the City of Dallas (Parkland Hospital) case. Donald Maison, an attorney associated with the Alliance, defended cases where gay men were targeted by the Dallas Police Department, and went on to defend AIDS patients against unfair treatment at Parkland Hospital in the Dallas Gay Alliance v. In 1981, the organization changed its name to the Dallas Gay Alliance, and continued work to improve rights for the LGBTQ population through education and social work, as well as developing ways of combating the AIDS crisis. The Caucus worked to mobilize the Dallas gay community through voter registration efforts, and organizing attendance at the 1979 March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Equal Rights. Founded in 1975, by Dick Peeples, Steve Wilkins, Louise Young, Don Baker, and others, their main focus was to counter the anti-gay sentiment that was building throughout the country at the time. The Dallas Gay Political Caucus was the first major Gay & Lesbian political organization in Dallas. Up until 1962, a person could be sent to prison in Texas for up to 15 years for being gay.įind documents related to the Circle of Friends on The Portal to Texas History.Ĭaption: Attendees at first Dallas Gay Pride Parade, June 24, 1972.ġ975 – Dallas Gay Political Caucus founded Non-gay ministers working with the Circle of Friends provided protection for members as there was a general hostility and blatant discrimination against the gay community.
The organization was meant to help foster a sense of community amongst the Gay & Lesbian population, improve relations with the non-gay population, and work with straight allies to prevent harassment and discrimination. The Circle of Friends, was the first gay organization in Dallas, established in 1965 by Phil Johnson.
Dallas gay pride 2021 dates how to#
Contact UNT Special Collections ( for information on how to best keep these materials, or to donate a collection. We would like to encourage people within those communities to keep documents, photographs, and other LGBTQ related materials to preserve these stories for future generations.
Dallas gay pride 2021 dates archive#
Many stories are not represented within the LGBTQ Archive at UNT, especially those of the BIPOC and Trans communities. The history presented here is an overview of major events, but is not the full story of Dallas LGBTQ history and culture. Pride in Dallas is presented by the University of North Texas Special Collections, and features materials found in the LGBTQ Archive.