John Horany, Melissa Grove receive 2022 Pillar of Pride awards

Oak Lawn Band presents honors during the season finale concert, Mixtape: A 40th Anniversary Celebration

DALLAS - June 8, 2022 - PRLog -- The Oak Lawn Band will present the 2022 Pillar of Freedom Award to attorney John K Horany and Melissa Grove, executive director of Legacy Cares, during the season finale concert:

WHO:        Oak Lawn Band
WHAT:       Pillar of Freedom Award
WHEN:      Saturday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE:    Latino Cultural Center
WHY:         honoring John K Horany & Melissa Grove

"We are humbled to honor these two great civic leaders, who we're proud to call our friends and advocates," said Miranda Rodriguez, the Oak Lawn Band president. "John and Melissa have both worked tirelessly to help countless members of our community. We can't think of anyone better for us to honor than these two."

John K Horany is a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer. A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, John gained national notoriety in 1999 after successfully representing the people of his hometown during a federal lawsuit that ultimately prevented the removal of two books – Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate – from the local public library. Partnering with the American Civil Liberties Union and on behalf of the American Library Association, John faced vocal opposition from charismatic church leaders, including Robert Jeffress, then pastor of the local First Baptist Church.

Melissa Grove has served as the executive director of Legacy Cares, formerly known as Legacy Counseling Center, for over 20 years. During Melissa's tenure, she successfully transformed Legacy into one of the area's leading community service organizations, serving people challenged with HIV and AIDS. Melissa, a mental health care specialist and dedicated community activist, substantially increased the reach of Legacy's mental health, substance abuse treatment, and special care housing programs throughout the North Texas area.

The Oak Lawn Band annually presents the Pillar of Freedom Award to honor individuals and organizations with an outstanding philanthropic commitment to Dallas' LGBTQIA+ community. Past recipients of the Pillar of Freedom Award include Cece Cox, Michael Doughman, John Fullinwider, Tony Daniel, Don Jenkins (AKA Donna Dumae), Rev Steve Sprinkle, and Youth First Texas.

The band will present John and Melissa the award during the organization's season finale concert, Mixtape: A 40th Anniversary Celebration. The show features many band favorites like the William Tell Overture, Variations on a Korean Folk Tune by Chance, and Markowski's City Trees, commissioned for the OLB.

About the Oak Lawn Band
Celebrating over 40 years of making music and serving the community, the Oak Lawn Band provides a welcoming and supportive environment for performers from across North Texas, regardless of their gender identity, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and musical ability. The OLB is a proud member of the Pride Bands Alliance (FKA LGBA - Lesbian & Gay Band Association)

Contact
Wade Hyde
***@wadehyde.com
Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)



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