Out in Oak Lawn: A Queer History of Dallas

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: The Formation of a Queer Community, discusses the early history of the Gayborhood. With the running theme of community, the listener will hear what Oak Lawn was like pre-community with regular police raids and attacks on queer individuals. The listener will then hear about the creation of the community. By highlighting the the first gay support group, the Circle of Friends and the queer church the Cathedral of Hope, the listener will be transported through staples in the history of Oak Lawn.

Select Sources for this Episode:

Trevor Project official website

Meet Dallas’ LGBTQ trailblazer Robert Emery: Why Dallas is a ‘loving city’

Finding Our Voice - The Dallas Gay and Lesbian Community

Outrageous Oral, Volume 1: Don Maison

The Ed Busch TV Talk Show Interview with Don Baker

Out in the West asks us to ponder, what is the significance of Oak Lawn’s location within Texas? By taking the listener inside the Round-Up Bar and Saloon, and to patrons who frequent Vaquero bars, the listener will become more knowledgeable about the relations and similarities between queer and western culture.

Select Sources for this Episode:

Dallas morning News December 19, 1979

Don Baker dress code letter

611 Cedar Springs news clip

611 Cedar Springs News clip

Orville Peck Interview:

Pedro Almodovar Article

Trixie Motel Website

TWIT Vol 8 no. 23 August 27- September 1st, 1982

Tyler Childers Article

Glen Campbell Article

Proudly Open for Business takes the listener on a journey through the businesses of the Oak Lawn neighborhood. It will inform the listener of  past and present queer businesses within the neighborhood, including the Station 4 nightclub, the Curious Times bookstore, and the Crossroads Market general store.

Select Sources for this Episode:

Crossroads Marker Article

Rose Room Website

Frank Caven Obituary

Girl’s Night Out discusses the disappearances of lesbian bars throughout the country and explains why Sue Ellen’s, the lesbian bar in Oak Lawn, has remained open and thriving. In this episode, the listener will understand the inclusivity of lesbian spaces and learn the histories of male privilege and lesbian history.

Select Sources for this Episode:

Interview with Kathy Jack

Krista Burton Event

Outrageous Oral Event with Louise Young and Vivienne Armstrong

Outrageous Oral Event with Emma Colquitt

Interview with Emma Dovers