Join us for the Barney Frank Memorial Pride Crawl!

The Barney Frank Memorial Pride Crawl is a Pride Month community event designed to bring Democrats, LGBTQ+ community members, allies/advocates, elected officials, candidates and supporters together for fellowship, education and civic engagement.

Inspired by the concept of a pub crawl, the Pride Crawl features three distinct stops, each serving a different purpose:

• Community Building through a shared meal

• Political Education and LGBTQ+ History

• Candidate Engagement and Social Networking

Participants will travel together throughout the afternoon, creating opportunities to connect with fellow Democrats while celebrating Pride Month and honoring the legacy of Barney Frank, the nation's first openly gay member of Congress.

A $25 participation donation is requested.

Proceeds benefit the Tarrant County Democratic Party's efforts to elect Democrats and support voter engagement across Tarrant County. Your donation does not cover any of the food or drinks during the crawl but DOES help get great Democrats elected!

 EVENT TIMELINE

11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.

STOP #1: COMMUNITY LUNCH/BRUNCH

The Bearded Lady

Fort Worth, Texas

Lunch/brunch gathering at The Bearded Lady, where attendees can meet fellow participants and kick off the afternoon.

TCDP Specials Available:

• $5 Blue Wave Mimosas

• $10 "BlueWater Off a Duck's Back" Blue THC Beverage

Highlights:

• Check-in

• Meet fellow participants

• Pride Month celebration

• Candidate and activist networking

Format:

Pay Your Own Way Brunch/Lunch

1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

STOP #2: PRIDE, PROGRESS & a POLITICIAN

Amphibian Stage

Fort Worth, Texas

Format:

Live Interview and Community Conversation

Participants will gather for a featured conversation with former Fort Worth City Councilmember Joel Burns.

Joel Burns made national headlines in 2010 after delivering an emotional speech before the Fort Worth City Council addressing the bullying and suicide crisis affecting LGBTQ+ youth. The speech became a viral sensation and inspired countless young people across the country. Following its national impact, Burns appeared on major media outlets, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and became a prominent voice in the national "It Gets Better" movement.

Interview Topics:

• Growing up in a small North Texas town

• Entering public service

• Becoming Fort Worth's first openly gay elected official

• The story behind his viral anti-bullying speech

• The impact of the It Gets Better movement

• His personal connection to Congressman Barney Frank

• Lessons for LGBTQ+ leaders today

• The future of equality and civic engagement in Texas

Joel will be interviewed by TCDP Executive Director, Reyne Telles who has worked as a political reporter for a CBS affiliate, and as an executive producer for an NBC affiliate. 

Audience Q&A to follow.

2:30 p.m.

STOP #3: SATURDAY FUNDAY HAPPY HOUR

Grandma's Bar

Magnolia Avenue

Fort Worth, Texas

Format:

Pay Your Own Way Happy Hour

The final stop on the Pride Crawl is a relaxed Saturday afternoon happy hour focused on socializing, candidate engagement and community building.

The event will be emceed by a local drag performer who will help keep the energy high and introduce our featured guests: Democratic Candidates on the November ballot. 

Program Elements:

• Mix and mingle networking

• Candidate introductions by drag host

• Brief remarks from candidates appearing on the November ballot

• Pride Month selfie/pic backdrop

• Democratic Party fellowship

Format:

Pay Your Own Way Happy Hour