8 January 30 - February 5, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents A Trans Guide to Big D A bitter chill from Austin and D.C. is coming toward trans people, but Dallas has many places offering warmth and welcome. BY LISA LAMAN I f you Google “Dallas trans,” some of the first results you’ll find come from horrifically bigoted websites designed to fearmonger about the “dangers” of children’s literature focusing on gen- der fluidity. You might also see news pieces about Texas politicians such as Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton or Gov. Greg Abbott spew- ing transphobic rhetoric. More urgently, on his first day of office, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the government to define sex as only “male” or “female.” This will halt gen- der-affirming care for prisoners. As The As- sociated Press reported, “experts including the American Medical Association and American Psychiatric Association hold that gender is a spectrum, not a binary structure consisting only of males and females.” Violence toward transgender and non-bi- nary people continues; at least 32 were killed in 2024. According to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violence in the form of assault and rape. The study also states that violence toward trans- gender and non-binary people has doubled in the past four years. There are fantastic online resources out there for Dallas trans folks, but they sit side by side with lots of filth reaffirming in- grained transphobia. Imagine being a deeply closeted trans person in Dallas today trying to find infor- mation or resources to explore who you are, but instead you’re assaulted by a wave of transphobic jokes and news pieces. Those brutal parts of reality shouldn’t be ignored. But they aren’t the only ways trans existence manifests in Dallas. In Dallas, there are several places (clubs, restaurants, thrift stores and other establishments) that welcome trans individuals. Just knowing that these places exist can be a balm for the souls of trans folks in Dallas. The obvious place for those looking for trans solace in Dallas is Oak Lawn, best known as the “gayborhood.” This is where you’ll find lesbian bar Sue Ellen’s or gay bars Station 4 or The Hidden Door. Sue Ellen’s, especially, is famed for its support for queer identities of all kinds. On any given night, you’re bound to find trans individuals of all gender identities dancing the night away to the music of Chappell Roan and other art- ists. Restaurants either around the corner or just across the street from these clubs (such as Hunky’s) are similarly welcoming. One word of warning, though, to trans at- tendees: ironically, heterosexual visitors or folks “othering” you can be especially dis- cernible in these queer-friendly spaces. “Othering,” or intrusions from straight, cis- gender people toward those who are trans might be expected when strolling into, say, a Whataburger. But as a trans woman, I have experienced some moments of weird “oth- ering” from cis folks in these environments. The noisiness of these places also may not be ideal for neurodivergent trans people; your sensitivity to loud noises won’t vanish just because you’re surrounded by lesbians. “Unfortunately, despite the fact that I love the distinctly lesbian atmosphere that you can’t get anywhere else in Dallas, Sue Ellen’s can be very overstimulating for neu- rodivergent people like me, sometimes to the point of unbearability,” says one trans Dallasite who asked to remain anonymous. This is not to diminish Sue Ellen’s, spaces in Oak Lawn or the gloriously welcoming culture they have fostered. It’s just a re- minder that bigotry can seep into any loca- tion. When considering whether the gayborhood or any other place on this list can be a go-to safe space for yourself, con- sider your unique personality traits and vul- nerabilities. Those caveats aside, the gayborhood is rich with history and can be an extraordi- nary social experience for those who have been in the closet too long. If loud music and dancing are your passion, these gayborhood fixtures are a must-visit for trans people, es- pecially for their communal solidarity. There are other places where trans Dallas residents thrive. If you’re prepared to spend some moolah, the Commons Club has excit- ing drag brunches the first and third Sunday of every month. Each show is calendar- themed, such as a winter show in January. In the Bishop Arts District, LadyLove Lounge & Sound has become a hub for trans socialization. In fact, the Bishop Arts area as a whole is jam-packed with exciting, trans- safe places. Among those locations is The Wild De- tectives, a bookstore whose everyday ambi- ance is inviting to the trans community. The outfit’s business owners are deeply commit- ted to fostering an inclusive atmosphere ev- eryone can enjoy. “Every city needs spaces reflecting soci- ety’s true identity. Censorship and prejudice harm individuals and hold back progress,” says Wild Detectives founder Javier García del Moral. “We should remind ourselves that small-minded people can inflict great pain, but they always lose in the long run.” Trans-safe locations in Dallas also in- clude unexpected hole-in-the-wall spots such as Italian eatery Two Guys from Italy. From the outside, this cozy Italian joint might not seem like the ideal place for trans folks looking to grab a bite to eat. But the staff, cozy ambiance and welcoming clien- tele make it a haven for trans diners looking to score Italian food in Dallas. “I felt welcome as soon as [I] stepped in- side. Both the food and the service were top- notch,” Mickey Dolphin says about the establishment. For Joseph Marquez, who runs Two Guys from Italy with his brother, Lee, the restau- rant is inviting to the trans community as an inevitable byproduct of both the restaurant’s ethos and his parents’ teachings. “Our staff makes great food — everyone should be able to come in here, have a good night, have a good rest of the night, starting things with good food,” Marquez says. “My mom and dad taught us to treat everybody with respect, if they want to have a good plate of food, they should be able to come in and do that.” Adhering to basic tenets of kindness and acceptance has allowed Two Guys from Italy to expose Dallas citizens of all stripes to its cuisine. Marquez notes that Two Guys from Italy hasn’t had explicit connections to Dallas’ LG- BTQIA+ community. Learning that it’s inclu- sive to trans folks might be a surprise to some. Other Dallas eateries, though, have long been open about supporting trans individuals. In 2016, Muriel Street, owner of Liberty Burger, put her foot down against the pro- posed “bathroom bill” legislation that would’ve discriminated against trans patrons. “The idea of the government getting in- volved in bathroom policy is mind-boggling,” Street told the Observer at the time. “It hasn’t been an issue, and now they seem to be mak- ing it one. ... We have never had an issue, and in my experience, transgender individuals just want to pee in peace. If someone were to ever be harassed, we would deal with the sit- uation on a case-by-case basis. We stand against harassment of any kind and promote decency and respect for all.” Street uttered these words a few days be- fore Donald Trump was elected president the first time. In little over eight years, ▼ Culture Kathy Tran Two Guys from Italy is an unexpected trans- friendly Italian eatery. Catherine Vo and Mulan Nguyen enjoy the pizza and pasta. >> p10
