Dallas' Oak Lawn 'gayborhood' becomes first in Texas to get state historical marker

[TexasTowelie]

I like to think I know a little bit about a lot of this city. But I recently discovered something of which I knew nothing: Club Reno — or the Reno Lounge, as it was referred to in 1952's U.S.A. Confidential, a tabloid-scented paperback that sneered at Dallas' "queers" and "queens," "fairies" and "middle-class deviates."

I first learned of the former Club Reno — "the first gay bar in all of Texas," according to Karen Wisely's University of North Texas master of arts thesis — from the bronzed narrative that will appear on a historical marker set to be planted 7 p.m. Wednesday in front of another iconic gay bar: JR's Bar & Grill on Cedar Springs Road in Oak Lawn. The unveiling, years in the making, is, well, a landmark moment. It will make Dallas the first city in the state with an official Texas Historical Commission subject marker acknowledging a longstanding gay and lesbian community.

"Dallas gets criticized — fairly, perhaps — for not appreciating or recognizing its history. All of it," said Mark Doty, Dallas City Hall's chief historic preservation officer. "But this is an example where Dallas is actually on the forefront of something, for once."

Some 400 state-sanctioned historical markers scattered across the area, according to Dallas County. Most have been planted in front of old buildings where Something Important Happened a few forevers ago or in cemeteries where Someone Sort of Important During the Way, Way Back was buried. At least 10 of those markers contain the words "log cabin." For a relatively new city, Dallas has a lot of ancient history commemorated in bronze.

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2018/10/09/dallas-oak-lawn-gayborhood-becomes-first-texas-get-state-historical-marker

I shudder that the historical marker will vaporize when the words "gay" and "lesbian" are embossed upon it.

[Raster]

1. I lived in the Gayborhood for 15 years...

...and LOVED it!