In this episode, we explore how The Dallas Voice evolved from just a newspaper into the central thread weaving together a growing queer community in Oak Lawn. Through its reporting and community coverage, the Voice helped residents find one another, organize, and define a shared identity. This is the story of how a neighborhood found its voice in print.

Select Sources for this Episode:

Dallas Voice in UNT Digital Library. University of North Texas Libraries. https://digital.library.unt.edu/explore/collections/DALVO/

Savoie, Caroline. “40 Years of Impact.” Dallas Voice, 25 Nov. 2025, dallasvoice.com/40-years-of-impact/

Texas Obituary Project https://texasobituaryproject.org/

Dallas Voice Celebrates 40 Years Video https://dallasvoice.com/video-dallas-voice-celebrates-40-years/

Dallas Voice: Our Place in History https://dallasvoice.com/our-place-in-history/

The Cathedral of Hope, located in the heart of Dallas, is the largest LGBTQ+ church in the United States. From its beginning to modern day, the Cathedral of Hope has been and continues to be a valuable resource for the community. This episode takes the listener back to the beginnings of Oak Lawn, the history of the cathedral, and the impacts the church has left on the neighborhood along the way.

Select Sources for this Episode:

Cathedral of Hope Website https://www.cathedralofhope.com/

Mike Piazza speaking on the impact the Cathedral of Hope had on the community in the 1990s. (Video) https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2420370/m1/?q=cathedral%20of%20hope

Oral History interview with Sue Schrader (Audio) https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1639759/m1/?q=%22Cathedral%20of%20Hope%22

As the art form of drag is undergoing scrutiny from politicians and the media, we dive into the history of both drag in the United States and the local drag scenes in Dallas and Denton. We get insight into how drag became what it is today, how Dallas' own Rose Room achieved its iconic status, and what the work of past Queens and Kings has enabled the newer generations to achieve.

Select Sources for this Episode:

https://dallasvoice.com/the-legacy-continues/

https://nmaahc.si.edu/gladys-bentley

https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/dallas/rose-room-dallas-drag-venue-how-to-support

https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/king-drag-queens-fascinating-julian-eltinge

Let’s Get Creative explores a few of the different kinds of art within Dallas’s gayborhood. Throughout the episode, we talk about some of the ways the LGBTQ community has used creative expression to instill a sense of belonging and showcase queer joy in Oak Lawn.

Select Sources for this Episode:

AIDS QUILTS:

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1584434/m1/6/?q=aids%20quilts%20dallas

https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt-history

QUEER CHIORS:

https://www.chorusamerica.org/advocacy-research/gay-and-lesbian-choruses-then-and-now

QUEER HISTORY OF DALLAS; MIMS

https://utd-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/5627361a-b772-4a0d-9fc3-669a7e6b86f2/content

DUANE PURYEAR:

https://www.thedallasway.org/stories/written/2021/9/19/duane-puryears-and-the-quilt-panel

In this episode, we explore the historic first appearance of transgender icon Christine Jorgensen in the media and the lasting impact she had on the Dallas community. We highlight organizations providing vital healthcare and resources for transgender individuals, including The Resource Center, and examine the current statistics on hate crimes against transgender people in Texas. Finally, we amplify the voices of local transgender activists who are tirelessly fighting for change and visibility within the LGBTQ community.

Select Sources for this Episode:

https://transgriot.com/tributes-2/

https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/tgi-bios/christine-jorgensen

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1939944/m1/?q=transgender

https://www.texasobserver.org/anti-lgbtq-incidents-texas/

This episode covers the history of activism in Oak Lawn during the AIDS Crisis, spanning from the early 80s to the late 90s, and how the efforts and organizations created during this dark period of time for the community are still impacting the neighborhood and greater Dallas today.

Select Sources for this Episode:

AIDS Arms Network Documents, The Portal to Texas History

Black Tie Dinner - 1998 Main Event Second Half Video, The Portal to Texas History

It's For Everyone Video, UNT Libraries Special Collections

Mike Anglin, “Terry Tebedo,” January 4, 2018, The Dallas Way

Mike Anglin, “William H. “Bill” Nelson,” May 10. 2015, The Dallas Way

Rafael McDonnell, “Resource Center Dallas,” May 10, 2015, The Dallas Way

William Waybourn, “Crossroads Market,” November 24, 2017, The Dallas Way

William Waybourn, “How Dallas Got Into AIDS Research,” April 21, 2020, The Dallas Way

Oak Lawn Today discusses the current state of Dallas's gayborhood, as well as current issues within it. We discuss gentrification, Drag Bans, and restrictive laws that affect the LGBTQ+ community. We also explore the potential birth of a new gayborhood in North Oak Cliff.

Select Sources for this Episode:

City of Dallas Office of Historic Preservation

Dallas Crosswalk Project

Rainbow Crosswalks Installed in Dallas Article

Oak Lawn Article Visit Dallas

Legacy of Love Monument Article

Boyd, Ron. [Clipping: Patti], clipping, June 27, 1988; Dallas, TX.

Staff, The Texas Tribune. “Elected Officials Districts: Texas Senate District 1.” The Texas Tribune, January 21, 2023 Proven Conservative Bryan Hughes article

Bill S-B 12 June 18, 2023

Bill S-B 12

Senator Bryan Hughes: District 1. The Texas Senate Website

Skyy, Jenna. Interview. Conducted by Gabriela Whitmore, Wendy Starks, and Rodrigo Triana. October 23, 2023

Kevin. “The Future of Oak Lawn.” Dallas Voice, August 2, 2019

Rogers That – Podcast. “EP. 32: Not Just a Big City - Mike Ablon” YouTube video, 51:15. March 6, 2023 Wright, John. Dallas Voice (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, August 31, 2012, newspaper, August 31, 2012; Dallas, Texas.

Acting Out shows the history of Texan activism in the Oak Lawn Neighborhood. This episode discusses the history of HIV/AIDS in Dallas, the “Gay Robin Hood,” and prominent activists in the queer community.

Select Sources for this Episode:

Conversation/interview between Chance West, Louise Young, and Don Baker on DGPC

Dick Peeples Interview with Dr Phelps

Outrageous Oral, Volume 1: Don Maison

Pride in Dallas: A Brief look at Dallas LGBTQ History

Queering the Lone Star State Episodes 5 and 6

AIDS Services of Dallas

AIDS Services Dallas turns 30, Dallas Voice

Affidavit of Irvin Riddle

Embezzlement Imperils AIDS Home, New York Times

The Dallas Cowboy Behind the Real ‘Buyers Club’, NPR

Parkland's new AIDS clinic chief undaunted by problems, Dallas Morning News

Cece Cox outrageous oral

Cece Cox facebook video

Cece Cox info

Brandon Murray youtube video 1

Betty King oral history interview