The University of North Texas Libraries invite applications for the 2016 The Portal to Texas History Research Fellowship. Research using the Portal is relevant to studies in a variety of disciplines including history, journalism, political science, geography, and American studies. We encourage applicants to think creatively about the opportunities that research with large digital library collections can enable. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate the greatest potential for publication and the best use of The Portal to Texas History.

The Portal to Texas History 2016 Research Fellowship Awardee

Dennis Michael Mims

Project Title

A Queer History of Dallas: The Formation, Development, and Integration of Big D’s LGBT Community, 1965-2005​

Project Description

Starting with the founding of the first gay organization in Dallas, the Circle of Friends, and concluding with the year that Lupe Valdez, the first openly-gay sheriff, took office in Dallas, the project will show how significantly things changed during these four decades for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals living within the city of Dallas.

Biography

Dennis Michael Mims is a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas at Dallas. He plans to pursue an academic career in which he researches, writes and teaches about civil rights and social movements. Mr. Mims has chosen this career path because he has always been fascinated by individuals who have organized to bring about social change and social justice for themselves and others. Mr. Mims is a native Texan.