The City of Denton is hosting multiple LGBTQ events in June through the organization called PRIDENTON.
PRIDENTON is a non-profit organization dedicated to “uplifting” LGBTQ communities through “advocacy, education, and celebration.”
“PRIDENTON is more than an annual Pride event in Denton. It is the dream to have an LGBTQ+ community center for Denton. Along with raising funds via the annual PRIDENTON events, we will also be trying to write grants to raise funds for this dream. We hope to provide a space at our annual PRIDENTON events in June for all LGBTQ+ folks and Allies to celebrate the beautiful diversity within our communities. One way PRIDENTON lives this value is to center or highlight a population within our LGBTQ+ communities annually at our Pride events,” the PRIDENTON website states.
The organization’s events include “Night Out” on June 8 and “Big Gay Swim Day” on June 22. Both events will be held at the Denton Civic Center, a city-owned property.
“Join OUTreach Denton and PRIDENTON for a private pool party at the Civic Center Pool to celebrate Pride!!” the website describes the swimming event. OUTreach Denton is an organization that provides resources to LTGTQ youth.
“Spectrum is our LGBTQ+ teen group that is open to youth ages 13-18. Meetings are on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. If you or your teen is interested, apply online to receive additional details from the Spectrum coordinator,” OUTreach Denton’s website states.
The event will have a “Kids water play area.”
The Night Out event will bring together local businesses and organizations that support PRIDENTON and the LGBTQ community.
“Local businesses and organizations show their support and PRIDE for the LGBTQIA2S+ community by participating in a ‘reverse Pride parade’ where businesses are the ‘floats’ and participants visit their booths,” reads the website for the event.
Another event, “Pride Path,” took place on Saturday. Families were encouraged to attend.
“Join Texas Equal Access Fund and PRIDENTON for our annual community chalking event where the whole family can celebrate Pride! We’ll start at 8 a.m. and chalk on the sidewalk around the Denton Courthouse Square. Meet us on the Hickory St. side of the Square to grab the chalk and connect with us. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and water!” the website states.
The events have garnered public backlash from some Texas organizations.
“Denton has sadly become a haven for degeneracy in North Texas. It is reprehensible that the city would allow celebrations of sodomy and worse to take place on city property,” Texas Family Project president Brady Gray told Texas Scorecard.
Still, PRIDENTON Kamyon Conner previously said that events such as Night Out serve to support the LGBTQ community.
“We want you to actually be able to talk to and experience our community partners as more than floats just passing by in a traditional parade and let them truly show their support for our queer and trans family,” Conner told North Texas Daily last year.
The Dallas Express reached out to PRIDENTON and the City of Denton for comment but did not receive a response by press time.
