Bailey asked to resign from position as board member with Stonewall Democrats of Dallas

Shannon Bailey

John Shannon Bailey has stepped down from the board of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas after police ticketed him for allegedly engaging in oral sex with another man in a park near White Rock Lake.

Bailey, 49, is president of Texas Stonewall Democrats, the state's largest gay political organization. He also is a member of the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee. It was unclear Thursday, June 28, whether the situation would affect his involvement with the latter two organizations.

Contacted Monday, June 25, after his mug shot appeared on a Dallas Police Department Web site in connection with the alleged crime, Bailey declined comment. On Thursday, he did not return a voice message.

The incident occurred at about 11:15 p.m. on June 14 at 800 E. Lawther Drive in Dallas, according to police reports. Sgt. Edward Harvey said the area is well known for cruising by gay men.

"I understand that that is a place where that kind of activity is frequent," Harvey said. "I don't know numbers or anything like that. That's just from what I've heard."

Bailey and the other suspect were identified and released at the scene. The case will be turned over to the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, which must decide whether to file formal charges and issue an arrest warrant, Harvey said.

Stonewall Democrats of Dallas President Jesse Garcia issued a statement Thursday after a brief article about the incident appeared in The Dallas Morning News.

"The board of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas was shocked to hear about Shannon Bailey's charge," Garcia said. "We've asked Shannon to step down from the SDD board so he can fully pay attention to this serious matter. Pending this situation's outcome, the board will reserve any further comment."

Public lewdness is defined as committing an act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact in a public place. The charge is a class-A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail and a maximum $4,000 fine.

E-mail wright@dallasvoice.com

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, June 29, 2007.