Category: DALLAS

New Dallas office tenant at 4014 Cedar Springs paints over AIDS mural

Read more at the Dallas Voice.

Social media posts made Tuesday evening show the south side of the building at 4014 Cedar Springs Road, the former home of Resource Center’s Nelson-Tebedo Health Center, painted a dark, dull gray. The blank slate wall came as a shock to many of the area’s residents, visitors and business who were used to seeing a vibrant, multi-color mural honoring the LGBTQ+ community and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

As Lee Daugherty noted in a post to the Friends of Oak Lawn page on Facebook, “Today a new tenant on Cedar Springs at the old Nelson-Tebedo [clinic] took it on themselves to paint over a 2018 mural of the AIDS quilt, a solemn remembrance and a dedication that we take care of each other. I’m unaware which clinic is moving in at this time, but it’s brave to move into a community and immediately erase it.”

The mural, known as Dallas Red Foundation’s HIV/AIDS Commemorative Mural, was conceived as a joint project between Dallas Red Foundation’s REDucate Committee and the community art group Arttitude, designed by Arttitude muralist Lee Madrid “after talking with community leaders and employees of Resource Center’s Nelson-Tebedo Clinic upon which the mural is painted. The mural offers a message of hope and community while acknowledging the HIV/AIDS crisis and the continued need for HIV/AIDS to be at the forefront of public attention,” John Anderson, secretary of Dallas Red Foundation and a member the REDucation Committee, explained in a January 2019 Voices column in Dallas Voice.

Anderson told Dallas Voice Tuesday night that the new tenant in the building is the AIDS Healthcare Foundation clinic. He wrote in a post on his own Facebook page, “A LOT of work was put into this by a few different local organizations. Community art is not something you can just erase. Someone has some explaining to do.”

In his 2019 column for Dallas Voice, Anderson explained that the mural was designed, with input from community leaders and employees of Resource Center’s Nelson-Tebedo Clinic, to “offer a message of hope and community while acknowledging the HIV/AIDS crisis and the continued need for HIV/AIDS to be at the forefront of public attention.”

He said that the mural featured “four diverse hands coming together to create red heart shapes” intended as the perfect backdrop for selfies. In addition, “References to the decline in deaths over time and the ever-increasing number of individuals living with HIV [were] incorporated between multicolored, geometric shapes” painted in colors “reminiscent of the quintessential rainbow motif common in LGBTQ art and culture. A large portion of the mural depict[ed] silhouettes looking over sections of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, created as a memorial celebrating the lives of people who have died of AIDS-related causes.”

Dallas Voice Senior Staff Writer David Taffet has written several articles chronicling the conception of the mural and its progress along the way. Read some of them here, here and here.

Dallas Voice will be contacting AHF to ask why the mural was painted over and who made the decision to do so. When we hear from them, we will update this post.

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Dallas March for Queer & Trans Liberation

*Check out the photos on the Dallas Voice

Several hundred people crowded into the parking lot between Cathedral of Hope and Resource Center on Sunday afternoon for a short rally before pouring out onto Cedar Springs Road and marching to The Crossroads.

The March for Queer & Trans Liberation, organized by a coalition of more than 20 local organizations with GLAAD’s Texas representative and communications director for Texas Latino Pride Jacob Reyes, was held in response to the ongoing wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation and policies coming out of Washington, D.C., and state Capitols around the country, including Austin where Texas lawmakers this session have introduced a record number — 205 — of anti-LGBTQ bills, especially focusing on anti-trans efforts.

In explaining the reasons last week for the march, Cece Cox, CEO for Resource Center which was one of the organizations behind the march said, “The Queer & Trans Liberation March sends a message to all in Dallas and across Texas that when we stand up and show up for our communities, we move closer to reclaiming justice.’

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North Texas’s First LGBTQIA+ Affordable Senior Housing Development Completed

*This was first published for The Architect’s Newspaper

The U.S. has always been a difficult country to “age in place”—seniors who can’t find lodging with a loved one are often relegated to nursing homes, if they can afford the fees. The situation gets even more precarious for LGBTQIA+ seniors, who commonly see bias in the rental application process, and get turned down for apartments at high rates.

Things are especially dire in Texas, where state law doesn’t protect individuals from housing discrimination based on their sexual orientation, although LGBTQIA+ individuals are still protected under the federal Fair Housing Act. This exacerbates the problem and puts even more people at risk of poverty and social isolation.

Perkins&Will’s Dallas studio recently completed a new affordable housing project to help combat this public health crisis. Today, Oak Lawn Place in Dallas represents north Texas’s first affordable housing development of its kind, the architects shared. It offers 100 percent affordable housing for LGBTQIA+ seniors, 55 years of age and older.

Karen Chen of Sunshine Studios created a bespoke mural on every floor of the building. (James Steinkamp)

The Dallas neighborhood of Oak Lawn has been the beating heart of north Texas’s LGBTQIA+ community for decades. Oak Lawn Place was built with the developer Matthews Southwest, Volunteers of America, and Resource Center, one of the largest LGBTQIA+ community centers in the country and a key north Texas HIV/AIDS service organization.

“I’m seeing Oak Lawn Place transform people’s lives,” Resource Center CEO Cece Cox said in a press statement. “A project like this elevates everyone and makes Dallas a better place.”

In plan, Oak Lawn Place is shaped like a C. This was meant to increase natural light exposure within every unit; this feature also provides a protective wing that surrounds an outdoor deck, hidden from public view. The deck has great views of the site’s sloping topography and a nearby creek.

Mural by Karen Chen of Sunshine Studios (James Steinkamp)

Karen Chen of Sunshine Studios created a bespoke mural on every floor of the building, which helps with wayfinding. Oak Lawn Place was designed with maximum accessibility in mind—everything from the hallway seatings, elevator lobbies, to wheelchair-friendly doorways are meant to provide a positive user experience.

The design of Oak Lawn Place is economical and efficient, yet still manages to have splashes of color here and there; the facade has a rainbow flag to signify all are welcome. The 80,000-square-foot building has a total 84 units. It’s within walking distance of public transit options and Resource Center’s Community Center.

The building has a shared kitchen and other community-building amenities. (James Steinkamp)

“Oak Lawn Place helps make Dallas a more inclusive, inviting city—for those considering moving here and for those wondering, as a queer person, ‘Will I truly feel welcome? Are there spaces in Dallas for me?’ We are honored and proud to bring this project to life,’” Cox continued.

A new healthcare facility, Resource Center Health, will open across the street from Oak Lawn Place later this year.

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Fort Worth ISD to close campus libraries for next several days – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

This blog originally appeared at NBCDFW.

In a move to address prevailing concerns, the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) has made the decision to temporarily close campus libraries for the upcoming days. This measure, prompted by recent circumstances, aims to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the larger community. As Fort Worth navigates these challenges, it’s vital to understand the implications of this decision on education within the city.

Some of Fort Worth’s most important libraries are shut down temporarily. Fort Worth students will not be allowed in school libraries for the next several days.

A Closer Look:

The recent decision to temporarily close campus libraries within the Fort Worth ISD reflects the district’s dedication to safeguarding the health of its students, teachers, and staff. As educational institutions across the country grapple with unprecedented challenges, FWISD has taken a proactive stance to address potential risks.

During this temporary closure, the district remains committed to maintaining a high standard of education. Remote learning and online resources will continue to be accessible to students, ensuring that their educational journey remains uninterrupted. The decision highlights the district’s adaptability and determination to provide a seamless learning experience, even in the face of unforeseen obstacles.

Championing Safety and Well-being:

The safety of students and staff remains at the forefront of FWISD’s priorities. By temporarily closing campus libraries, the district demonstrates its commitment to preventing the potential spread of illness and promoting a healthy learning environment. This move aligns with broader community efforts to prioritize public health and minimize any potential risks associated with gatherings in indoor spaces.

Moving Forward:

As the situation evolves, FWISD continues to assess and adapt its strategies to ensure the best possible outcomes for students and the community. The district’s decision to temporarily close campus libraries underscores its willingness to take proactive steps, and it serves as a reminder that the educational landscape is continually evolving.

Conclusion:

In these dynamic times, the temporary closure of campus libraries by the Fort Worth Independent School District serves as a demonstration of the district’s commitment to its students and staff. By prioritizing safety and well-being, FWISD stands as an example of responsible decision-making in the face of challenges.

While the physical doors of the libraries may be closed for now, the doors of opportunity for learning remain wide open. Through remote learning and online resources, students can continue their educational journey with minimal disruption. As Fort Worth navigates these uncharted waters, the city’s educational institutions, represented by FWISD, show resilience and adaptability. The commitment to education and the safety of students is unwavering, guiding the way toward a brighter future for all.

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