Well, we stand with our
LGBTQ community year round.
But this month is a special
time to show our support.
Joining us live in studio to kick
Off Pride Month is the President of
Dallas Southern Pride Kirk Myers Hill.
Thanks for joining us.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah I I smiled about the hill part.
I'm newly married. I tober
Ohh newly married alright like wow
congratulations, thank you. Yes
it was the wedding of the century. But
OK, we'll talk about that at some point.
Let's talk right now though.
About Dallas Southern Pride
and how it got started.
Dallas Southern Pride was started as
an socialization opportunity for the
black LGBTQ community to come together
and socialize and and have pride in
in who they are and who they love.
And it was at the time when Dallas,
you know, on the strip Cedar Springs
were was asking black and brown
people for multiple forms of ID.
So it was a needed opportunity for
us to come together and socialize.
OK, this year, you know we've seen
legislation across the country and
right here in Texas that opponents
say targets the LGBTQ community.
How important is this Pride month
to the LGBTQ plus community? Well,
I think this this year as you've stated,
because there are so many of things
happening with the Supreme Court
rolling back potential rights.
That could affect not not only women's right,
but everyone's rights.
I think it's more important for us
to stand and be seen in solidarity
for this this year's Pride month
and what plans I know.
You guys have a lot of
plans for this Pride month,
but what plans does your
organization have right now? Ohh,
I mean we have a lot of plans and this year
we're really focusing on the unity, please.
Peace and so we're gonna have a lot
of family centric events this year,
which we haven't had in the past.
And so we start off.
Pride of Juneteenth Unity Festival weekend.
So, of course you have productivities today.
The raising of the Pride flag and
so then you have Dallas's pride.
But then you have our Juneteenth activities
that happen June 16th through the 19th,
and it will encompass a weekend of events
from Yale University coming in producing.
They're going to.
They're going to actually present
some of their initial findings on data
regarding black gay men in the country.
They're doing a study,
so that's going to happen here so.
Along with Yale University and John Hopkins,
so we're really excited that that's
happening and that data will be coming
out of Dallas during that weekend.
Also, Friday there's a big
welcome receptionist free.
It is sponsored by Gilead Sciences,
so we have some big powerhouse hitters
of sponsoring the event this year.
It's a host of parties and event,
but the biggest thing for us
would be these unity Juneteenth
Unity Festival and Pool party.
Yeah, and this year again,
we're talking about unity.
We have
money bag. Yo I'm sorry in the city
girls along with Salsa Santana so
that's quite a a you know
an unusual mix for sure.
No, that's a that's a major lineup.
I wanna make sure I get to some other stuff.
They're giving me my countdown look.
I saw you guys have a
swimsuit drive going on.
What is that all about?
How can people take part?
That's the family part.
So the the film, the the swimsuit Dr.
I'm sorry the swimsuit Dr
is for Sammy Grand Park,
but it's for the whole park and Recreation
Center throughout the city of Dallas.
What was explained to us is that hey.
The the patrons oftentimes were unable
to participate in the parks and the
aquatic centers because they didn't have
swimsuits and so abounding prosperity,
which is also an organization
that I run in Dallas.
Southern Pride took up the charge,
and so we are sponsoring the swimsuit Dr.
We've already purchased over
$1000 worth of swimsuits to align
with last week's Memorial Day,
and so it will be ongoing.
That is,
I got to get out of here.
Give me the Dallas Southern Pride
link that people find information.
Again, thank you, Dallas said. The pride.
The devil does to the pride.com
ohh, that's easy enough.
Thank you so much for your gift for
having me such good information.
Helping us kick off Pride month y'all yeah.