Well-known personality in the Dallas gay community, Venton Jones, became a key figure in the creation of two new organizations to the scene. Venton serves a full-time project coordinator for United Black Ellument, a community where young black men ages 18-29 become empowered about HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as President of DFW Pride Movement, hosts of a new Black gay pride in Dallas and I spoke with him about both here.

Speaking of DFW Pride Movement, if you missed The Movement’s keynote address presented by Christopher Bates, executive director of the President’s Council on HIV/AIDS, you owe to yourself to listen.

With the election of, and soon to follow inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama, a group of young activists under the moniker, Queer Liberation, became even more visible and controversial on the Dallas gay scene. Inspired by (though independent of) Join The Impact, Queer Liberation became a polarizing force urging local and national political figures to recognize gay marriage and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. I covered their protest for repealing DOMA in January here, and interviewed the group’s main founder, Blake Wilkinson, later in the year.

The weekly variety show, Lambda Weekly celebrated over 25 years on the air at KNON 89.3FM and now, with recently changes at Rational Radio 1360 AM being solely online due to lease non-renewal, they are not only the longest-running broadcast but they are only broadcast show in Dallas dedicated to queer issues. Listen to the interview with co-hosts David Taffet, Lerone Landis, and Patti Fink here. David Taffet also works for the Dallas Voice, who also celebrated 25 years of publication in 2009. Congratulations!

Actor, filmmaker, and social media expert, Q. Ragsdale also debuted her new media outlet, Q-Roc.TV in 2009, during the Queer Film Series at Black Cinematheque Dallas in the South Side Cultural Center. Check out her work at q-roc.tv.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, as well as a raid that took place in Ft. Worth hours earlier at the Rainbow Lounge, the individuals of Equality March Texas stepped on the scene with a march and rally in June. Citizens in the community were divided on the march (before learning of the Rainbow Lounge raid later that day) because some felt it was simply a duplication of the Alan Ross Freedom Parade which happens in September. However, for those who were like myself, it was fun and empowering (albeit, stupid hot-weather wise) experience. Watch my video below about the march.

Jesse Garcia, president of LULAC 4871, also known as the Rainbow Chapter of LULAC talks about how that chapter came to be and the upcoming immigration issues before Congress in the winter / spring of 2010. Catch our conversation here.

DFW BI-NET is back on the scene in big way this year, thanks in part to its new president, Matt Goodman, who shared his story of being Jewish and Bi here on the podcast.

Finally, yours truly has joined with local artist, actor, and all-around great guy, Harold Steward to being the work of Fahari Arts Institute. Proudly celebrating the Black gay artistic expression in all its forms, you can catch Harold and straight ally co-host and actress, Ashley Wilkerson at the monthly “Queerly Speaking” events at the Backbeat Cafe in downtown Dallas. Keep your eye on Fahari’s Facebook fan page to find out when the next events will be happening because we’ll be bringing a lot more than poetry in 2010.

Related posts:

1. Artists and LGBT advocates converge in Southern Dallas in March 2010
2. Podcast conversations from 2009 with LGBT authors
3. LGBT student scholarship events coming up in Dallas

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Our interview was recorded at Spiral Diner in Oak Cliff. Late in the interview, you’ll hear what must’ve have been the effects of the cook being overcaffinated as he rings the kitchen bell like he’s lost his mind.

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Music by:

Jay-J
“Love Alive (feat. Charlene Moore)” (mp3)
from “Love Alive Remix Contest Winners”
(Shifted Music)

More On This Album

Dubmatix
“Ain’t Got No Love Dub” (mp3)
from “Dread & Gold – Dub from the Smoke Factory”
(7 Arts Entertainment)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Puretracks
More On This Album

Plastic Operator
“Peppermint” (mp3)
from “Peppermint – EP”
(Fine Day Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

For more on the immigration reform angle, be sure to catch David Taffet’s story in the Dallas Voice on Rafiq Salleh and Cannon Flowers’s immigration battles.

Related posts:

1. Podcast: Interview with Dennis Coleman, part 2
2. Podcast: Interview with DFW Bi-Net member.
3. Podcast Conversations 8 – Rosa and Koreine, part 2.

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