LGBTQ Breaking News Service

It is no secret that mental illness is extremely stigmatized and mental healthcare is often inaccessible—and yet, mental health holds significant weight in our daily lives and society. Though the world is becoming more aware of how important it is to take care of oneself and others mentally as well as physically, it is slow going, and is a road riddled with difficulties. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are offering some supportive resources.

There are a variety of problems with the world of mental health conversations, spaces, and resources: care is expensive, hard to secure, and often rooted in ideas of white supremacy—in short, it’s full of elitism. Mental health resources, including medication and affirming therapy are hard to obtain at all without health insurance. These obstacles particularly affect those who are low income, disabled, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, trans people, gender non-conforming or non-binary folk, immigrants, and/or Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.

Below are some statistics detailing the extent to which people of color, low-income folk, women and LGBTQ+ community members need and lack mental health care:

• In 2017, according to the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey (Table A-7), “58.2 percent of Black and African American young adults 18-25 and 50.1 percent of adults 26-49 with serious mental illness did NOT receive treatment.”
• According to the American Psychological Association, “In 2013, the percentage of racial/ethnic minority groups within the psychology workforce was 16%, while the overall workforce was made up of 39.6%, and the general doctoral/professional workforce was 25.8%. Of the psychology workforce, Asians made up 4%, Blacks/African Americans 5%, Hispanics 5% and other racial/ethnic groups 2%.”
• According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for Refugees, Asylum-seekers and Survivors of Forced Displacement, “about one out of three asylum seekers and refugees experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).”
• According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for American Indians and Alaska Natives, “AI/AN children and adolescents have the highest rates of lifetime major depressive episodes and highest self-reported depression rates than any other ethnic/racial group.”
• According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for Women, “1 in 5 women in the United States has a mental health problem such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or an eating disorder.”
• According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, “2.7 million AA/PIs have a mental and/or substance use disorder.” Also, “AA/PIs are least likely to seek mental health services than any other racial/ethnic group.”
• According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for Hispanics and Latinos, “studies have shown that older Hispanic adults and Hispanic youth are especially vulnerable to psychological stresses associated with immigration and acculturation.”
• According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for LGBTQ people, “the rate of suicide attempts is four times greater for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and two times greater for questioning youth than that of heterosexual youth.”

Within these communities especially, therapy and conversations around mental health in general are too often looked down upon or not spoken of at all. All too often within my own Mexican, first-generation immigrant family, I hear phrases like “it’s too expensive”, “tough it out”, or “a therapist doesn’t know anything about you, us, and/or our situation”. The stigmatization and the high cost of mental health make it hard to access and, when accessed, create problems with true healing and treatment. We must work to eliminate capitalistic and white supremacist structures within our mental health systems.

While the issues with mental health accessibility and structures are far from being solved, it is still important that those in marginalized communities have access to mental health resources. These groups especially need to have access to professionals and spaces that are from their communities. Black people need Black therapists. Trans people need gender-affirming care.  All communities at the margins need access to those that understand their issues and can provide the space, time, and resources that will help create lasting, positive mental health.

Below is a list of resources that are low-income friendly, free or charge on a sliding scale. They are mental health centers, therapists, psychiatrists, counselors, collectives, and more that are supportive of LGBTQ+, gender non-conforming, non-binary, Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and other POC community members. Because many of them deal with the intersections of identities, they are not separated into categories, but they do include short descriptions and links.

Credit for much of this list goes to @ablackfemaletherapist on IG, who put together a graphic on Instagram some months ago. As a reminder, it is often Black women, and members within the communities being spoken of, that do much of the labor for their own communities and the world — whether that be for mental health or any other community needs.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center: offers programs, services, and global advocacy for LGBT people that span four categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, and Leadership and Advocacy.

The Center: NYC LGBT Community center that offers health and wellness programs, arts, entertainment, and cultural events, parenthood and family support services, and connection to community and resources.

IHI Therapy Center: NYC-based non-profit psychotherapy and training center that provides LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy and focuses on creating “personal growth free of traditional gender, sexual orientation, and cultural biases.”

The DC Center for the LGBT Community: Washington, DC-based center for LGBT community that offers health and wellness programs, arts, entertainment, and cultural events, parenthood and family support services, and connection to community and resources.

Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: a non-profit, nationwide network of mental health professionals providing reduced-rate, in-office and virtual mental health care to individuals, couples, children, and families.

Inclusive Therapists: a nationwide network of therapists that aim to make the therapist process simpler and safer for Black, Indigenous, people of color, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community by matching you with a therapist. They also advocate for mental health care to disabled people and honor the neurodiversity spectrum.

National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network: provides a nationwide network of therapists for Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as a Mental Health Fund that is designed to provide financial support for psychotherapy to QTBIPOC.

The Loveland Foundation: “provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy nationally.”

Soulace: “a virtual therapy app for Black people with Black therapists,”; matches clients with therapists, and clients have access to text and video therapy sessions.

Clinicians of Color: a network of therapists/matching tool for people of color to find clinicians of color near them, filtered by insurance, treatment style, and other preferences.

Trap Therapist: “a collective of mental health professionals from urban, low income backgrounds who offer counseling and community mental health programming to individuals in and from marginalized communities.”

Ayana Therapy: an app that “matches users with licensed professionals that share their unique traits, values, and sensibilities.”

Latinx Therapy: a directory of therapists, courses and workshops, wellness resources, and more for Latinx people.

A Therapist Like Me: a non-profit “dedicated to connecting minority-identifying clients to minority-identifying therapists, advancing therapists of color, [and] providing financial gifts to minority-identifying clients for psychotherapy…”

Therapy for Queer People of Color: based in Atlanta, this is a mental health network and group therapy practice with the “goal to increase access to quality and inclusive mental healthcare for queer and trans folks of color.”

Healing in Color: a directory of BIPOC therapists who are committed to supporting BIPOC through individual and collective healing.

Therapy for Latinx: therapist directory for Latinx folk to find supportive and accessible therapists.

South Asian Therapists: therapist directory for South Asian folk around the world, including dietitians, coaching, and more.

Asian Mental Health Collective: collective that provides mental health resources and community for the Asian community around the world; “From organizations to artists, these are people who are trying to pave the way for the acceptance and normalization of Asian mental health issues.”

Therapy for Black Men: directory of therapists and coaches nationwide that aim to provide judgement-free, multiculturally-competent, and need-based care to Black men.

Therapy for Black Girls: directory of therapists, community, and resources for Black women; “this space was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant.”

Therapy that Liberates: directory of Black and Brown therapists for Black and Brown clients that want to find therapy that dismantles “colonial, oppressive, racist, binary systems”, “honor(s) Black Diasporic healing traditions”, and more.

Black Therapist Network: aims to “raise awareness about mental health and to reduce challenges in accessing mental health” by providing a Black therapist network.

Melanin and Mental Health: a directory of therapists and resources for Black people and other people of color to connect with other therapists and clients.

This list is by no means all of the resources out there—feel free to share more resources in the comments.

*Note: The American Humanist Association is providing this list for informational purposes only. We have not vetted and do not necessarily endorse the providers on this list. Please make sure to research any healthcare provider you choose.

A person displays a sign reading “Trans Rights are Human Rights” during the Portland Pride Parade and Festival on 16 June 2019, in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Telegraph

Rory Burns stakes England claim with impressive half-century in challenging conditions

It was a strong case for reinstatement. Rory Burns made no more than 55, but it was the way he scored them – sturdily, in very demanding conditions, and rhythmically, like an international opening batsman – which suggested he is ready to resume as England’s number one. Burns was dropped after only four Test innings in India, in one of which he copped an unplayable first-baller from Ravi Ashwin. Burns was unlucky in his dismissal here too: a standard defensive shot hit the ball down into his crease, whereupon it bounced up and brushed the off bail. Difficult conditions brought out the best in Burns. A verdant pitch, sent in by Somerset, floodlights on soon after the 2pm start, as much playing and missing as playing and hitting in the first half-hour: Burns, in short, fancied the scrap. Burns is a pragmatist whereas his opening partner and the former England opener Mark Stoneman is a perfectionist. Unruffled by playing and missing early on, Burns put Surrey in charge by driving the change-bowlers Marchant de Lange and Tom Abell so they only had four overs each, in addition to putting away everything on his legs. Without Craig Overton to lead their attack, Somerset were not the force they have otherwise been in this year’s championship, missing his speed, movement and accuracy. Overton, while taking his 32 wickets this season, has conceded just over two runs an over. Even though the ball was jagging around, and Josh Davey was tight, Surrey whizzed along at more than three. Tom Banton, who has played 15 white-ball games for England, kept wicket for the first time in a championship match, while Steve Davies had a minor operation. A keeper who is taller than his neighbouring slips always looks odd but Somerset have had another tall one in Rob Turner, whose height did not stop him being one of the best in England. Banton had a skyer to catch, and did so safely enough, when Ollie Pope went to pull a ball not quite short enough. Frenetic by the end in India, Pope is still being eager, very eager, this season: his 516 runs have come off 673 balls, by far the fastest rate among leading run-scorers. The floodlights which had to be turned on in the first hour stayed on until the close. Electricity would be saved if the ball was the colour it is traditionally supposed to be: red. Nothing in the laws specifies the colour of a cricket ball, but umpires and captains have to agree before the game on the balls being used, and unanimity might be lacking if the home team produces balls that are purple or green. Like so many modern balls, the one in this game is nearer nut-brown than red. Bowlers habitually choose the darkest ball they can get, in the belief that it will swing more. Thus they become darker and darker, when a red dye – proper red, like a bus or pillar-box – would be more visible, to the benefit of all.

The Gay Agenda

Have an event coming up? Email your information to Managing Editor Tammye Nash at nash@dallasvoice.com or Senior Staff Writer David Taffet at taffet@dallasvoice.com by Wednesday at 5 p.m. for that week’s issue.

The Gay Agenda is now color-coded: Red for community events; blue for arts and entertainment; purple for sports; green for nightlife and orange for civic events and holidays.

• Every Monday: THRIVE

Resource Center’s THRIVE Support Group for people 50 and older meets virtually from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. led by a SMU Intern from their counseling program. A secure Zoom Room opens at 11:30 a.m. for people to join and chat. Email THRIVE@myresourcecenter.org to request the link.

• Every Tuesday: Totally Tuesdays

A night of totally fetch throwbacks hosted by Marissa Kage. Masks required. 11 p.m. at The Round-Up Saloon, 3912 Cedar Springs Road.

• Weekly: Frontrunners

Meet in Lee Park where the old statue stood on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m. for a one-hour walk/run on the Katy Trail.

• Biweekly: Hope Cottage Foster Parent Information Meeting

Hope Cottage holds information meetings for those interested in becoming foster parents. The meetings are held alternately on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m. For information email Clyde Hemminger at chemminger@hopecottage.org.

MAY

• May 14-15: Texas Justice: Brandon Woodruff

Documentary about a Texas man wrongly convicted of murdering his parents simply because he is gay at 6 p.m. at Texan Theater, 2712 Lee St., Greenville. $7.50. $20 includes chicken dinner. Friday sold out so a show on Saturday at 6 p.m. has been added.

• May 14-16: Ballet Al Fresco

Texas Ballet Theater presents Ballet Al Fresco, a collection of classic and contemporary pieces on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Annette Strauss Square, 2403 Flora St.

• May 14: Tickets on sale

Tickets for the Enrique Iglesias & Ricky Martin concert on Nov. 3 at American Airlines Center go on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

• May 15: COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Coalition for Aging LGBT presents a Pfizer vaccine clinic with a 15-minute observation period. Second shot scheduled on-site after receiving first. Appointments available from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road. Register at cfa.lgbt/covid19resources.

• Through May 15: #DigitalConnection

The Elevator Project 2021 presents #DigitalConnection presented by mixamotus, a human-digital interface art exploration that blends dance, music, and video mapping technology to create an immersive new media performance at the Wyly Theatre, 2400 Flora St. at 8 p.m. Tickets at tickets.attpac.org/production/55205.

• May 15-June 19: Rusty Scruby

Gay artist Rusty Scruby has a solo exhibit called Comfort at Cris Worley Fine Arts, 1845 E. Levee St. Suite 110. Open house on May 15 from noon-4 p.m. CrisWorley.com.

• May 16: National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day

• May 16: AIDS Candlelight Memorial

The 38th annual Texas AIDS Candlelight Memorial experience will be held virtually. CandlelightMemorial.net. Facebook.com/events/502893264070429.

• May 16: Wedding and event open house

The Yacht Club invites all event hosts, brides, and families to come see the renovated space on Lake Ray Hubbard. Same-sex couples getting married are warmly welcomed. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at The Yacht Club, 501 Yacht Club Road, Rockwall. Free but registration required at Eventbrite.com/e/the-yacht-club-open-house-tickets-147422971075?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

• May 16: Crawfish for a Cause

Crawfish for a Cause: Mental Health Matters sponsored by Mental Health America of Greater Dallas is an online event with music and info on how important mental well-being is including information for the LGBTQ community. Free but a $25 donation includes a t-shirt. Tickets at eventbrite.com/e/crawfish-for-a-cause-tickets-148835413729?fbclid=IwAR1H9Usp9pvwTgXDPP2fs69CzmSveXQ8ilXLg_8k_VGiOSXfypVI_-Njnfg.

• Through May 16: Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again

Thirty-year retrospective of artist Shirin Neshat’s work runs through May 16 at The Modern, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth. TheModern.org.

• Through May 17: Cufflink Art group show

Group show in a variety of mediums includes meticulous graphite drawings by Marshall Harris, subliminal compositions through oil on canvas by Linda Shobe, personal storytelling via collage by Dwight Owsley, intimate close-up portraits from the perspective of Nathan Madrid, dark yet mischievous concrete sculptures by Ross Bonfanti, and digitally abstract maps manipulated by Scott Anderson. Cufflink Art, Dickson-Jenkins Lofts and Plaza, 120 St. Louis Ave. Suite 149, Fort Worth. CufflinkArt.com.

• May 19: Unity

A virtual and in-person party benefiting the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance DFW Chapter and Dallas Hope Charities with Marsha Dimes streamed live at 7 p.m. on YouTube and at MarshaDimes.com/unity and in the Red Room at the Round-Up Saloon, 3912 Cedar Springs Road.

• Through May 19: Texas Gypsies

Sammons Center for the Arts presents a virtual concert featuring Steve Curry on guitar and vocals, Tony Baker, Brian Sandridge, Joe Perez, Andrew Griffith and Travis Udall . Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and are presented as 48-hour rentals on Vimeo. $10. Members free. SammonsArtCenter.org.

• May 20: DIY Terrarium with Jade & Clover

Go online to order a ticket, which includes a do-it-yourself terrarium kit from Jade & Clover, 2633 Main St. Pick up kit by May 19. then tune in to the terrarium class via Zoom on May 20. Link emailed to participants. Proceeds benefit Prism Health North Texas. Visit bit.ly/2Q7M6A7. $45.

• May 21: Federal Club

Transforming from ally to advocate. A discussion of how an in-group can advance the interests of an oppressed or marginalized out-group. To be a part of the discussion of how allies can become strategic players, visit DFWFederalClub.org.

• May 22: Pilobolus in the Garden

A TITAS-commissioned site-specific work, Pilobolus in the Garden will take audience members through a physically and emotionally moving performance experience that explores the vistas of the sculpture garden while exploring the nature of nature. Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St. at noon, 1:30 p.m. 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets at ATTPAC.org.

• Through May 22: Butterflies Are Free

Rover Dramawerks presents the classic comedy Butterflies are Free by Leonard Gershe at The Core Theatre, 518 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson. Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. RoverDramaWerks.com.

• May 22-23: The Wars of the Roses

Shakespeare Dallas presents a staged reading of Shakespeare’s history plays: Henry VI Part I, Henry VI Part II, Henry VI Part III and Richard III at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre, 6000 E. Grand Ave. at noon.

• May 22-23: Dallas Black Dance Theater

DBDT’s Spring Celebration performance features guest artist Alicia Graf Mack, dean and director of the Juilliard School. The virtual performance can be streamed from Saturday at 7 p.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m. $30 per household. DBDT.com.

• May 23: WOOD/SHOP

The third in a series of three programs features innovative new works by Bruce Wood Dance company dancers Weaver Rhodes and Seth York at 4 p.m. on Zoom. Free. Register at BruceWoodDance.org.

• Through May 23: Cotton Patch Gospel

This rustic musical full of bluegrass, country, and gospel music is “the greatest story ever retold.” Outdoors at the back lot of The Firehouse Theatre, 2535 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch. $36. TheFirehouseTheatre.com.

• May 25: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

• May 27-29: Tenants/Tenets

TENANTS/TENETS is a futurist dance theatre performance that spontaneously generates a fully functioning society in which its community must determine their responsibility to each other, based on their individual identities, presented by Very Good Dance Theatre at the Wyly Theatre, 2400 Flora St. at 8 p.m. Tickets at tickets.attpac.org/production/55208.

• May 29: Musical Moments

Coalition for Aging LGBT presents a virtual concert series featuring LGBTQ artists and allies the last Saturday of the month at 3 p.m. To register, visit cfa.lgbt/musicalmoments.

• May 29: Our Odyssey

Utilizing artistic expression to stimulate increased awareness about Pan-African experiences with racial injustice, Bandan Koro and special guests will explore and engage with audiences of all ages and backgrounds about the ongoing plight for justice and equality while reinforcing our collective power to change the future experience. Strauss Square, 2389 Flora St. at 8 p.m. Tickets at tickets.attpac.org/booking/production/bestavailable/55865.

• Through May 31: A Celebration of Friendship

Artist Melanie Brannan is raising funds for the AIM at Melanoma Foundation with an exhibit that explores the meaning of friendship and the potential loss of that relationship with 20 paintings that chronicle her friendship with someone struggling with a diagnosis of nodular melanoma. From noon-5 p.m. on Monday-Friday and at all public events at Messanine Gallery at the Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson.

JUNE

• June 3: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

• June 3-6 and 10-13: Hamlet Project

Shakespeare Dallas presents Hamlet Project, a world premiere performance event where actors perform a one-person interpretation of Hamlet with 16 actors given only 24 hours to prepare prior to curtain at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre, 6000 E. Grand Ave. at 8:15 p.m.

• June 3-13: Hamlet Project

Shakespeare Dallas presents Hamlet Project. ShakespeareDallas.org at 8:15 p.m.

• June 3-July 4: The Music Man

Theatre Three presents a 10-person, boutique production of The Music Man outdoors at Coppell Senior Center

345 W Bethel Road, Coppell on June 3–13, in Oak Lawn at Union Coffee Shop, 3705 Cedar Springs Road from June 16–27 and Texas Discovery Gardens, 3601 MLK Blvd. on June 30– July 4. Tickets are $75 for a 2-person socially distant square. Theatre3Dallas.com.

• June 4-5: Dallas Pride

Dallas Pride is back with a 2021 celebration to raise awareness and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s events will take place Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5, and will be the best version of what is possible at this time, prioritizing public health while providing numerous opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to experience visibility, solidarity, and joy. In addition to the outside, in-person experiences, the event will also be streamed online for those who feel more comfortable watching from home.

Both events will be held outdoors, in the Band Shell at Fair Park, and gates will open at 7 p.m. On Friday night, the event will feature musical entertainment. On Saturday evening, a variety show hosted by entertainer Marsha Dimes will feature local and regional entertainment including Kennedy Davenport, The Fly Queens, The Sisters-in-Action, the Rose Room cast, Sister Helen Holy, and Anton Shaw, in addition to other entertainers to be announced.

• June 4-5: Cinderella

Ballet North Texas presents the story of an ordinary girl experiencing one magical night, thanks to her Fairy Godmother and a pair of glass slippers featuring Prokofiev’s jubilant score. Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. Tickets at ATTPAC.org.

• June 4-5: Taste Addison

Since its inception in 1993, Taste Addison has earned a reputation for curating the most exciting collection of musical entertainment and pairing it with a menu of culinary treats that showcases the city’s celebrated restaurant history. On Friday, the David Whiteman Band covers a wide range of genres, Emerald City Band plays danceable Top 40 covers and Flo Rida sings rap. On stage on Saturday are Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show, Lit, Hoobastank, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Third Eye Blind. Friday 6 p.m.-midnight. Saturday 2 p.m.-midnight. Addison Circle Park

4970 Addison Circle, Addison. Tickets at TasteAddisonTexas.com.

• June 5: Bloomin Ball

Benefit for AIN. Thelma Houston performs. Cocktails, silent auction, three-course seated meal with a performance by Denise Lee, after party with drinks and dancing from 6 p.m.-midnight at Renaissance Dallas Hotel, 2222 N. Stemmons Freeway. AINDallas.org.

• June 10: PFLAG Dallas

Virtual support meeting for parents, family and friends of LGBTQ people meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Register for link at PFLAGDallas.org.

• June 12: Queer Reads

Queer Reads is an online book club meets the second Saturday of every month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register at dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/events/queer-reads-book-club-0.

• June 13: Catholic Pride

New Ways Ministries is hosting Catholic LGBTQ Pride with an interactive prayer service on Zoom from 2-3 p.m. central time. Register at NewWaysMinistry.org.

• June 15-17: DEI Conference

The Texas Diversity Equity & Inclusion Conference virtually brings together LGBT Chamber member businesses and other certified businesses, DEI professionals, supplier diversity professionals, employee resource group members and more.

• June 18: Federal Club

HRC DFW Federal Club cocktails and conversation as members and guests meet virtually. DFWFederalClub.org for details.

• June 18: Pride Party +

Virtual kick-off from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

• June 18: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

• June 18: Music in the Park

Brianne Sargent & Friends String Trio performs at 8:15 p.m. at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater, 6200 E. Grand Ave. Tickets at ShakespeareDallas.org.

• June 18-20: Juneteenth Unity Weekend 2021

Hosted by Dallas Southern Pride. Free. Sheraton Suites Market Center, 2101 N. Stemmons Freeway is the host hotel. Code DSP for $89 rate. Ultimate Mega Party at Gilley’s Dallas, 1135 S. Lamar St. on Saturday from 10 p.m.-3 a.m.

• June 18-Sept. 5: Jurassic World: The Exhibition

You’ve seen the films. Now experience them in real life at Jurassic World: The Exhibition. Educational, immersive, interactive and most of all, awesome, the Exhibition will thrill audiences of all ages as they come face to face with these mighty and sometimes vicious creatures. Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony.

• June 19: Music in the Park

Bobby Sparks, Cure for Paranoia and The Grays perform at 8:15 p.m. at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater, 6200 E. Grand Ave. Tickets at ShakespeareDallas.org.

• June 19: Pride Party +

Virtual and on-site programming from the Dallas Arts District from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

• June 20: Pride Party +

Virtual and on-site programming from the Dallas Arts District from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Through June 20: Frida Kahlo: Five Works

Five works by Frida Kahlo from a private collection including four paintings and a drawing will be on display in the atrium on level 4 at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St. DMA.org.

• June 22: Get Centered tour

Virtual Resource Center tour streams for free at 5 p.m. Registration required. MyResourceCenter.org.

• June 26: Musical Moments

Coalition for Aging LGBT presents a virtual concert series featuring LGBTQ artists and allies the last Saturday of the month at 3 p.m. To register, visit cfa.lgbt/musicalmoments.

• June 26: Trinity Pride

A hybrid celebration will consist of a live stream of Virtual Trinity Pride Fest on Facebook Live as well as at official Trinity Pride Partner locations throughout Fort Worth at 7 p.m.

• June 27-Sept. 5: Buddha, Shiva, Lotus, Dragon

The Kimbell Art Museum presents Buddha, Shiva, Lotus, Dragon: The Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection at Asia Society, a collection of sculptures, bronzes, ceramics and metalwork. Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth. KimbellMuseum.org.

• June 30: AIDS Walk South Dallas

Tenth anniversary AIDS Walk South Dallas 5K run/walk kicks off at 8 a.m. This year’s theme “Intensifying The Fight for Health and Rights” extends the mission which is to inspire, educate and galvanize the community of South Dallas and surrounding areas to continue to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and assist those impacted. MLK Jr. Community Center, 2922 MLK Jr. Blvd. From $25.

• June 30-July 4, July 8-11, July 15-18 and July 22-24: The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)

Shakespeare Dallas presents parodies of the plays of William Shakespeare performed in comically shortened form by three actors at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre, 6000 E. Grand Ave. at 8:15 p.m.

JULY

• July 4: Independence Day

• July 8: PFLAG Dallas

Virtual support meeting for parents, family and friends of LGBTQ people meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Register for link at PFLAGDallas.org.

• July 10: Queer Reads

Queer Reads is an online book club meets the second Saturday of every month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register at dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/events/queer-reads-book-club-0.

• July 16: Federal Club

The history of LGBTQ in North texas, Part 2. Dr. Stephen Pounders discusses the history of the AIDS crisis in North Texas. For information, visit DFWFederalClub.org.

• July 16: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

• Now through July 10: Lonesome Dove: Photos by Bill Wittliff

Lonesome Dove — Larry McMurtry’s epic novel of two aging Texas Rangers who drive a herd of stolen cattle 2,500 miles from the Rio Grande to Montana to found the first ranch there — truly captured public imagination. The Lonesome Dove Miniseries, which first aired on CBS in 1989, lassoed an even wider audience. Capturing the sweeping visual imagery of the original miniseries, the Lonesome Dove exhibition presents classic images taken during filming by Bill Wittliff, renowned photographer, writer, and executive producer of Lonesome Dove. The images, however, are worlds apart from ordinary production stills, depicting an extraordinary union of art, literature, and history. Dupree Lobby, Irving Arts Center, 3333 North MacArthur Blvd., Irving.

• Through July 25: Cubism in Color: The Still Lifes of Juan Gris

First U.S. exhibit of cubist Juan Gris in 35 years with more than 40 of his paintings and collages. Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St. DMA.org.

• July 27: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

AUGUST

• Aug. 3: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

• Aug. 3-Sept. 5: Wicked

Dallas Summer Musicals is back with a return of the musical Wicked, a look at what happened in Oz from a different angle. The Music Hall at Fair Park. DallasSummerMusicals.org.

• Aug. 12: PFLAG Dallas

Virtual support meeting for parents, family and friends of LGBTQ people meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Register for link at PFLAGDallas.org.

• Aug 13: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

• Aug. 20-21: New Media Artworks

New media artworks by Refik Anadol and Quayola commissioned by Fort Worth will premiere as the first of four major public art projects at Will Rogers Memorial Center. Free.

• Aug. 24: Get Centered tour

Virtual Resource Center tour streams for free at 5 p.m. Registration required. MyResourceCenter.org.

• Aug. 30: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

SEPTEMBER

• Sept. 3: Name and gender change workshop

Lambda Legal discusses what the process looks like in Texas to secure state and federal identity documents. Lawyers can receive CLE credit. Meeting via Zoom. LambdaLegal.org.

• Sept. 9: PFLAG Dallas

Virtual support meeting for parents, family and friends of LGBTQ people meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Register for link at PFLAGDallas.org.

• Sept. 24: Awards luncheon

The LGBT Chamber’s 2021 Business & Community Excellence Awards Luncheon.

• Sept. 24: Wynonna Judd and Cactus Moser

Wynonna Judd and Cactus Moser perform live at The Kessler, 1230 W. Davis St. Tickets at Prekindle.com.

• Sept. 24-26: Dallas Black Pride

• Sept. 24-26: LGBTQ Outdoorfest

LGBT Outdoors camping weekend will feature hands-on outdoors workshops and that magic community building that can only take place outdoors around a campfire. Rainbow Ranch in Groesbeck.

• Sept. 25: North Texas Pride “Come As You are” Festival

North Texas Pride Foundation brings the community together to celebrate Pride in diversity. Sponsor and vendor booths, food and beverage, give aways, adult and kid activities, bands, DJ, dancing and entertainment. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saigling House, 902 E. 16th St., Plano. Free.

• Sept. 25: Texas Latinx Prid Fest 2021

From 2-9 p.m.

• Sept. 25-Jan. 9: Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair

Introducing a dozen new ornate works by the multidisciplinary artist, Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair will open this fall at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (the Carter). The exhibition debuts the latest evolution of Agha’s luminous lantern-like sculptures—two site-specific installation pieces commissioned by the Carter—alongside a corresponding series of drawings that elevate practices traditionally assigned as female handiwork, such as embroidery. Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth. Free. CarterMuseum.org.

OCTOBER

• Oct. 3: LifeWalk

• Oct. 14: PFLAG Dallas

Virtual support meeting for parents, family and friends of LGBTQ people meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Register for link at PFLAGDallas.org.

• Oct. 20: Andrea Bocelli

Legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli brings his Believe World Tour to Dallas. 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center. Tickets at ATTPAC.org.

• Oct. 26: Get Centered tour

Virtual Resource Center tour streams for free at 5 p.m. Registration required. MyResourceCenter.org.

A video of a Christian mother exorcising her gay daughter’s room has gone viral.

“If you’re wondering what religious abuse is, here,” wrote TikToker Selia Brookes on the video. She says that she’s “gay, gay, gay” and

Related: A priest performed an exorcism on a rainbow cross because it’s sacrilegious

In the video, which has been viewed almost 250,000 times, a woman – presumably Brookes’s mother – can be heard denouncing “foul spirits” and “lying spirits” as she touches a bedroom door.

“Satan, I rebuke you, in the name of Jesus, in the name above all names!” she shouts. “Praise you, Jesus!”

The mother leaves, the teen closes the door and is either laughing or crying.

Brookes used the hashtag #emancipation on the video, suggesting that she is considering moving out of her home before she’s 18.

The video drew sympathy on TikTok and was later shared on Twitter, where more people expressed support for the teen.

A later video posted by Brookes shows her dancing with, presumably, her significant other and she used the hashtag #gaycouples. The door appears to be closed.

Much has been said about the Equality Act when it comes to advancing LGBT rights. President Joe Biden has implored for Congress “to swiftly pass the historic legislation” in a February White House brief and echoed similar urging in his speech to Congress several weeks ago.

As popular as this legislation is, it may surprise some that there is an alternate measure to the Equality Act. This alternate legislation, titled Fairness for All, was reintroduced by Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah in February. Heralded as a “political breakthrough” by Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institute, this legislation was the outcome of “over seven years of conversation and relationship-building” between LGBT and religious groups and was modeled after an earlier Utah law called The Utah Compromise. The Utah Compromise has been successful since its passage five years ago and has shown that a winner-take-all approach is not needed to secure rights for the LGBT and religious community.

Essentially, Fairness for All would also outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but additionally would “expand legal protections for people of faith.” Unfortunately, The Equality Act has no such provisions for religion and in fact would narrow “existing religious-liberty protections,” according to Rauch.

This fact has been noted by Tyler Deaton, a senior adviser to the American Unity Fund, an organization that “advances the cause of freedom for LGBTQ Americans and religious freedom.” In a piece for the Hill, Deaton, who is gay, writes that the Equality Act will not pass unless “it grapples honestly with religious freedom.” Moreover, the biggest mistake of the Equality Act, he writes, is its “unwillingness even to protect the sorts of religious freedoms that are constitutionally guaranteed.”

Perhaps what makes the Equality Act so historic is that it hasn’t passed in the 45 years since its initial introduction in 1974, primarily because of the legislation’s refusal to compromise and work with the conservative community. On the other hand, Fairness for All has support from such conservative churches and groups like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Seventh Day Adventists, among others. Such support is significant.

In the words of Stewart, this nation has “wasted enough time, energy, and money fighting over who deserves which legal protections.” The time is now to find alternatives to the largely one-sided Equality Act and endorse legislation that draws on discussion from both sides. Stewart and Utah have shown us a better path. This better path would secure needed rights for the LGBT community without driving a wedge.

Indeed, we need legislation that crafts civil liberties with a scalpel and not an ax. Fairness for All exhibits such a careful and sensitive approach in securing rights for both the LGBT community and the religious conservative, without engaging in the divisive rhetoric that is increasingly plaguing both sides.

The rights of the LGBT community and the religious conservative are important. Why, I ask you, can’t we have both?

Jacob Olson is a native of Utah and is currently a graduate student at the University of Iowa. Upon graduation, he intends to remain in Iowa and teach social studies education. Contact: crosscountryjacob@gmail.com.

Charles Peruto. (Screen capture via YouTube)