Dallas, USA
Introduction
Deep in the heart of right wing Texas, Dallas is a breath of fresh cowgirl air. The city is home to two (!) of the biggest lesbian bars in the world, an incredibly vibrant women’s community and it’s here where you’ll find America’s only out-lesbian sheriff, Lupe Valdez. She was easily re-elected for her second term in November, 2008.
If you’re expecting to see lots of women in cowboy boots and cowboy hats though, think again. Dallas is an urban destination, and the ladies here are unexpectedly fashionable and stylish. Since there are two successful lesbian bars, there isn’t much need for lesbian nights the way you see in so many other cities.
There are two main gayborhoods in Dallas, one where people party and another where people (especially lesbians) tend to live. The main area is called Oak Lawn, an area located just north of the downtown core. Along Cedar Springs St. between Oak Lawn Ave. and Douglas Ave., you’ll find a whole strip of bars, restaurants and shops, just for us! As to the more residential homo/lesbohood, that’s called Oak Cliff. This area is also home to the fabulous Bishop Arts District. Just remember you’re looking for the “Oak” neighbourhoods, and all should be fine!
In Dallas, and Texas in general, it’s all about doing it big and doing it in style: Dallas is home to the Cathedral of Hope, the largest LGBT church in the world with more than 3000 members; the Dallas chapter of the Human Rights Campaign raises more money during their annual Black Tie Dinner than any other HRC in the United States – heck, it’s the biggest sit-down dinner of any kind in the American Southwest; and yup, this is home to one of the biggest LGBT community centres in America.
Living high on Texas oil, this is a city that’s got a lot of cash and they’re not afraid to show it. But at the same time, what is especially interesting about Dallas is the fact that successful (and sometimes even quite wealthy) gay and lesbian business people are actually active in the local queer community. They show their faces at events, and open their wallets when it’s needed (yes, even the women!). To boot, they even mentor younger gays and lesbians who are trying to learn about the business world.
This is also a community that believes in equality of the sexes. In so many cities, it’s usually either gay men or lesbians who are sitting on the board of Pride organizations or local LGBT chambers of commerce or local chapters of the Human Rights Campaign. When the Dallas LGBT community started organizing back in the 1980s, they made a conscious decision that things would be done with gender parity. That means there are usually as man men as women represented on all of the major community boards.
And one last note... I want to give a shout-out to American Airlines who provided my transportation to get to Dallas. This is the company's hometown and their Rainbow Team does a ton of amazing outreach for the LGBT community around the world.
AMAZING!!! I have always wanted to check out the scene there. AARainbow is a great team for sure thanks Tanya.. Girlports is really coming along, you rock girl! I tune all TOVACO Productions supporters onto it. LGBT company to LGBT keep it up girl!!!!
Toyin Coker on Oct 28, 2008
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