Dallas Southern Pride (DSP) is the official annual celebration for Black Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals to come together and celebrate who and what we are. It all begin in 1997 when a small gathering of Black LGBTQ individuals came together to party and hang out with one another. As the years continued, the community demanded a more formalized celebratory weekend with a host hotel, organized parties/events, and shows to provide a safe space for this community gathering.
However, Dallas Southern Pride has worked very hard to bridge the gap within the community by ensuring Dallas Black Pride Weekend included the voices and participation of those often talked about but not included (i.e. Transgender individuals). We stand on the shoulders of brothers, sisters and transgender individuals who are no longer with us as well as those who were here in the beginning.
We honor and celebrate their contributions. While Pride is celebrated in mainstream America each year during the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots that happened in Manhattan, Dallas Southern Pride celebrates Black Pride Weekend every year in October to honor the essence and spirit of Black culture and richness. In 2016, we officially incorporated Juneteenth to bring the conversation and celebration full circle. We are one of more than 25 celebrations that happen throughout the year in the United States and even more than that happen worldwide.
In partnership with Abounding Prosperity, Inc., the Southern Regional Ball/House and Pageant Communities’ Health Disparities & Leadership Conference is also a part of Dallas Black Pride Weekend where the focus is to mobilize members of the Ball/House and Pageant community to discuss and develop solutions that focus on improving their health and well-being.
This weekend attracts thousands of participants from around the country to honor and celebrate one another as well as recognize the impact Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals have had on history locally in Dallas, nationally, and internationally.
In 2023, Dallas Southern Pride will celebrate the 2023 Juneteenth Unity Weekend June 15-19, 2023. There will be a series of events and parties that include an Official Kickoff Party, and so much more. You can view pictures of past events and activities throughout the past years by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.