Dallas is conservative and in the south (Texas), but nonetheless, there is a very large gay community. This includes the largest predominantly gay church in the world, The Cathedral of Hope. With this in mind, there are lots of opportunities for gay teens. Meeting places for gay teens in Dallas include dance clubs, various hang-outs and youth groups.
Youth Groups
Journey Out meets every Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the HYCC (owned by the Cathedral of Hope) located at 5738 Cedar Springs. This youth group is run by a lesbian couple. For more info, call: (214) 351-1901
10% Youth meets every Wednesday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the HYCC located at 5738 Cedar Springs. It is run by Bess, and runs on a monthly cycle. The first Wednesday of every month is a Crash Course on dating and relationships. The second Wednesday is the Hook Up where the group meets at a nearby restaurant or area hangout. The third Wednesday is the Check Up where you can have a free HIV test and get other health tips. The fourth Wednesday is the Drop In. The meeting is more informal and you can "drop in" between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM. For more info, call: (214) 521-5342 x2923.
Youth First Texas meets every Thursday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center located at 2701 Reagan St., at the corner of Reagan and Brown. Youth First Texas is run by a group of people. The adult sponsor of the group is Cowboy Bob. A couple times Youth First Texas will sponsor trips. Recently, on March 18-19, the group took over thirty youth to Austin to participate in the March Against Hate on March 18th and then participate in the Queer Youth Lobby Day on March 19th. For more info, call: (214) 521-5342 x1760.
YFT is sponsoring a newly forming "Young Women’s Issues Group for Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender, and Questioning Female Youth, Ages 14 – 22"
When: 2nd and 4th Friday of each month
Where: HYCC building, 5738 Cedar Springs at Inwood
First meeting: May 11, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Provided by Youth First Texas and facilitated by adult volunteers.
GLAD - UNT GLBTS Student Organization. Meets every Wednesday at 7:30 in General Academics Building, Room 317.
PRIDE - Texas Womens's University GLBTS Student Organization. Meets every Wednesday at 12:30 in the Student Center. For more info, contact lizzydeane@yahoo.com
SMU has a Gay Lesbian Bisexual Student Organization - more info soon...
Hang Outs
Well there’s the obvious gay hang-outs. It’s true – Gap, Banana Republic, Kenneth Cole and some other clothing stores tend to have a large share of gay employees (no this isn’t just stereotyping, I have gay friends that work there and they’ll tell you they’re like mostly gay - I’ve dated two guys that work for Banana Republic - different stores). OK - but hanging out at a clothing store is like dumb, boring, and pointless. There are several fun places to hang out "on the strip" – meaning on Cedar Springs.
Crossroads Market is a coffee shop and bookstore, specializing in books of interest to gays. It is right at the corner of Throckmorten of Cedar Springs. When there’s good weather, frequently people will sit outside Crossroads as there are tables and chairs on the patio. Lots of people watching too…. As I mention the bookstore, I also mention the free weekly paper for the Dallas gay community, the Dallas Voice. Another statewide free gay paper is the Texas Triangle. Dallas also has a weekly gay radio show, Lambda Weekly every Sunday afternoon from 1-2 PM on KNON 89.3.
At another corner of Cedar Springs and Throckmorten is Hunky’s – a hamburger joint that is a popular hang out as well. There food is pretty good – but a little greasy. Also on the strip are more restaurants including Luby’s Cafeteria, an Italian restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, Café Brazil (open 24/7) and a Black Eyed Pea. There’s also several clothing stores, Tapelenders – a video rental store, and several clubs and bars that are 21+. JR’s Grill and Bar will let under 21 guys stay until 6:00 PM, but after that it’s only 21+. The 21+ clubs include, The Round Up (country-western), Throckmorten Mining Company, The Brick, Sue Ellen’s (lesbian) and Moby Dick.
Another hangout is Denny’s at Motor Street and I-35E – Affectionately known as the gay Denny’s (open 24/7). This is where a lot of the post-clubbing crowd goes (i.e. late night). It sometimes gets a little rowdy – not in a bad way, just in a gay sense with all the drama of a roomful of young gay guys. Interesting to try maybe once or twice, but it does get old.
Dance Clubs
There are over a dozen gay dance clubs in Dallas. Most of them are located off of Cedar Springs between Oak Lawn and Douglas. The gay strip is centered around Cedar springs and Throckmorton.
Unfortunately, most of the clubs there are 21+.
Village Station is located at 3911 Cedar Springs Rd. is 18+ on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights (they check your i.d., but I have friends that are 16-17 that get in with fake i.d.’s – and no, don’t ask me to get you a fake i.d.). I’d highly recommend going there on a Thursday night sometime. That’s when there are the most young gay guys. Wednesday is "straight" night there – which means that there’s more girls, but still predominantly gay. Sunday night is usually dead, so if you go, go on a Thursday night.
Club One is a predominantly gay club. It’s 18+ every night, including Friday and Saturday. Friday is official "gay" night as its theme is "Music for Boys", but there’s always a large gay presence. One warning about Club One - There's a lot of drugs there - so be careful and don't do anything stupid. Regardless, the music is very good, and the main dance floor has tiered platforms to dance on. It’s located in Deep Ellum at 3025 Main St.
Dallas Gay Internet Resources
Gay Dallas Teens - Yahoo Club PFLAG Dallas - Dallas Chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays GLSEN Dallas - Dallas Chapter of Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network DGLA - Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance Woofbyte.com - Gay Dallas Info Walt Whitman School - Dallas private school with mission for gay and lesbian students
