Chris Bengston, recently named Dallas Pride Interim Executive Director
The Dallas Pride Board of Directors announced this morning (Monday, June 5) that Caven Enterprises employee Chris Bengston will step in as Dallas Pride’s Interim Executive Director, effective immediately.
“With over 30 years of event management experience, Bengston is well-known and respected by the LGTBQ+ community,” noted a press release announcing her appointment.
Bengston succeeds Jaron Turnbow, who has served as CEO since mid-2018 when former CEO Michael Doughman announced his retirement. Turnbow led the Dallas Pride during their move from Cedar Springs in September to Fair Park in June 2019.
“We appreciate Jaron’s many contributions to Dallas Pride and the LGBTQ+ community,” said Dallas Pride President Frank Holland, “and wish him the best in his new endeavors.”
Bengston began working at Caven Enterprises in 1985 and through his work has been an integral partner in helping to plan and produce many local events, including JR.’s, Station 4, TMC and Sue Ellen’s. A fan of the art of drag, Bengston has also served as an on-site event coordinator for local and national drag pageants including Miss Gay USofA, Miss Texas Gay Texas America and several independent systems.
Bengston’s work with charitable and social initiatives including MetroBall, GDMAF, Prism Health, LifeWalk, Bear Dance, Purple Foundation and many others has earned him the Dru Howlett Award from OLCS, the Open Heart Award from CURE and recognition as 5 Factor. Awarded by the Dallas Resource Center.
“Chris’ connections and ability to build bridges within the community and with outside organizations will help further LGBTQ+ support and propel Dallas Pride on its path to being a world-class Pride,” said Truett C. Calvert , secretary of the Dallas Pride Board. Principals and volunteer principals. “We are pleased to welcome her to an official role with Dallas Pride.”
Dallas Pride is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and while the two events that have long been considered Dallas Pride’s flagship events: the Fair Park Music Festival and the Freedom Parade in ‘Alan Ross Texas, both of which took place last weekend, Pride festivities continue throughout the month. of June
On Friday, June 23, AT&T and Dallas Pride are teaming up to present Turn Up the Love, a new music event, now in its second year, taking place in the AT&T Discovery District in Dallas. Entertainment will include musical performances by Years & Years, Wrabel, Kalechi and more, and the evening will be hosted by Carmen Carrera. The event supports The Trevor Project and is free to attend. It will also include an outdoor market from 5 p.m
This community initiative carries out AT&T’s Turn Up the Love Tour mission to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and harness the power of musicians and artists to raise awareness of the importance of love and acceptance.
The party continues on Saturday, June 24 with the Dallas Pride Street Party, the newest addition to Pride Month, taking place from 5 to 10 p.m. Sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Miller Lite, this event will take place on Cedar Springs Road in Dallas, in the heart of the Gayborhood.
The street party features performances by Nashville country artist Brody Ray, DJ DeLuna, and performances by other musical artists and entertainers. Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring the Dallas Pride Street Party on June 24 can find sponsorship information at Eventeny.com/Events/TheDallasPrideStreetParty-4565/.
Dallas Pride is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening, supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community by creating events and initiatives that foster connections between community members, their allies and his supporters.
Follow @DallasPride on Facebook, @DallasPrideOfficial on Instagram, @DallasPrideOrg on Twitter or through the organization’s website, www.DallasPride.org, for all things tea.
