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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Celebrating its 40th year, Dallas Pride is taking |
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place on June 3 and 4, 2023, and this occasion provides a fitting |
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opportunity to reflect on the central role the event has played in |
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the rich history of the city's LGBTQ+ community; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1972, just three years after the Stonewall Riots |
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in New York City became the catalyst for the worldwide gay rights |
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movement, Dallas's first gay pride parade took place in the city's |
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downtown; around 300 participants marched through the streets, and |
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the gathering drew approximately 3,000 attendees; and |
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WHEREAS, The inaugural parade was a strong show of unity for |
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the city's emerging LGBTQ+ community, but despite its success, a |
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second event didn't take place until 1980, when ad hoc committees of |
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local leaders and merchants began staging the parade in the Oak Lawn |
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neighborhood; in 1982, the newly established Dallas Tavern Guild |
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took charge of the event, naming it the Texas Freedom Parade; a key |
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figure in the growth of the gathering was Alan Ross, the guild's |
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longtime executive director, and the parade was first named in his |
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honor in 1991; Mr. Ross passed away in 1995; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the years, the event has maintained a |
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joyful, high-spirited atmosphere where individuality is embraced |
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and people from all walks of life are welcomed, though more somber |
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reflections have been part of the experience as well; as the AIDS |
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crisis deepened in the mid-1980s, the Tavern Guild began dedicating |
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the parade to members of the organization who had died of the |
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disease during the previous year, and the 2001 gathering included a |
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tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that had taken |
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place less than two weeks before; and |
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WHEREAS, The parade has frequently served as a means to |
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commemorate important court rulings and other developments that |
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have signaled progress in the quest for diversity and |
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inclusiveness; moreover, an increasing number of elected officials |
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and candidates have made appearances at Dallas Pride in recent |
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decades, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of the |
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LGBTQ+ community in civic affairs; since 2019, Dallas Pride has |
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taken place at Fair Park, and it now encompasses two days of |
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activities, with a festival augmenting the parade; and |
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WHEREAS, Dallas Pride has grown and evolved alongside the |
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LGBTQ+ community's decades-long struggle for equality and |
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acceptance, and the event is indeed deserving of special |
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recognition as it marks this 40-year milestone in its history; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate Dallas Pride 2023 and extend to all |
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those in attendance sincere best wishes for a meaningful and |
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memorable experience. |
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Neave Criado |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2459 was adopted by the House on May |
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29, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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