10 January 30 - February 5, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents transphobic rhetoric has become even more sweeping and common in political discourse. Street’s early support for the trans commu- nity makes Liberty Burger an easy choice for Dallas trans folks seeking out some tasty beef. Other inviting — and delicious — Dallas staples are Enchilada’s on Greenville Ave- nue and ice cream joint Pure Milk and Honey on East Mockingbird Lane. Two Texas landmarks, Half-Price Books on East Northwest Highway and The Texas The- atre, are also incredibly welcoming locations for trans folks. The latter space hosts monthly screening programs such as CineWilde, geared toward queer folks, as well as trans-ori- ented events such as special screenings of The People’s Joker. Like The Wild Detectives, the gargantuan Half-Price Books is a literary-ori- ented spot that provides a calming contrast to the city’s hustle and bustle. Whether offering an inclusive space for pizza or bristling against a proposed bath- room bill, these business owners emphasize a culture of “respect” and “kindness” among their staff. People just want to feel included and ac- cepted. Businesses like bookstores, restau- rants and art spaces can help convey those feelings. Ideally, these locations help pro- vide bonding spots for people from all walks of life in a community. Communicating that sense of unity is espe- cially important when it comes to trans Dallas- ites forced to deal with constant challenges to their very existence, such as health insurance obstacles and normalized hate speech — even, and especially, among public servants. Walking into a record store or shopping for clothes at a thrift store shouldn’t add to the chaos of living. These locations offer some hope and respite for the Dallas trans community, like a lush oasis in a searing transphobic desert. Trans people can in- habit all kinds of spaces, and the wildly vary- ing businesses in Dallas vividly reflect this truth, whether Google knows it or not. Inclusive spaces N ot every corner of Dallas is entirely inviting to trans people. Even the lo- cations listed below aren’t guaran- teed to be inviting every day. However, these are the more famously welcoming and in- clusive spaces in the area that can make do- ing ordinary everyday tasks in Dallas just a little easier for trans souls. LadyLove Lounge & Sound 310 W. Seventh St. If you’re looking for an inclusive nightclub spot beyond Oak Lawn, check out LadyLove Lounge and Sound, a recently added club in Bishop Arts. The club, which regularly hosts nights with sounds curated by DJ Sober, has become famous for its inclusivity, delicious food and excellent music. Plus, for trans readers interested in women, LadyLove Lounge has developed a fabulous reputation for being an optimal place to meet other LG- BTQIA+ ladies in Dallas. Chimlanh Coffee Shop 1902 Botham Jean Blvd. Opened in early 2019, Chimlanh Coffee Shop is one of Dallas’ first Vietnamese coffee shops. That was already enough of a tre- mendous achievement, but Chimlanh has also just become a go-to place for trans peo- ple of all gender identities to chill. Many non-Starbucks coffee shops in Dallas offer relaxing spots for LGBTQIA+ individuals to socialize, but Chimlanh has garnered an es- pecially solid reputation in this department thanks to its inviting atmosphere and kind work staff. That’s what trans folks want — not a red carpet rolled out, but simply a place to sip beverages and chat with friends. Liberty Burger 5211 Forest Lane In late 2016, Liberty Burger owner Muriel Street was one of several local Dallas busi- ness owners to sign a letter protesting pro- posed “bathroom bill” legislation in Texas that would target trans people. As noted at the time, the scarcity of food-based business owners standing up against the bill made her signing the letter all the more impres- sive. Being an early proponent for trans rights, not to mention delivering consis- tently delicious food, makes Liberty Burger an easy pick for trans folks looking to grab some tasty Texas beef. Commons Club 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd. If you’re savoring a taste of the ritzy Dallas life, head over to the Commons Club, on the first floor of the Virgin Hotel on Turtle Creek Boulevard. The Commons Club is a welcoming spot full of acclaimed food and glitzy décor to dazzle the eyes. If you and your trans pals want to experience the Com- mons Club when it’s infused with some real gay energy, check out the exciting drag brunches the first and third Sunday of every month. Each show is calendar-themed, such as a winter show in January. These aren’t cheap to attend, but that comes part and parcel with the Commons Club vibe. If you want to be surrounded by a high-end ambi- ance and lots of gay people, well, fellow Dal- las trans comrades, prepare to block out a Sunday night. Black Trans Advocacy Conference & Awards April 22–27, Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Dun- canville, 800 N. Main St., Duncanville The Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, an or- ganization based in Carrollton, holds an an- nual conference, the Black Trans Advocacy Conference & Awards, typically in April. Year-round, this group provides plenty of great resources and does tremendous work for the larger trans community. The annual event is noteworthy for the many unique and essential voices it highlights in Dallas. On its website, the coalition describes the event as “a distinct 5-day educational and empowerment program event, home to nearly 500 plus trans and gender non-con- forming individuals … [focusing] on advanc- ing Black trans equality.” Systemically ingrained transphobia is all about making trans folks feel like aberrations in society. That makes grand congregations of trans lives like this annual conference all the more important, particularly given how much vio- lence occurs against Black trans individuals. This part of the trans community should be defined by more than statistics related to hate crimes, and this annual Dallas event provides an opportunity to do just that. The Wild Detectives 314 W. Eighth St. Bookstores like The Wild Detectives are often a reliable spot for some LGBTQIA+ security. What makes The Wild Detectives so extra spe- cial for trans folks is its monthly event Poetry on the Patio. Held on the second Wednesday of each month, this event hosts authors, often openly queer artists such as Caroline Earley- wine, reading deeply affecting poetry before the microphone gets turned over to the public. In the second half of Poetry on the Patio, audi- ence members, including trans voices, can vol- unteer to come up and read any sort of poetry, including pieces they’ve written themselves. This is a fantastic opportunity for socialization and for hearing, in a public setting, the endless ways trans perspectives manifest. And who doesn’t like being surrounded by books? All these wonderful elements are combined into a place whose very mission statement is to make The Wild Detectives a go-to spot for comfort. Nasher Sculpture Center 2001 Flora St. With its collection of sculptures, the Nasher Sculpture Center isn’t just a place to observe beautiful works of artistic expression. It’s also a safe place for trans folks to see art reflecting their community. As noted on the Nasher’s official website, there’s been a significant in- crease in the number of works from queer artists (among other marginalized groups) added to the Nasher in recent years. Among those are Nicole Eisenman’s Sketch for a Fountain collection, which presents sculpted beings devoid of concrete gender that anyone can see themselves in. Absorb the museum’s beautiful space while examining sculptures that also reaffirm trans realities. Two Guys From Italy 11637 Webb Chapel Road Once you walk through the front door of Two Guys From Italy, it’s immediately clear this place is special. Italian food staples like pizza, rolls, calzones and other dishes are served in an ambiance that strikes a nice balance be- tween cozy and claustrophobic. The decora- tions lining the walls and ceiling are similarly deft in juggling a welcoming sense of atmo- sphere without irritating your eyeballs with excess. On top of that, the dishes are carried out by servers all too happy to reaffirm peo- ple’s gender identity while the restaurant is devoid of gawking passersby that can make trans patrons feel uncomfortable. From top to bottom, Two Guys From Italy is a winner. Nu Transgender Movement Another helpful trans-based organization located in Dallas is Nu Transgender Move- ment, which, as stated on its website, “fo- cuses on name changes and gender corrections, explicitly serves the marginal- ized BIPOC transgender and nonbinary communities.” This organization also fre- quently hosts larger events in Dallas focused on the trans community, such as the Lost Faces: Trans Day of Remembrance Exhibi- tion & Vigil held in November. Founded by Dallas resident Shannon Walker, this is yet another place trans Dallasites can turn to for resources and solidarity. Pure Milk and Honey 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane Who doesn’t love ice cream? The soft serve shop Pure Milk and Honey is an especially yummy way of consuming this treat in Dal- las. If you want something a bit more unique in flavors and taste then what you’d get from Braum’s or Baskin-Robbins, Pure Milk and Honey is the way to go. Plus, this particular location is near several other trans-friendly locales in Mockingbird Square. Thrift City 1750 E. Belt Line Road, Suite 300, Richardson Trans ladies love two things: clothes that reaffirm their gender identity and not hav- ing to comb through the nightmare laby- rinth that is women’s clothes sizes. Oh, and not spending the GDP of a small country on clothes is also appreciated. There are many great thrift stores in DFW, but Thrift City in Richardson is the best for trans gals scouring out clothes. It’s the rare local thrift store to have a plus-size clothes sec- tion that’s incredibly easy to navigate, right down to the clothes being neatly organized by color. Best of all, you can get clothes that reinforce you without busting your bank account. A Trans Guide to Big D from p8 Kathy Tran Maddox Price has a drink at the bar at Wild Detectives.
