New rules on performances, added security should make event run more smoothly, safely, organizers say

Michael Doughman

Everyone loves a parade especially a flamboyant, vibrant and dazzling gay Pride parade. And the 23rd annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade on Sunday promises to be just that, according to parade organizers.

The parade steps off at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Wycliff Avenue and Cedar Springs Road, and will follow its traditional route, moving down Cedar Springs through the heart of Oak Lawn to Turtle Creek Boulevard. The parade then turns left to Hall Street and Robert E. Lee Park, where the rally and closing ceremonies will take place immediately after the parade, according to Michael Doughman, executive director of the Dallas Tavern Guild, which produces the parade each year.

Doughman said he expects the rally to begin about 5 p.m.

Doughman said organizers have made some changes this year they hope will keep the parade running more smoothly and make the whole experience more enjoyable for spectators and participants alike.

Entries will no longer be allowed to stop to perform in front of the judges' stand, Doughman said. Any stationary performances will be presented in a pre-parade session running from about 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

He said that gives parade participants the chance to show off for the judges while at the same time providing additional entertainment for spectators and eliminating lengthy pauses that have stalled previous parades.

Doughman said security at the parade has also been stepped up this year.

"Added security has been a big issue because of the additional expense to the parade production," said Doughman. "It is an additional $10,000 in cost, but due to the growth in the size of the parade, it is necessary this year."

He added, "I also think it will add a comfort level to the event. They [police] are there to help us have a better parade and make it a safer, more organized event."

Doughman said local organizers this year had adopted the national gay Pride theme of "Pride, Not Prejudice" as the theme of the Dallas parade. They hope the theme will help the parade promote positive images of the LGBT community in North Texas, he said.

Doughman said organizers decided to dedicate the 2006 parade to the Black Tie Dinner to commemorate 25th anniversary of the fundraiser that has raised more than $9 million for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and local organizations in its history. It is the largest of several formal events held each year around the country to benefit the foundation.

This year's Black Tie Dinner is set for Nov. 11 at the Adams Mark Hotel. Actress Geena Davis will be the keynote speaker, and actor Alan Cumming will receive the Elizabeth Birch Award. Local activist and volunteer Jay Openheimer, a member of the committee that put on the first Black Tie Dinner in 1981, will receive the Kuchling Humanitarian Award.

Doughman said this year's parade will have 97 entries, including floats, automobiles and groups of people on foot about 1,500 people in all. He said it will be about the same size as last year's event.

The number of spectators expected to line the parade route will likely be larger than ever before, he said.

About 20 percent of the entries are from out of town, Doughman said.

Those who can't get to Oak Lawn to attend the event in person will still have a chance to enjoy the spectacle, since the parade will be broadcast live online at www.oaklawn.tv.

Jimmy Bartlett of oaklawn.tv said Doughman will be the host for this year's Web cast that will feature multiple camera angles to make for better viewing.

The Web cast will begin at 2 p.m. and run through the end of the parade. The broadcast is sponsored in part by Mickey's.

Anchors Jenni Beauchamp and Gus Klein with the newly-launched DVTV, a daily news and entertainment Web cast presented by Dallas Voice at dallasvoice.com, will also be on hand to cover the parade, and will recap the event with plenty of video footage in Web casts next week according to Robert Moore, Dallas Voice publisher.

Grand marshals for the 2006 parade are Veletta Forsythe Lill, former Dallas City Council member and community activist, and Leo Cusimano, president of the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce and advertising director for Dallas Voice. (See profiles of Lill and Cusimano beginning on Page 18.)

They will lead the parade down Oak Lawn along with gay comedian Bruce Vilanch, who is this year's honorary grand marshal. (See an interview with Vilanch on Page 84.)

Several dignitaries are expected to participate again this year, including city officials such as Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Dallas City Council members Dr. Elba Garcia, Pauline Medrano, Ed Oakley, Steve Salazar, Gary Griffith, Bill Blaydes, Angela Hunt and Linda Koop. Other city officials expected to participate include Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle and Eddie Burns.

Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller and Carrollton City Council member Pat Malone are riding in the parade, also, the first time Carrollton city officials have participated. (See Story on Page 24.)

Voice of Pride winners Jason Huff, Matt Brewer and Ashley Henry will be featured in the parade and will also perform at the rally at Lee Park.

Parade participants will compete for trophies in several categories. Categories are:

"The Dallas Diva Award" for best performance;
"The Platinum Pump Award" for best walking entry;
"The Carson Kressley Award" for best costume;
"The Stonewall Award" for best social commentary;
"The Pride Not Prejudice Award" for best interpretation of the parade theme;
"The Spirit of Oak Lawn Award" for best overall entry;
"The Corporate Pride Award" for best for-profit float;
"The Queen Latifah Award" for best non-profit float;
And "The Alan Ross Judge's Choice Award."

Trophy winners will be announced at the rally in Lee Park.

Judges for this year's parade are Rick Aishman, George Carrancho and Veronica Williams. Emcees are Jeffrey Rigby, Genie Hendrickson, Tammi Rowley, Michael Doughman, Jesus Chairez, Mimi Casanova, Peter Z and Bradley Justice.

The rally at Lee Park will feature live entertainment by Deborah Vial and Levi Kreis along with Voice of Pride winners Huff, Brewer and Henry. There will also be speeches by the grand marshals and Vilanch, as well as by Mayor Laura Miller and Councilman Ed Oakley.

The rally will include nearly 100 booths by organizations and businesses such as service agencies, commercial companies, pet services, political agencies and candidates, artists, craftspeople and more.

Food, beer and nonalcoholic beverages will also be available at the rally.

Sponsors of the 2006 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade are Andrews Distributing, Heineken, Miller Beer, American Airlines Rainbow Team, Driversselect, Enterprise Rent-a-car, Air America Radio 910, Barefoot Winery, Dallas Tavern Guild, Dallas Voice, Hewlett Packard, Interpride, Kiehl's, Lambda Legal, Lone Star Ambulance, North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce, Out In Dallas, P-Flag Dallas, Planet Bed, Sir Speedy and Starbucks.

Doughman said the generous contributions from corporate sponsors have allowed the parade to become more successful each year.

E-mail rainey@dallasvoice.com




This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, September 15, 2006.