Twist Tickets on Sale Now - End of Summer Lake Party

Twist, the official end of summer lake party presented by Crew 96 Entertainment, will take Lake Grapevine by storm on Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $30 and include access to two party barges, drinks, food and entertainment.

Twist is an all-gay event designed to offer a unique entertainment option to the LGBT community. Tickets have been selling fast and only a handful of barge access passes remain. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.crew96.com.

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'Win a Trip to Dallas' Contest Winner Replaced

About two weeks after the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) announced the winner of the "Win a Trip to Dallas" sweepstakes, the randomly selected individual, Yvette Roper of Jamaica, New York, declined the offer due to personal complications.

A new drawing was held on Tuesday, August 19 by Dallas-based marketing communications agency, SRJ Marketing Communications, on behalf of the DCVB. Edward Patchell of Drexell Hill, PA was randomly selected to receive a free trip to Dallas the weekend of the 25th anniversary Texas Alan Ross Freedom Parade, Dallas' official gay pride celebration.

The pride parade marches down Cedar Springs Road on Sunday, September 21 and ends at Lee Park where the pride festival will continue. Patchell will be introduced at the pride festival during onstage announcements.

Patchell and a guest will receive round trip airfare sponsored by American Airlines, hotel accommodations compliments of Crowne Plaza Hotel Dallas Market Center, tickets to Gay Day at Six Flags donated by the Dallas Voice, tickets to the Dallas Museum of Art and a gift basket.

For more information about the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau and all things gay in Dallas, please visit www.glbtdallas.com or contact Jason Vincik at 214-528-5775 or dallaspromotions@srj.net.

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New Gay Event Emerges in Dallas

Crew 96, a Dallas-based special events entertainment company, announced today a new gay event slated for Saturday, September 13. Titled “Twist”, the party commences on Lake Grapevine from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for only $30 and include access to two party barges, drinks, food and entertainment.

Crew 96 founder and president, Jason Vincik, explains that Twist is just what Dallas needed. “The mission of Crew 96 is to bring new entertainment options to the North Texas LGBT community,” said Vincik. “A big party on the lake was one of those missing elements in our annual event lineup.”

Focusing on missing elements is the key strategy behind Crew 96. According to Vincik, an event is planned only after ample research has been conducted among members of the Dallas LGBT community.

“The Crew 96 team has spent the last several months surveying party-goers at events, bars and nightclubs,” Vincik explained. Initial feedback on the Twist party favored the event very positively. “Our focus will be on developing events that appeal to every letter in ‘LGBT’. You can expect to see many more great events like Twist coming to Dallas very soon.”

Although Twist has not even hit the scene yet, Crew 96 reports the next event is already being planned, and the special events gurus promise something big in the works. Steven Shanks, the logistics coordinator for Crew 96 said a big event is underway and it will be very different from the Twist party. “It’s going to be over-the-top, fun and it will inspire our community to dream,” said Shanks.

Limited tickets are available for the Twist party on Lake Grapevine.

About Crew 96

Crew 96 is a Dallas-based entertainment company that specializes in LGBT events. With more than 12 years special events and marketing communications experience, Crew 96 brings unique entertainment options to North Texas communities. For more information about Crew 96, please visit www.crew96.com.

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'Win a Trip to Dallas' GLBT Sweepstakes Winner Announced

The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) announced the winner of its "Win a Trip to Dallas" sweepstakes. Yvette Roper of Jamaica, NY was selected to receive a vacation package to Dallas.

The promotion is part of a new integrated marketing communications campaign that targets the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The campaign launched in April at a Dallas press tour that included members of the domestic and international gay press.

Ms. Roper will receive two roundtrip American Airlines tickets to Dallas and a two-day, three-night stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dallas Market Center. In addition, Roper will receive two tickets to attend Gay Day at Six Flags Over Texas, compliments of the Dallas Voice. A gift basket will await the winner at the hotel, complete with goodies to make their Dallas visit memorable.

Ms. Roper and a guest will travel to Dallas in September and experience Dallas Pride firsthand. The city celebrates 25 years of Pride when the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade marches through the Oak Lawn neighborhood on September 21, 2008.

"This promotion is part of our 'Try Dallas on for Size' campaign," said Phillip Jones, president & CEO of the DCVB. "Dallas is a diverse and vibrant city, with more than $12 billion in development that adds additional dining, shopping, cultural and entertainment options every year. September weather is perfect for watching one of the largest pride parades in the nation, with participants that include city officials, community leaders and thousands of supporters. We look forward to showcasing our city's 'Live Large. Think Big' way of life."

For more information on Dallas Pride, or to discover more about how Dallas reaches out to the LGBT community, visit www.glbtdallas.com.

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Protestors Take Stand Against Dallas Gay Bar

Just one week after Dallas gay bar owner David Moore banned all drag queens from his establishment, Crews Inn, a mob of upset protestors took action.

After reading an article in the Dallas Voice, a local LGBT publication, several gay, straight and transgender persons took a stand against what they called discrimination by the bar owner. More than 15 activists lined the sidewalk outside Crews Inn around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22. According to attendees, three times as many activists were there earlier that evening.

"Support your whole community. Do the right thing. Crews Inn discriminates against transgender people" was shout from the sidewalk adjacent to the bar on Tuesday night, the busiest night of the week for Crews Inn.

Kelli Busey (pictured left) was there holding one of several signs that read "Equal rights for make-up and tights." Kelli identifies herself as a transgender female. Though the staff allowed Busey entrance to the bar that evening, she explains its because the photo on her identification card matches her appearance.

According to the article in the Dallas Voice, Moore was told the Dallas Police Department and the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission would rule in his favor since a customer's appearance must match her picture ID.

But, the angry protestors still felt that Moore had done a great deal of unjustice to the transgender community. By deciding to ban the entire group, instead of holding individuals accountable for their actions, Moore had turned his back on the community. According to Busey, protests will continue next week if a public apology has not been made by Moore.

At 11:52 p.m., David Moore, nor anyone from his staff had addressed the protestors. Police officers stood by patiently, but no one was arrested or injured during the demonstration.

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Dallas Gay Bar Owner Does Something Stupid

Yep. That's right. A Dallas gay bar owner, David Moore of the Crews Inn, did something pretty darn stupid recently when he kicked out local drag favorites, Ivana Tramp and Celeste Williams for no apparent reason.

A recent article in the Dallas Voice quoted “Drag queens act like they are divas and think they can’t do no wrong,” Moore said. “They have stolen money straight off the bar, hassled customers for drinks and locked themselves in the bathroom with a bunch of guys. And with Tuesday being our busiest night, there is just no way for me to keep the drag queens under control then. I don’t want drag queens in here that are going to misbehave.”

According to the article, a bartender came over and told Tramp and Williams they had to go. The alleged former drag queen bartender also said that Moore was in a mood and he didn't want drag queens, trannies or girls in his bar.

“It’s kind of like I’m a positive role model in the community,” Tramp said. “It wasn’t like I was there hammered or begging people to buy me a drink. I felt like it was very embarrassing and degrading.”

Somehow Moore came to the conclusion that he should just go ahead and ban all drag queens due to the bad behavior of other cross dressers in the past. Beginning July 15, 2008, Moore and bar staff began removing drag queens from the bar.

A protest has been announced for Tuesday, July 22 (Tuesdays are the Crews Inn's busiest night). Apparently, Ivana is downright pissed. And, well, I don't blame her. Imagine if a few gay men "locked themselves in the bathroom with a bunch of guys" and "hassled customers for drinks." One would think the same rule would apply...kick all gay men out of the gay bar. If my calculations are correct, Moore had better start kicking out all the gay men now, because some of their behavior matches that of these allegedly renegade drag queens on any given night, like clown-carring a restroom, working a drink at the bar and steeling booty. And, by booty I mean valuables, of course.

My point is...what's good for the goose is good for the gander. What Moore should be doing is punishing the individuals for their individual acts, not an entire group. What is this, 1963?

You have to admit...this Dallas gay bar owner did something pretty stupid. He turned his back on part of our community. Not only does he owe an apology to the countless innocent drag queens out there who were innocently dragged into this whole ordeal by his prejudice acts, but he should also be made into an example for other bigots out there who dare cause further separation within our community.

Though I'm personally not a drag queen, I am a gay man and I do respect the band of brothers and sisters that make up this LGBT community. I will stick by the side of every good citizen that makes up our L, G, B and T. For this reason, I refuse to step foot in the Crews Inn until a mutual resolve has been made clear by both parties involved. True, I am only one person. But, to this one person this is dispicable and intolerable. Plus, have you seen my bar tab??

Mr. Moore...WTF?

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Dallas - Out of the Red and Into the Blue

Often when being interviewed by gay publications and media sites, I'm asked "Why Dallas?" I must confess, the first time I was posed with this question I was at Throckmorton Mining Company - a local gay club in Dallas (now closed).

He was a tall, slender man with big beady eyes and a freshly shaved head. His British accent caught me by surprise as he leaned over and shouted above the bumping and beating music that was coming from the dance floor. "I hate Texas!" I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

It must be noted that I'm born and raised in Texas. Ask any native about the lone star state and they all will answer with a great sense of pride in their voice. We Texans are very proud of where we live.

"Why do you hate Texas?" I asked. "Where are you from?"

The tall Texan-hater shouted "London! All of your laws are so backwards here. You still discriminate against the gay population. I mean, look who your president is!"

He was right. I couldn't really argue with any of that. Our laws are quite antiquated, but not much different from most other states in our union when it relates to GLBT rights. Our president...alright, he's got me there. George W. Bush. But, hey! I didn't vote for him, nor did any of my family or friends that live in Texas. Sadly, when the general population thinks of W, they think of Texas.

"Okay, yes. So, our president sucks," I responded. "But, there are great places in Texas that are quite gay friendly, like Dallas."

"I don't see how Dallas is different from any other city in Texas."

The conversation was heating up. I was about to embark on a debate that had no business touting its ugly head in a loud club. But, I will always defend my opinion, especially when it can be backed up with facts. More importantly, as gay as I am, I would never live in a city where I didn't feel comfortable about my sexuality. I was about to let him have it.

"Dallas is a great city! I'm originally from Houston, but I will now and always call Dallas my home. We've got so much to offer. You know we have the largest urban arts district in the nation? It takes up 19 city blocks in downtown. We have this fabulous gay strip that you're partying on right now. Dallas is one of few cities in the nation that even has a gay strip." I told him how I once lived in St. Louis where you had to drive several blocks to get from one gay bar to the next.

"Well, you may have a few gay bars along a street, but that doesn't make a city gay-friendly."

"Oh, but we are," I rebutted. "The City of Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. It's written right into the City's EEO statement. The City even offers domestic partner benefits to its employees. And, I can assure you that if the City didn't welcome gay residents and travelers with open arms, then we certainly wouldn't have a public marketing campaign targeted directly to the GLBT community, nor would our mayor march in our pride parade."

I went on to explain about how former mayor Laura Miller helped move gay rights initiatives to the front of the line while she was in office. I also explained how Ed Oakley, an openly gay city councilman, ran for mayor and lost only by a small margin. I even told him about Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez, the only female Sheriff in the state of Texas who is also openly gay and Hispanic...a triple threat.

I added "Dallas is a very diverse city. You can walk out of this bar holding my hand right now, kiss me on the street and not a single person will even care."

"Texas still has a long way to go. Talk to me again when you are able to marry." And, with that, the bald-headed eagle walked away.

It can be tiring defending your city. There are so many false perceptions about Dallas. But, I must attribute all of our great progress in the GLBT community to the volunteers that came before me.

Alan Ross and the Dallas Tavern Guild took over a struggling Dallas pride parade in the early 80's and turned it into a very successful event that attracts thousands (Dallas is celebrating our 25th anniversary pride celebration in 2008).

Many activists stood outside Crossroads Market in the late 60's and 70's picketing and demanding equal rights for the GLBT community in Dallas. And, we can not ever forget the numerous nonprofit service organizations that give back to our community, such as the Resource Center of Dallas, AIDS Arms and the Black Tie Dinner - the largest GLBT black tie affair in the US. I even joined the efforts of Razzle Dazzle Dallas (now out of business), helping coordinate events in our community - events that donated proceeds to local AIDS charities and gay youth organizations.

Yes, Dallas truly is a city that inspires big ideas; a city that offers a great amount of support and inclusion among our gay community. And, it can only get better. We may not have the right to marry today. But, just think back to June 26, 2003 when the Texas Supreme Court ruled that Texas sodomy laws are unconstitutional (Lawrence & Garner vs. Texas). We are making strides. It's only a matter of time.

For more information about how the City of Dallas reaches out to the GLBT community, please visit www.glbtdallas.com or contact SRJ Marketing Communications at www.srj.net.

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