Unleashed LGBTQ+ 2024

Unleashed LGBTQ+ Conference/Festival is set to take place October 4-6 2024 in Dallas, Texas in the heart of the gayborhood, Oaklawn. The decision to change the event’s location to “The Strip” (Area in Oaklawn on Cedar Springs Rd known for gay bars/nightclubs, restaurants and shops) was a natural choice, as described by Gabe Gentry, Director of Operations, “We originally wanted to host our events on the Strip last year, but with time constraints and conflicts of schedule it did not work out. Our best option was Gilley’s– it served us well, but we’re glad to bring Unleashed 2024 to the Dallas LGBTQ+ neighborhood.” Unleashed LGBTQ+ Conference is to take place at the world-famous Round Up Saloon (3912 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219) with additional events taking place at surrounding bars, shops, and other establishments.

The 3-day event will again host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ film, television, music, business, and tech. Last year’s events included thought leaders, industry experts, and celebrity talent participating in a variety of topics including marketing, finance, non-profit, media, DEI, entertainment, and more. Businesses and organizations included Meta, Adobe, HRC, Black Tie Dinner, Dallas Voice, OUT Magazine, The Advocate, and iHeart Media. Celebrity talent included Billy Eichner (Bros/Universal Pictures), Indya Moore (Pose/FX), Antoni Porowski (Queer Eye/Netflix), Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls/Paramount) and Nico Tortorella (City on Fire/Apple TV).

This year’s Unleashed aims to put more focus on local Dallas and Texas LGBTQ+ trailblazers. “With so many amazing queer pioneers in our own area, it makes sense to produce this year’s events around those who make us even prouder to be in LGBTQ+ in Texas.” says Wesley Smoot, Founder and Chief Programming Officer. “We are still bringing in panelists and performers from outside the Lone Star State like Jaymes Black (CEO/The Trevor Project) and Daniel Webb, (Comedian/Comedy Central) but while they’re both based in Los Angeles, they have Texas Roots.”

Other local panelists and speakers participating in Unleashed 2024 include Dr. Neil Thomas (Senior Pastor/Cathedral of Hope), Brooke Henderson & Shannon Mitchell-Percell (Legacy Cares), Melodia Gutiérrez (HRC), Shelly Skeen (Lambda Legal), Dr. Steven Pounders (Adult Primary Care Physician). Steven Romo (NBC) Leo Cusimano (Dallas Voice), Michael Hendrix (Leslie Magazine), and Melissa Grove, (Former Director at Legacy Counseling) who will receive The Unleashed LGBTQ+ Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jim Fielding (Former Executive at Disney) will discuss being openly gay in a leadership role before it was more accepting in corporate America, and Gay Pop Icon, Ashlee Keating (Nickelodeon) will participate ina live interview followed by an electric performance.

Additional speakers, panelists, and performers will be announced leading up to the event date. Attendees can also expect book signings, photo-ops, and several celebrity surprise appearances.

Tickets are now on sale at www.unleashedlgbtq.com