Out in Oak Lawn: A Queer History of Dallas

About Out in Oak Lawn: A Queer History of Dallas

Out in Oak Lawn: A Queer History of Dallas is a student-produced podcast series focusing on the history of the Oak Lawn neighborhood in Dallas, Texas. Using archival sources and interviews with past and present queer icons, we are telling the stories of how Oak Lawn became a queer hotspot. Season 1, released in 2023, explores the early history of Oak Lawn, queer cowboy culture, businesses and nightlife, the lesbian experience, political activism, and the what the neighborhood is like today. Season 2, released in 2025, explores AIDS activism, trans history, public art, drag culture, the Cathedral of Hope, and the Dallas Voice. Our hope is that this series ensures that Oak Lawn’s history will not be lost due to the passage of time.

Publisher

outinoaklawn

Category

education · history

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Dec 2023

Latest episode

8 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Dec 2025

   S2E6 Making Headlines

   In this episode, we explore how The Dallas Voice evolved from just a newspaper into the central thread weaving together a growing queer community in Oak Lawn. Through its reporting and community coverage, the Voice helped residents find one another, organize, and define a shared identity. This is the story of how a neighborhood found its voice in print. Select Sources for this Episode: Dallas Voice in UNT Digital Library. University of North Texas Libraries. https://digital.library.unt.edu/explore/collections/DALVO/ Savoie, Caroline. “40 Years of Impact.” Dallas Voice, 25 Nov. 2025, dallasvoice.com/40-years-of-impact/ Texas Obituary Project https://texasobituaryproject.org/ Dallas Voice Celebrates 40 Years Video https://dallasvoice.com/video-dallas-voice-celebrates-40-years/ Dallas Voice: Our Place in History https://dallasvoice.com/our-place-in-history/

2. 

   8 Dec 2025

   S2E5 Hope on the Horizon

   The Cathedral of Hope, located in the heart of Dallas, is the largest LGBTQ+ church in the United States. From its beginning to modern day, the Cathedral of Hope has been and continues to be a valuable resource for the community. This episode takes the listener back to the beginnings of Oak Lawn, the history of the cathedral, and the impacts the church has left on the neighborhood along the way. Select Sources for this Episode: Cathedral of Hope Website https://www.cathedralofhope.com/ Mike Piazza speaking on the impact the Cathedral of Hope had on the community in the 1990s.  (Video) https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2420370/m1/?q=cathedral%20of%20hope Oral History interview with Sue Schrader (Audio) https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1639759/m1/?q=%22Cathedral%20of%20Hope%22

3. 

   8 Dec 2025

   S2E4 Dragging Up Dallas

   As the art form of drag is undergoing scrutiny from politicians and the media, we dive into the history of both drag in the United States and the local drag scenes in Dallas and Denton. We get insight into how drag became what it is today, how Dallas' own Rose Room achieved its iconic status, and what the work of past Queens and Kings has enabled the newer generations to achieve. Select Sources for this Episode: https://dallasvoice.com/the-legacy-continues/ https://nmaahc.si.edu/gladys-bentley https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/dallas/rose-room-dallas-drag-venue-how-to-support https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/king-drag-queens-fascinating-julian-eltinge

4. 

   8 Dec 2025

   S2E3 Let's Get Creative

   Let’s Get Creative explores a few of the different kinds of art within Dallas’s gayborhood. Throughout the episode, we talk about some of the ways the LGBTQ community has used creative expression to instill a sense of belonging and showcase queer joy in Oak Lawn. Select Sources for this Episode: AIDS QUILTS: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1584434/m1/6/?q=aids%20quilts%20dallas https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt-history QUEER CHIORS: https://www.chorusamerica.org/advocacy-research/gay-and-lesbian-choruses-then-and-now QUEER HISTORY OF DALLAS; MIMS https://utd-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/5627361a-b772-4a0d-9fc3-669a7e6b86f2/content DUANE PURYEAR: https://www.thedallasway.org/stories/written/2021/9/19/duane-puryears-and-the-quilt-panel

5. 

   8 Dec 2025

   S2E2 Pink, White, and Blue

   In this episode, we explore the historic first appearance of transgender icon Christine Jorgensen in the media and the lasting impact she had on the Dallas community. We highlight organizations providing vital healthcare and resources for transgender individuals, including The Resource Center, and examine the current statistics on hate crimes against transgender people in Texas. Finally, we amplify the voices of local transgender activists who are tirelessly fighting for change and visibility within the LGBTQ community. Select Sources for this Episode: https://transgriot.com/tributes-2/ https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/tgi-bios/christine-jorgensen https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1939944/m1/?q=transgender https://www.texasobserver.org/anti-lgbtq-incidents-texas/

6. 

   8 Dec 2025

   S2E1 Keep Fighting, Keep Dancing

   This episode covers the history of activism in Oak Lawn during the AIDS Crisis, spanning from the early 80s to the late 90s, and how the efforts and organizations created during this dark period of time for the community are still impacting the neighborhood and greater Dallas today. Select Sources for this Episode: AIDS Arms Network Documents, The Portal to Texas History Black Tie Dinner - 1998 Main Event Second Half  Video, The Portal to Texas History It's For Everyone Video, UNT Libraries Special Collections Mike Anglin, “Terry Tebedo,” January 4, 2018, The Dallas Way Mike Anglin, “William H. “Bill” Nelson,” May 10. 2015, The Dallas Way Rafael McDonnell, “Resource Center Dallas,” May 10, 2015, The Dallas Way William Waybourn, “Crossroads Market,” November 24, 2017, The Dallas Way William Waybourn, “How Dallas Got Into AIDS Research,” April 21, 2020, The Dallas Way

7. 

   11 Dec 2023

   2. Out in the West

   Out in the West asks us to ponder, what is the significance of Oak Lawn’s location within Texas? By taking the listener inside the Round-Up Bar and Saloon, and to patrons who frequent Vaquero bars, the listener will become more knowledgeable about the relations and similarities between queer and western culture.

8. 

   11 Dec 2023

   5. Acting Out

   Acting Out shows the history of Texan activism in the Oak Lawn Neighborhood. This episode discusses the history of HIV/AIDS in Dallas, the “Gay Robin Hood,” and prominent activists in the queer community.

9. 

   11 Dec 2023

   1. The Formation of a Queer Community

   Oak Lawn: The Formation of a Queer Community, discusses the early history of the Gayborhood. With the running theme of community, the listener will hear what Oak Lawn was like pre-community with regular police raids and attacks on queer individuals. The listener will then hear about the creation of the community. By highlighting the the first gay support group, the Circle of Friends and the queer church the Cathedral of Hope, the listener will be transported through staples in the history of Oak Lawn.

10. 

    11 Dec 2023

    3. Proudly Open for Business

    Proudly Open for Business takes the listener on a journey through the businesses of the Oak Lawn neighborhood. It will inform the listener of  past and present queer businesses within the neighborhood, including the Station 4 nightclub, the Curious Times bookstore, and the Crossroads Market general store.

11. 

    11 Dec 2023

    6. Oak Lawn Today

    Oak Lawn Today discusses the current state of Dallas's gayborhood, as well as current issues within it. We discuss gentrification, Drag Bans, and restrictive laws that affect the LGBTQ+ community. We also explore the potential birth of a new gayborhood in North Oak Cliff.

12. 

    11 Dec 2023

    4. Girls’ Night Out

    Girl’s Night Out discusses the disappearances of lesbian bars throughout the country and explains why Sue Ellen’s, the lesbian bar in Oak Lawn, has remained open and thriving. In this episode, the listener will understand the inclusivity of lesbian spaces and learn the histories of male privilege and lesbian history.

13. 

    3 Dec 2023

    Introducing Out in Oak Lawn: A Queer History of Dallas

    Introducing Out in Oak Lawn: A Queer History of Dallas, a podcast about one of the largest gayborhoods in the US.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Contact Out in Oak Lawn: A Queer History of Dallas

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.