers through showcases, festivals, and various other mediums. As a result of this mission, the general public is further educated about the drag community.
“I am creating the Austin International Drag Festival because I absolutely adore the Drag community. Drag artists play such an important part in our lives, whether you know it or not. They raise millions of dollars for charity. They expand our view of art through amazing creative performances. They also create conversation about gender roles in society. The world would be a pretty boring place without our Queens and Kings.
I am creating the Austin International Drag Festival because it is the right thing to do and the right time to do it. The world is ready for a festival of this magnitude. I want to make sure that those drag performers that work hard at their art everyday are given the chance to be seen by the largest possible audience that I can bring to them.
For 3 days in May of 2015, Austin, Texas will become
Truly and Humbly Yours,
Jamie Steward Bancroft
Houston Texas Gayborhood Montrose
After recent shootings and killings in the gay neighborhood MONTROSE, in Houston Texas, locals are fighting back.
The LGBT community has had enough. MyFoxHouston.com reports:
Their signs made the message clear. It’s time to “take back Montrose.” Brad Janacek organized dozens of concerned Montrose residents Friday night to peacefully protest at the intersection of Westheimer and Montrose. They’re asking The Houston Police Department for more police presence in the area. “We’re fed up as a community and I don’t live here anymore because of the crime,” said Janacek. …
Protester Bobby Lowe thinks the LGBTQ community should be worried and not just about these latest violent incidents, but about a perceived uptick in car burglaries and thefts.
“I think it’s about gay people being targeted. They’re coming here for a reason and the reason is because gay people, [criminals] feel like their easier targets,” said Lowe.
Police plan to increase their presence – while most of Houston does not seem to really care and no one has reported on the upswing of shootings, except Fox.
Ru Pauls Drag Race Tour
IT’S ABOUT TO GET REAL BITCHES!
RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of The Seasons “Condragulations” Tour in a city near YOU, featuring a night of show-stopping performances by the world’s most talented drag performers, including winners and fan favorites from Logo TV’s hit series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Over 40 cities in the US, Canada and Europe. The largest drag tour in history!
Adore Delano, Alaska 5000, Ben Dela Crème, Bianca Del Rio, Courtney Act, Darienne Lake, Detox, Ivy Winters, Jiggly Caliente, Jinkx Monsoon, Manila Luzon, Pandora Boxx, Phi Phi O’Hara, Raja and Sharon Needles. Plus Special Guest Cary NoKey and host Michelle Visage. (Lineup varies by city and is subject to change.)
February 1-April 13, 2015. CHECK CITIES AND TICKETS!
Gay Pride 2014 is Coming ! To a City Near You!
GAY PRIDE IS COMING! Over the next 6 months, gay prides will be happening coast to coast!
PHOENIX PRIDE April 5-6, 2014
MIAMI PRIDE April 11-13
TOKYO PRIDE April 27rh
SAO PAULO PRIDE May 4th, 2014 – the BIGGEST in the WORLD
NEW JERSEY PRIDE June 1st, 2014
LOS ANGELES PRIDE June 6th-8th
MILWAUKEE WI Pride June 6th-8th
CAPITAL PRIDE DC June 6th-8th
DETROIT PRIDE June 7th-8th
HONOLULU PRIDE June 7th
PHILADELPHIA PRIDE June 8th
BOSTON PRIDE June 8th-16th
KEY WEST PRIDE June 11th-15th 2014
NASHVILLE PRIDE June 12th-14th
SITGES SPAIN PRIDE June 12th-16th
PITTSBURGH PRIDE June 14th-15th
BERLIN PRIDE June 14th-15th
OSLO PRIDE June 20th-29th
HOUSTON GAY PRIDE June 20th-29th
TORONTO PRIDE June 20th-29th – BIGGEST in NORTH AMERICA!
PLUS in 2014, Toronto will actually be WORLD PRIDE with even BIGGER crowds
RHODE ISLAND / PROVIDENCE PRIDE June 21st
NEW YORK CITY PRIDE June 24th-29th
TAMPA FL PRIDE June 27th-29th
PARIS PRIDE June 28th
LONDON PRIDE June 28th
MINNEAPOLIS PRIDE June 28th-29th
CHICAGO PRIDE FEST June 21st – 22nd
(they are trying to fill in the days in between to make a full week of pride)
CHICAGO PRIDE June 29th
SEATTLE GAY PRIDE June 29th
MADRID PRIDE July 2nd-6th
COLOGNE GERMANY PRIDE July 6th
SAN DIEGO PRIDE July 18th-20th
STOCKHOLM PRIDE July 28th – Aug. 2nd
MONTREAL PRIDE July July 28th-Aug. 3rd
AMSTERDAM PRIDE August 1st-3rd – with floats on the canal!
ANTWERP PRIDE August 4th-11th
REYKJAVIK PRIDE August 5th-10th
CHICAGO MARKET DAYS – August 9th-10th (not really pride – but a big party!)
OTTAWA PRIDE August 15th-24th
PRAGUE PRIDE August 11th-17th
COPENHAGEN PRIDE August 26th-31st
ATLANTA PRIDE August 27th-Sept. 1st
SOUTHERN DECADENCE – August 27th-September 1 (not really pride – but a big party)
LAS VEGAS PRIDE September 2nd-8th
AUSTIN TX PRIDE September 20th
DALLAS PRIDE September 21st
MAUI HAWAII October 4th-5th
GAY PRIDE is a time of celebration and with that, usually comes some drinking. MAKE SURE YOU DRINK WATER AS WELL! Keep yourself hydrated! You don’t want to go to the hospital with your boa and go go shorts on! (poor guy!)
Houston Employees Win Battle for Benefits
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Texas face legal challenges and discrimination not faced by other people.
– Just last week a gay couple was pulled from the dance floor of the Cactus Canyon and told that club policy prohibits gay couples from dancing to
country music. Justin Meyer, 21, and James Douglas, 30, had already
danced several songs without incident, but a manager intervened when the
music switched to Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels.”
But when the city of Houston tried to ignore Federal law and denied spousal benefits for LGBT couples, Mayor Annise Parker spoke up and victory prevailed.
Lone Star Q reports:
U.S.
District Judge Lee Rosenthal considered the request after the case was
moved from state court to federal court by the defendants — Mayor Annise
Parker and the city of Houston.
Harris County GOP Chair Jared Woodfill, on behalf of taxpayers Jack Pidgeon and Larry Hicks, sued
Parker and the city in December after she extended benefits to the same-sex spouses of city employees who are legally married in other states.
State District Judge Lisa Millard, a Republican, issued a
restraining order halting the benefits, before the city moved the case
to federal court, where Woodfill sought another restraining order.
Following a lengthy hearing on Thursday afternoon in Houston, Rosenthal
denied the request.
Dallas Gay pride 2012
The DALLAS Gay Pride Parade and Festival will happen September 16, 2012.
The Alan Ross Texas Freedom
Parade. Our 29th Edition.
PRIDE LINKS US TOGETHER
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 – 2:00 pm
Cedar Springs Road, from Wycliff Avenue to Lee Park
(Turtle Creek Blvd.)
Join us for the 29th Annual Alan Ross
Texas Freedom Parade. A day to celebrate our community,
our diversity and our unity. Come help us show that Pride
truly does link us together. Street closes at 12 Noon.
Parade steps off at 2 pm Don’t miss this great
celebration!
The Festival in Lee Park. Our 29th Edition.
PRIDE LINKS US TOGETHER
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 – Noon to 8:00 pm
Lee Park – Turtle Creek Blvd. @ Lemmon Avenue.
Celebrate Pride at this great annual
Festival with food, beverages, live entertainment all
day, arts and artists, vendors, prizes, an awards
ceremony and many VIP guests. Park opens at 12 noon.
Dallas Purple Party May 4th-6th 2012
Established in 2001, Purple Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,
all-volunteer organization whose mission is to raise funds to improve
the lives of people in the Dallas area who are living with or are
affected by HIV/AIDS. With donated proceeds of more than $400,000,
Purple Foundation has become an invaluable source of revenue for local
charity organizations whose work reflects their mission.
Purple Foundation produces the annual Purple Party® Weekend in addition
to other fundraising events throughout the year. Purple Party Weekend is
a sensational weekend of dance events featuring electrifying visual
performances and music by the world’s most popular DJs. Purple Party
attracts dance-music lovers from all over the world and is one of the
largest nonprofit, all-volunteer charity dance fundraisers in the United
States.
5 big parties – and it’s still very affordable with $140 weekend passes. Some cities get get up to $140 for their main event!
This year Dallas welcomes RuPaul’s Drag Race superstars Manila Luzon & Sahara Davenport! Who will perform in the famous Rose Room during Ignite,
the Purple Party Weekend opening party!
They’ll be joining the fabulous Rose Room cast for this extra special event benefiting AIDS Services of Dallas. Purple Party Weekend starts with Ignite at Station 4 with DJs Joe Gauthreaux and Paul McElroy. Joe Gauthreaux is one of the country’s most popular DJs, headlining events such as White Party Week, Winter Party Festival, The Zoo Party, Halloween in New Orleans, and of course The Purple Party in 2010.
Station 4 is one of the largest nightclubs in Texas, comprising 24,000 square feet of multilevel dance space, the Southwest’s premiere show bar for gender illusion, and an enormous outdoor patio. The Rose Room Theatre and Lounge are located upstairs at Station 4. It also has one of the most impressive intelligent-lighting and laser systems in the country. This is one incredible start to an amazing weekend!
Dallas is an awesome city with so much to see and do – spend a week if you can.
They have amazing nightlife, it’s a great city full of top-notch restaurants and cultural events. If you are planning to visit an extraordinary place, then Dallas can prove to be an exciting choice for you. When it is about gay Dallas, then gay nightlife is an area in which Dallas shines. Residents and travelers alike love the fact that many of Dallas’ premier gay bars and clubs can be found on the Cedar Springs strip, all within walking distance!
DALLAS PURPLE PARTY
Dallas Tavern Guild
For better knowledge on how to plan your trip and what to expect from gay travel in Dallas, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau is your one-stop resource. In no time, you can find out about all the major destinations, great deals on flights and even better hotel packages.
To assist with your planning, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau also launched a Web site specifically for GLBT travelers. GLBTDallas offers full information about gay Dallas, the community, entertainment, dining, accommodations, and all the major shopping hotspots. GLBTDallas also highlights key gayborhoods such as Oak Lawn and the Bishop Arts District.
When first launched a few years ago, GLBTDallas was the first gay travel site operated by any city! There are several reasons why GLBTDallas continues to set benchmarks and provide indispensable information for your trip. There are some of the features on the basis of which you can give consideration to this site when you are looking about gay travel and other features of Dallas.
1) Personalized Itinerary: gay travelers can create their own personalized itinerary that includes hotels, venues, restaurants, and events of interest. While browsing the site, adding something to your itinerary is as simple as clicking the “Add to Itinerary” button.
2) Fully informative: this is another remarkable feature associated with GLBTDallas. The Web site will provide you with the full knowledge about gay Dallas and all the upcoming events in the area. Going for the calendar of events offered by the site, you can make the best use of free time available in your trip.
3) Fully dedicated: when it is about gay travel or all the special events organized in Dallas you can make a good use of information offered by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Web site will provide you best travel deals making gay Dallas one of your most memorable vacations.
Gay Texas Couple Survive Italian Cruise Ship Disaster
A gay couple from Austin, Texas, were among those who survived the sinking of
the Costa Concordia cruise ship off the coast of Italy over the weekend.
Blake Miller, left, and Steve Garcia. It was both men’s first cruise and Miller’s first time in Europe. They
told the Today show on Sunday they had been to one of the ship’s bars
and were planning on going to another when the ship started to list.
After they went back to their cabin, they heard a horrible scraping
sound. Fortunately the couple had read about the location of the
lifeboats. – See why it is important to pay attention to safety features?!
Read more at Dallas Voice
*The captain of the ship is being
interrogated by prosecutors and a judge will decide on whether to keep
him under arrest for allegedly abandoning the vessel before rescue
efforts ended.
Cptn. Francesco Schettino was ordered by a Coast Guard official to return to the cruise
liner to help with rescue efforts about three hours after the accident,
according to audio of telephone conversations between them posted on
daily Corriere della Sera’s website today.
Schettino didn’t return to the ship and took a taxi on Giglio before
being arrested, media including Sky TG24 said. He is accused of
manslaughter and abandoning the Costa Concordia when passengers were
still on board “since we know he was in the harbor about midnight,”
Francesco Verusio, chief prosecutor in Grosseto, said in a Jan. 15
interview. He is also accused of causing the accident that left at least
six people dead.
Houston and Dallas Texas Gay and LGBT Events in October
Saturday Oct. 8, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Sycamore Heights Bed & Breakfast, 245 W 18th St. Details. Sunday, Oct. 9, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Jones Plaza, 600 Louisiana Ave. Details. Saturday, October, 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cherryhurst Park, 2601 Windsor St. Details. Out & Equal Annual Summit: 25-28 October in Dallas, USA. The Summit boasts more than 2,300 attendees who participate in more than 125 workshops and caucuses all designed to create an inclusive workplace. The Summit justly deserves its international reputation as the premier conference on LGBT issues in the workplace. Outandequal.org/annual-summit
People from across Texas and beyond will converge in Houston this October to celebrate National Coming Out Day with several key events.
The weekend of October 8 and 9 will be packed with celebrations geared toward every taste. And it’s a great time of year to visit the nation’s fourth-largest city.
THEN IN DALLAS –
BestGayCities.com
Dallas Gay Pride Sept. 18th
Dallas gay pride parade celebrates theme ‘It only gets better’ !
The Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. Our 28th Edition.
Sunday, September 18. Parade steps off at 2:00 pm.
This year’s theme is “It Only Gets Better”.
Multiple announcer’s stands along the route.
Special Guest VIP Ben Cohen , English Rugby Star STAND UP FOUNDATION
The Parade travels down Cedar Springs Road from Wycliff Avenue to Lee Park on Turtle Creek Blvd. Entries line up on Wycliff Avenue. Festival right after parade!
GET ALL THE DETAILS ONLINE!
Sunday, September 18. Parade steps off at 2:00 pm.
This year’s theme is “It Only Gets Better”.
Multiple announcer’s stands along the route.
Special Guest VIP Ben Cohen , English Rugby Star STAND UP FOUNDATION
The Parade travels down Cedar Springs Road from Wycliff Avenue to Lee Park on Turtle Creek Blvd. Entries line up on Wycliff Avenue. Festival right after parade!
GET ALL THE DETAILS ONLINE!
GOING DOWN IN LA LA LAND with Casper Andreas and Matthew Ludwinski
Film in 2011 is
GOING DOWN IN LA LA LAND!
Director Casper Andreas makes a departure from his previous films with “Going Down in La La Land”. It’s an adaptation of Andy Zeffer’s “slightly autobiographical” novel. Andreas is best known for his comedies “Slutty Summer” and “A Four Letter Word.”
A true New Yorker he captures the spirit of that city. He makes entertaining films that just so happen to be gay. They explore love and relationships with hilarious dialogue and a sense of whimsy and delight without leaning on typical gay tropes like gratuitous nudity and bad acting.
Not only is “Going Down in La La Land” set in Los Angeles but it also veers a little darker than Andreas’ earlier films. Adam (Matthew Ludwinski) is the epitome of “fresh meat.” He moves to LA with no job, headshot or clue. His best friend Candy (Allison Lane) is an aspiring actress who is a little long in the tooth but not lacking in enthusiasm. Unable to keep a job, he is lured into the world of porn by a sweet-talking photographer (Casper Andreas). He soon begins escorting and quickly falls in love with a high profile sitcom star John (Michael Medico). Life get dark fast and quickly slips out of his control.
Despite the somewhat dark themes of escorting and crystal meth abuse, there are some funny and delightful moments of the film. Andreas manages to capture the spirit of living in Los Angeles and its stunning and eccentric inhabitants. There’s hope and pathos in people trying their damndest to make a name for themselves. Like the source material, the film doesn’t give you what you would expect and has surprising and even tender fairy tale moments. There are even a few bitchy soap operatic lines just for good measure.
Ludwinski is realistic as the attractive yet simple goober that is easily led into a world of porn, drugs and prostitution. Andreas shows his acting versatility with his realistic and eerie portrayal of a crystal meth addict. The star of the film is by far Allison Lane who steals every scene as the definitive deluded actress. She’s willing to do anything to pay her rent and to make it in Hollywood except get a job. Embrem Pictures regular Jesse Archer makes a departure from his fun and frisky Luke character to play Adam’s bitchy boss Matthew. However, sadly he is not around half as much as he needed. There are also hilarious cameos by Judy Tenuta, Perez Hilton, Bruce Villanch and Alec Mapa.
WATCH FOR IT IN THE COMING WEEKS –
May 7 The Boston LGBT Film Festival
(Andreas to attend)
May 12 The Rainbow Film Festival in Honolulu
OPENING NIGHT
(Star Matthew Ludwinski
& co-star Alec Mapa to attend)
May 25-31 Mix Milano Film Festival, Italy.
June 2-4 QCinema, Fort Worth (Andreas to attend)
More dates announced soon!
BestGayCities
Gay Dallas Gears up For SuperBowl XLV Parties
A-list Celebrities, Star Athletes, Musicians and DJs will Come Together for Three Nights of VIP Parties, February 3-5, 2011
As the countdown begins to the first-ever Super Bowl in North Texas, XLV Party is gearing up with the announcement of its spectacular events. For three consecutive nights, XLV Party at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas’ historic Fair Park will showcase some of the hottest stars in the entertainment world to host the biggest celebrity-driven party in Dallas. Beginning Thursday, February 3, 2011, America’s Sassiest Lifestyle Guru, Steve Kemble, will host elite guests to Belvedere Vodka and Moet & Chandon Champagne’s red carpet events with celebrity DJs and musical acts like the Village People, Lena Katina of t.A.T.u. and Sublime with Rome.
“Being that it’s Dallas’ first-ever Super Bowl, I wanted to provide guests with a truly memorable weekend,” said Jason Hutchins, President of XLV Party. “Bringing together this all-star cast of performers and celebrities was just my answer. I am confident that the event itself will be just as exciting as the actual Super Bowl, if not more, and we are setting a new standard for Super Bowl parties around the country.”
To mark the official start of Super Bowl celebrations, three events have been planned on the field of one of the most historic sites in the city of Dallas, The Cotton Bowl in Fair Park. Featuring more than 60,000 square feet of tented space and a 5,000 square foot dance floor, guests will enjoy a night filled with pure entertainment. Village People, Lady Bunny, Cazwell and more!
Check it out at XLV PARTY and
see more about GAY Dallas on our site and the Dallas Tavern Guild !
Best Gay Cities.com
Third Anti Gay Attack in Austin Texas
we often take for granted our safety,
time and time again.
We forget WE DON’T HAVE RIGHTS in many cities, and there are still plenty of people out there who don’t like us! We must always be alert and keep our wits about us, and DON’T MOUTH OFF when someone yells FAGGOT!
A 26-year-old gay man says he and a friend were the victims of a hate crime outside the bars on 4th Street in downtown Austin, Texas early Sunday morning. (The third attack in Austin this year).
Bobby Beltran said he and his friend had just left Rain, a gay bar, at about 1:30 a.m. When they hugged each other goodbye on the sidewalk, some men in a passing vehicle yelled, “Fucking faggots, stop that queer shit!”
After Beltran yelled at the men to “get out of here,” all five of them jumped out of the vehicle and attacked him and his friend. Beltran said he fought back but suffered cuts and bruises and a black eye. His friend may have suffered a broken jaw. The attackers quickly jumped back in the vehicle, which was parked in the middle of the street, and drove off.
“I’ve never in my life been in any kind of violent situation, especially a hate crime, so it’s been pretty traumatic,” Beltran said. “Austin is supposed to be a gay haven, especially on 4th Street. What scares me even more is that nobody even helped.”
He said the attack lasted for about three minutes and was witnessed by at least 20 people, but none of them tried to help. Beltran said he yelled out the license plate of the vehicle as he ran after the attackers, but no one wrote it down and he doesn’t remember it.
“It was the most unsafe I’ve ever felt in my entire life, knowing that not even my community stood up,” Beltran said. “I’m so afraid to go back down there.”
Read More at DALLAS VOICE .
Vote for Dallas, Best Gay City, and Round Up Saloon, Best Gay Bar in the World
We love DALLAS!
And this year the city scores 4 big nominations in the TripOut Gay Travel Awards.
The city of Dallas in nominated for BEST BREAKOUT DESTINATION .
And the Round Up Saloon is nominated for BEST GAY BAR IN THE WORLD .
Plus in addition, both KIMPTON hotels and American Airlines (both with Dallas offices) also score nominations.
Stop by and vote and shoe Dallas some love!
Read more about why we LOVE DALLAS !
Houston Residents Jason and DeMarco to Open Gay SAFE House
If you have followed Jason and DeMarco , the gay christion pop singers, than you know about their vision of S.A.F.E.
Jason says, “Last year a young man who I had been emailing with had been struggling after “coming out of the closet”. He had been kicked out of his home and was going from friend to friend, sleeping on their couch. He finally ended up with a friend who told him that he could stay there as long as he needed to. Unfortunately, a month later, that same friend of his emailed me letting me know that this young man had taken his own life and that she wanted me to know how much he had said that I meant to him. I knew in that moment that “IT IS TIME”.
The longtime Houston residents have had a vision for a non-profit organization that would help kids who have been kicked out of their homes, or who were in foster care because of being kicked out or rejected by their own parents, or perhaps were aging out of the foster care system and had no support and nowhere to turn.
After moving to Houston I saw the need for an organization like this more than ever before and it fueled my dream. That dream is finally being realized with the launching of our new non-profit S.A.F.E. (Safe, Affirming, Family Environment).
We officially received 501(c)3 non-profit status on June 22, 2010 and are in full force preparing and planning for the work that S.A.F.E. is to do. By January 1st 2011, it is our intention to open the very first “Safe Spot” in Houston which will provide a drop-in and resource center for “throw-away” youth and young adults who will be offered snacks, coffee, clothes, books and a computer station.
It is also our intention to begin forming a community of house parents and ‘Safe Houses’ who are willing to offer transitional housing to GLBTQ young adults and ‘Safe Houses’ run by foster parents currently certified through Child Protective Services or those wishing to get certified to foster GLBTQ kids. Our intention with the homeless community is to encourage GLBTQ kids to enter the Foster Care system and educate them on the benefits offered to them by the state, knowing that they will be placed with a GLBT friendly foster home found through our organization.
If you are interested in joining our online community, please visit Safe House For All . Our goal is to start with Houston and then help other cities create “Safe Spots” and form S.A.F.E. communities locally with S.A.F.E.’s mentorship and guidance.
We filmed a new music video to our song ‘Safe’, the title cut from our latest CD, also entitled “Safe (W/Dvd) “. We are in post-production with the video and are planning to release it by the end of the year. We believe that this video is powerful and is going to put a face to the issues that the organization S.A.F.E. is striving to bring to peoples’ awareness. Our hope is that we will strike a chord with talk show personalities who help get the mission and need for S.A.F.E. out there to America!
This new venture is going to take much time and energy, and with us beginning a family, it is the perfect opportunity for us to make this our focus while taking time off of the road to adjust to parenthood. Many of you have been along with us on our journey from the very beginning and we are so excited to get to share this next chapter with you.
We cannot do this alone. There are kids out there who need us. They are all OUR kids! So please visit Safe House For All to read more about our mission, our vision and be a part. We currently have a donor who is willing to match funds up to $25,000. We have raised $30,000 to date and our intention is to raise $100,000 by the end of the year so we can begin the work in the New Year.
deMarco and I will continue recording and releasing new music and we will continue touring occasionally through most of 2011. Please share S.A.F.E. with anyone you know and join our online community by visiting the website.
Together we will create a world where EVERY heart has a home!
Stay Tuned!
We have also launched a new online Radio Program called “The SAFE Spot”.
Tune in for updates on S.A.F.E. and the work that we are doing by visiting “The SAFE Spot Blog Talk Radio”.
GAY DALLAS – Texas Freedom Parade September 19th
The 2010 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade
~ Our 27th Edition ~ “One Heart, One World, One Pride”
Sunday, September 19, 2010
As summer starts to cool off just a little in Texas, and Pride Celebrations start winding down, Dallas is gearing up for their big parties September 19th. The Pride Parade & Festival in Lee Park! If you have never been to Dallas, it is an awesome city full of friendly LGBT people, LOTS of gay establishments , bars, and nightclubs.
Honorary Grand Marshall 2010 is Mayor Annise D. Parker, from Houston!
Dallas Gay Pride celebrates its 27th anniversary this year. The Dallas Tavern Guild took over the operation of Pride in 1982, moved it to September, and called it the Texas Freedom Parade. It was later renamed in honor of one of the parade’s key architects, the former Guild director Alan Ross.
Park Opens at 11 am. Food, beverages, vendors, and music. Live entertainment starts at 1pm.
Parade steps off at 2pm. The Annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Pride Parade commences in the very gay Oak Lawn neighborhood at 2 pm. It begins at the junction of Cedar Springs Road and Wycliff Avenue, marching south down Cedar Springs Road, and ending at Robert E. Lee Park.
Awards, Presentations and speakers and special entertainment at 5pm.
(PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BELL )
AMERICAN AIRLINES is a Proud Sponsor and recommended carrier.
Lady Gaga Stops by The Round Up Saloon in Dallas
THESE cowboys were thrilled to meet Lady Gaga when she popped into their local bar this week.
The pop star was just as happy – when she first visited The Round-Up Saloon in Dallas, Texas, she was an unknown aspiring artist.
Two years later she dropped in for a drink fresh from her huge stadium performance at the American Airlines Center.
This time she received a huge reception, with one over-eager fan even climbing up to the roof area to get her to sign her arm.
The owners Alan Pierce and Gary Miller first met Gaga when her tour manager contacted them to ask if she could perform a slot in summer 2008.
They said they weren’t keen, as ‘the next Madonna’ wasn’t the usual type of act to perform at the bar.
But the two gave Gaga a chance and she played a couple of songs.
Two years later she was back in the city as part of her world tour, and surprised them by booking out the roof area and arriving with her 15-strong entourage, including her mother, to celebrate her whirlwind success.
Pierce told Thecount.com : ‘She was nice and wonderful now, as she was before she became a big star.’
And Gaga even got a memento of her visit – a belt buckle.
TOWLEROAD has the video clip !
Gay Dallas Dining – World Class Foodie City
With a density of restaurants greater than New York City, Dallas is truly a food-lover’s town. While first-time visitors might conjure images of Texas steakhouses and barbecue joints, Dallas long ago found its way onto America’s culinary foodie map with innovative restaurants and talented chefs mining the flavors of American, Italian, Asian and Mexican cuisine.
On our recent trip to Dallas I had some of the BEST Mexican food I have ever eaten in my life at Cyclone Anaya . They have 7 locations around Dallas and we dined at the OakLawn/Cedar Springs location. Lots of LGBT people here on weekend nights, dining before an evening out at the clubs, right around the corner. (Mondays and Tuesdays they offer half-priced bottles of wine!)
Outstanding Guacamole, Lump Crab Nachos and Lobster Enchiladas in Chardonnay cream sauce! OMG! The flavors and tastes were amazing! The Carne Asada a la Tampiquena is probably the best marinated piece of skirt steak I’ve ever put in my mouth. Tender, juicy, delicious. It’s the kind of steak cows give their lives for!
Portions are large here – and I am the kind of dinner that likes to try and share a lot of different things. So unless you are REALLY HUNGRY, keep that in mind.
Cyclone Anaya’s restaurants present an upscale variety of hand-made gourmet menu items carefully prepared from scratch, using only the finest ingredients. The menu showcases “Fine Mex,” a wonderful blend of the traditional and the modern. They also have a well-earned reputation for their legendary margaritas and even make their own Agave Tequila. They are also known for dramatic artistic presentation and precision managed restaurants. “We focus enormous detail on the dining experience, from our stunning architecture to custom “made to order” plating.”
There are lots of restuarants in the neighborhood. Black-Eyed Pea Restaurant is right on Cedar Springs Road. 214-521-4580.
A very popular restaurant with a combination of down-home cooking like chicken-fried steak, meatloaf and healthy fare including terrific seafood entrees.
Zini’s Pizza is a great late night spot right in the heart of the neighborhood, located on Cedar Springs Road also. Full line of lunch and dinner pizza and Italian food. Great spot for after-the club-gatherings on weekend late nights.
DISH at ILUME brings chic to Cedar Springs! The Ilume Luxury mixed-use complex has been putting together an entire block of gay chic! “We want to be the signature anchor for the street that compliments what’s on the street,” Luke Crosland, owner of Crosland Group says . “We want the excitement and energy. This is a passionate community with a long history.”
The new hip DISH brings design, cocktails and food to town. Walk through the doors, just past the large, gorgeous patio, and a stylish, sophisticated space awaits, as inviting as it is stunning. The attention to detail and whimsical touches (cone-shaped mashed potatoes with the evening special!) are what will keep us coming back again and again. Delicately thin-and-crispy flatbreads are a great starter to share or more than enough for a satisfying meal. From the hosts at the front door to the servers’ assistants, the restaurant already runs like a well-oiled machine, amazing for its short time on this earth. Service is attentive, but not obtrusive, and the servers all seem to know the menu well.
And if it’s meat you’re after, THE hot spot to go to is Al Biernats . 5 Star Dining with many of the Dallas Who’s-Who’s here. All the A-list celebrities dine here while visiting Dallas. The parking lot was filled with the ultimate in luxury cars. With its rosy glow, vaulted ceilings, and domed bar, Al Biernat’s doesn’t look like your average chophouse. And it’s not. Billed as “much more than a great steakhouse!” Their menu rises above the traditional grill menu, with popular entrees such as Pan Seared Sea Bass over Lobster Risotto, Australian Cold Water Lobster Tail, Veal Osso Bucco, Colorado Lamb Chops or Elk Filet. I had to have meat! The 14oz filet mignon was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The extensive wine list offers over 650 rare selections and a sommelier’s expertise. Al Biernat personally greets you at the door to ensure your delightful dining experience!
And what trip to Dallas would not be complete without a stop to the flagship Neiman Marcus , a Dallas icon?!
Since the early 1900’s , the renowned department store’s flagship location sits on Ervay Street between Main and Commerce. The structure has been expanded both horizontally and vertically many times.
Not only known for it’s amazingly unique selection of merchandise, but lunch at the Zodiac is ALWAYS A TREAT! The elegant restaurant has been serving
fine cuisine for over 50 years and features an exquisite, classic menu selection. Sip a martini at the sleek, modern glass-top bar while you mingle with the who’s-who of downtown.
It’s a classic treat like lunch at Fred’s in Barneys or BG in Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. Delicious seasonal entrée selections or just experience their famous Mandarin Orange Soufflé. It’s a must-do!
This is just a sampling of what Dallas has to offer!
Whether you want a $75 piece of steak or just a delicious $8 old-fashioned Hunkys Hamburger , it’s all here in Dallas.
Dallas is truly a one size fits all shoe. Whether you are visiting, passing through or are a current resident, we invite you to explore and enjoy all that our community has to offer.
Dallas Pride – September 19th!
Other useful Gay Dallas resources are –
Dallas Convention and Tourism
Dallas Tavern Guild
American Airlines Rainbow Division
Dallas Voice
Gay Dallas Nightlife – Everything is BIGGER in DALLAS!
We just got back from visiting Dallas recently. A dozen or so LGBT writers from around the world were invited to tour Dallas and see all that it has to offer. (Big Thanks to American Airlines and George Carranhco in their Rainbow Division !)
Everything is bigger in Texas, that’s for sure! Big Culture, Big City, Big Nightlife in Big gayborhoods and lots of BIG HEARTS and KINDNESS. What a friendly city! And coming from Chicago, where we have about 18 bars and nightclubs, I was impressed with the Dallas Tavern Guild and all their clubs in Cedar Springs and surrounding neighborhoods. Over 21 clubs – and several of them HUGE multi-leveled, multi-venued clubs! And we toured them ALL. In 4 days! My liver needed a rest, to say the least, when I got home.
And unlike many big cities, the cost of drinking in Dallas is releatively inexpensive. Where most big cities will charge you $6-$10 for weak cocktails, I don’t think I ever paid more than $4-6 for most any good strong drink. And many bars do promotional nights with 50% off and discounted drinks! So your dollars go a LONG way in Dallas! And while many clubs may have a theme like leather/levi or Abercrombie or lesbian, everyone is welcomed everywhere with a smile, which I found so refreshing!
In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be sharing all we discovered in this great city. From fabulous shopping, art, cultutre, and food to everything LGBT and LGBT friendly that Dallas has to offer!
So this week, we’ll give you the skinny on the BIG NIGHTLIFE and DALLAS LGBT BARS and CLUBS
Alexandre’s 4026 Cedar Springs Road 214-559-0720
An intimate club in the heart of Oaklawn with a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere. Great variety of live entertainment at this cozy yet chic Piano bar. Since we opened 2004, we have showcased numerous entertainers and have prided ourselves with featuring some of the best live entertainment Dallas has to offer! We offer a very friendly and laid back atmosphere where anyone can have a good time! Also check out our website at Alexandres.com for more info.
Barbaras Pavillion 325 Centre St 214-941-2145
Barbara’s Pavillion is Dallas’ friendliest neighborhood bar located in the heart of Oak Cliff/ Bishop Arts. It is a small neighborhood place to relax, unwind and meet your friends for a drink. Whatever you’re in the mood for…whether it’s a game of pool or just sitting and chatting with friends, you can enjoy it at Barbara’s Pavillion. It’s like being in someone’s house. They also have their own little urban oasis – an outdoor patio bar enjoyed year-round! – Technically, it is located in a “dry area”. So you will need a “membership”, which is free, to enjoy the spirits here.
BJs NXS ! 3215 N Fitzhugh Ave 214-526-9510
Uptown’s newest and hottest spot for male entertainment. I love me some go-go boys, and Dallas is full of them! This friendly big neighborhood club has a great staff and very handsome hot dancers. Nightly drink specials and always lots of great scenery. All this in a clean, cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
Brick / Joes 2525 Wycliff Ave, #120 214-3521-3154
New location for popular Dallas club. The club is split into 2 sides. BRICK and JOES. Large club on one side, smaller, quieter on the other side. Upscale neighborhood setting with various events 7 nights a week including Broadway, Karaoke, Live Entertainment and male dancers. Dancing until 4 am on the weekends – Hip Hop Friday, Dance music Saturday, Retro Sunday. Multiple video screens and great Happy Hour crowd daily.
Dallas Eagle 5740 Maple Ave. 214-357-4375
Many big cities have an EAGLE, and I have seen about 6 of them, in various cities. This is by far the biggest Eagle and friendliest, I have ever been to. They welcome everyone whether you’re in Levis and leather, or designer jeans and Versace, as I was on my particular visit! They didn’t care. They welcomed us and made sure we had a good time. This Dallas popular leather/levis club located just 8 minutes from Cedar Springs. And while the main theme is of course leather/levi, everyone is welcomed and made to feel at home. The bar has Internet parties, weekly pool tournaments and plays host to many local regional and national leather events such as the Bear Round-Up and Mr. Southwest Leather .
Havana 4006 Cedar Springs Road 214-526-9494
A trendy, retro-style crowd populates this nightspot right in the heart of Oaklawn. Also serving dinner specials with a Cuban-Latin flavor. Inexpensive drinks, a good music system, and some pretty fun drag acts are part of the fun.
Hidden Door 5025 Bowser 214-526-0620
One of the oldest (since 1979) and still very popular neighborhood clubs in Dallas. Boasts a friendly, diverse crowd and an extremely popular patio. Hot spot on Sunday afternoons.
Illusions 4100 Maple Avenue 214-252-0552
This intimate club hosts regular show nights with great female impersonation and host to many fundraising events in Dallas. A great neighborhood crowd. Very friendly. Lots of great talent.
J.R.’s Bar 3923 Cedar Springs Rd 214-528-1004
The hot spot on Cedar Springs for the young, fun Abercrombie crowd. Named for the star of the infamous Dallas TV show of the 80’s, this huge club has a great video and sound system with the latest music and shows several nights and the outrageous Wanda Show every Sunday night. Also an extremely popular balcony and second deck bar area.
Old-fashioned decor, like the freestanding wooden bar and embossed tin ceilings, collides with modern accoutrements, including pool tables and a wall of TVs, creating a comfortable, friendly aura. A spacious downstairs, tiered levels and upstairs balcony provide patrons space to bond over a burger or mingle with a mixed drink in hand. With different DJs, drink specials and events every night, including drag shows and pool tournaments, JR’s keeps crowds coming back.Great fun!
Kaliente 4350 Maple Avenue 214-520-6676
A very hot and extremely popular Latino nightspot. Young crowd with show, karaoke, and a terrific dance floor. Multi-level. The latest in hot Latin and Salsa music.
Klub Hot 4207 Maple Ave. @ Knight St. 214-520-3900
A hot new Latino nightclub with a slick industrial look. It features a huge dancefloor, a VIP area and a large patio. Friday night drag show.
Los Rieles 600 S. Industrial Blvd. 214-741-2125
A fun new Latino/Latina club with a large dance floor, great music and lost of weekly events including karaoke, drag shows and male dancers.
Pekers 2615 Oak Lawn Avenue 214-528-3333
Pekers is a Gay/Lesbian neighborhood bar with live entertainment and karaoke. Pool tables and video poker. Just two blocks from the Cedar Springs strip. Super-friendly staff and clean, newly decorated space is welcoming to everyone. They host lots of community fundraising events.
The Rose Room 3912 Cedar Springs Road 214-526-7171
Located in the beautiful newly remodeled Station 4 nightclub, the Rose Room is a first-class, entertainment showroom with the very finest in the art of female impersonation. Shows by a regular cast of highly talented performers and many nationally known female impersonators in an upscale cabaret nightclub setting. Cover charge.
Round-Up Saloon 3911 Cedar Springs Road 214-522-9611
This is the LARGEST country-western dance club in the Southwest. An iconic institution. Round-Up opened 1980. It has been dubbed the home of Good Times and Good People for many years and has some of the best dancers and Best Looking Cowboys in DFW and the country! A sumptuous hardwood dance floor is the centerpiece of this club with six different themed drink stations. Hot cowboy bartenders welcome you nightly. Karaoke is featured five nights a week in the Parlor Bar. Jello shots are popular here! Last year they served up 67,000!
In 1998, the Round Up was purchased by Gary Miller and Alan Pierce. They made lots of improvements to the club, like a premium Tequila Shack, The Loft, The Tool Shed, covered the patio, reopened the Day Bar( now called the Parlor.) “And we ain’t done yet!” – Watch for ever changing and improving the joint. Be assured that The Round Up will ALWAYS be a clean and friendly atmosphere, where you can kick up your heels and feel at home in the COUNTRY!!
Rush 3903 Lemmon Avenue 214-780-0955
A recent addition to the Oaklawn neighborhood, this club has great live entertainment and nightly drink specials. Occasional karaoke and feature performers. Great weekends.
Sisters Club 4025 – 4103 Maple Ave 214-559-2511
The hot new women’s club in Dallas. And brothers are always welcome!
“Although this is primarily a Womans Club we always want our gay brothers to feel comfortable and welcome. Sisters Club is the place to come be yourself, always feel like you are among family and friends.From the time you enter through the door you will notice and be welcomed by a warm, friendly, no attitude staff.”
There are a couple buildings on the property . It’s quite huge. And out back is a great patio / deck / pool PLUS a sand-filled area for vollyball!
Station 4 3912 Cedar Springs Road 214-559-0650
This is the newest jewel on the Cedar Springs strip.HUGE! Formerly the Village Station, this recently remodeled hi-tech, mega dance club is stunning in it’s size, scope and technical features. Amazing light show, large dance floor, and large second floor balcony. A hot spot with the younger dance crowd. This is the flagship of the Caven Enterprises nightclubs . Multi-level, multi-venues. Cover charge.
Sue Ellen’s 3014 Throckmorton St 214-559-0707
The sister club to J’R’s and appropriately named for the female star of the Dallas TV show, this upscale women’s club is also welcoming to all guest and hosts great pool tournaments, karaoke, comedy shows and the best in local live female bands and musicians. In the very center of the Cedar Springs strip. It is another huge multi-level space with lots of different rooms and music, depending on your mood. Dallas’ premiere lesbian nightclub – but everyone is welcome.
Throckmorton Mining Company (TMC)
3903 Cedar Springs Rd 214-521-4205
An institution since 1978! This is a very popular club with hot music, featuring a more intimate atmosphere with low lighting, ice cold drinks, and a crowd of “very” friendly regulars who know how to have fun. Outdoor patio. Two levels of this club add to the visual entertainment.
Tin Room 2514 Hudnall Street 214-526-6365
Another friendly, neighborhood hot-spot club with a warm, cozy atmosphere. Good regular crowd during the week, pool table, karaoke, occasional shows and a welcoming staff. At The Tin Room you will find a unique blend of gorgeous people, great music, go-go guys 7 nights a week, entertainment and spirits. The Tin Room offers a variety of contemporary cocktails, an impressive wine selection and signature sips. Some say it’s the hottest Saturday night in Dallas. It’s a little off the beaten path, in an up and coming gay area. Saturdays are a packed house! State-of-the-art sound, video and lighting, and chart-topping dance music from some of the hottest DJs around.
Woodys Sports and Video Bar 4011 Cedar Springs Road 214-520-6629
One of the newer club additions to Cedar Springs, this hot spot for sports and video fans host multiple screens upstairs and down featuring the latest music videos and live sporting events as well as weekly entertainment and karaoke on the downstairs stage. There is a full patio downstairs, facing the Cedar Springs strip and a second floor balcony with great cook-outs in the summer. Home to many of the local sports organizations.
visit the interactive Club map page
Dallas has some of the hottest and most fun clubs in the state of Texas.
No matter where you decide to go in Dallas, YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD TIME.
If you show up alone, you are sure to make new friends here in this city!
More information on clubs and news and happenings at Dallas Tavern Guild .
Book Your next trip to Texas (or anywhere!) via American Airlines Rainbow Department !
