Oak Lawn Band News
The Sound of Pride
Statement by Oak Lawn Band
On Thursday, June 5, 2025, Oak Lawn Band did what it has done for over four decades—used music as a force for unity, defiance, and visibility.
Scheduled to perform at the Cedar Springs Wine Walk, a beloved community event that draws hundreds to the heart of Dallas’s LGBTQIA+ district, OLB arrived ready to celebrate. Instead, members were met by anti-LGBTQIA+ protestors armed with amplified hate speech and religious propaganda.
In response, OLB turned up the volume with courage and resilience.
Percussionists led the way, countering the hostile rhetoric with bold, resonant rhythms. As more musicians arrived, the full pep band assembled and performed powerful anthems like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “Born This Way”—rallying the crowd and transforming the moment into one of joyful resistance. Music became armor. Community became chorus. Hate was drowned out by Pride.
Oak Lawn Band’s legacy is rooted in moments like this. From marching in Dallas’s first Pride parade to creating a safe and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ musicians today, OLB has always stood on the frontlines of celebration and resilience.
But this work is only possible with your support.
As a nonprofit organization, OLB relies on generous donors to sustain its mission: providing a safe and welcoming space for queer musicians to perform in and find social belonging, while advancing queer representation in Texas.
Your gift ensures that the Oak Lawn Band’s music of pride never stops—that our presence remains visible and heard. And that when hate shows up, Oak Lawn Band will always be there—louder, prouder, and stronger.
Please consider supporting the Oak Lawn Band today at www.oaklawnband.org/support.
Additionally, OLB welcomes you to support the band by purchasing a Dallas Summer of Pride t-shirt where proceeds directly support band initiatives. You can buy your shirt today at https://www.customink.com/fundraising/olbsummer.
When our community is under attack, the Oak Lawn Band doesn’t back down—we turn up the volume.
In Solidarity,
Ryan Goodrich
President, Oak Lawn Band
About Oak Lawn Band
Founded in 1980, the Oak Lawn Band is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit LGBTQ+ and ally community band dedicated to visibility, inclusion, and musical excellence. Based in Dallas, Texas, the band performs year-round through concerts, parades, and civic events across the DFW Metroplex and beyond. The Oak Lawn Band provides a safe, affirming space for musicians of all backgrounds and skill levels to connect through performance, advocacy, and artistry. For more information, visitwww.oaklawnband.org.