$50,000 Matching Gift Challenge Preserves Dallas LGBTQ+ History

DALLAS - Aug. 15, 2024 - PRLog -- The Dallas Way announces a $50,000 Matching Gift Challenge from James Lynn Williams, honoring his late partner of 46 years, Charles Longcope, Jr. This initiative is part of Williams' philanthropic efforts, which have seen him donate over $1,000,000 since 2022 to support the LGBTQ+ community.

James Williams arrived in Dallas on February 4, 1974, fresh from Army service and armed with degrees from Cornell and Dartmouth. Within 20 days, he met Charles Longcope, Jr., a Dallas high school teacher and fourth-generation Texan. Their serendipitous encounter sparked a 46-year romance built on a shared passion for the arts.

The couple immersed themselves in Dallas's cultural scene, becoming long-time subscribers to the Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony, and Theater Three. Williams, with his rich musical background, became a founding member of the Turtle Creek Chorale. In later years, they were loyal patrons of Uptown Players, even volunteering as ushers.

Tragically, Charles passed away in 2020. Williams has since honored his memory through significant contributions to organizations close to their hearts, including:

• Turtle Creek Chorale - Largest individual donor in TCC history, creating the Charles Longcope, Jr. Artistic Director and Conductor position.
• Uptown Players - Second largest donor, naming five areas within their headquarters.
• Bruce Wood Dance - Supporting this contemporary dance company that harnesses the power of dance to entertain, enrich, and heal.
• The Dallas Way - Funding digitization of Turtle Creek Chorale concert recordings and poster collection.

Founded in 2011, The Dallas Way is dedicated to preserving Dallas' LGBTQ+ history. The organization has amassed over 275,000 documents at the University of North Texas, attracting over a million users through The Portal of Texas History.

The Williams/Longcope Matching Gift Challenge will match donations to The Dallas Way up to $50,000 until the end of 2024, funding the digitization of historical documents for worldwide access.

"Charles was passionate about education and preserving our community's history," said Williams. "This challenge will ensure future generations can learn from Dallas's unique LGBTQ+ heritage."

Robert Emery, president of The Dallas Way, added, "This gift ensures Dallas' diverse LGBTQ+ history will be studied for generations, providing valuable resources for research and education."

Donations to The Dallas Way, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, are tax-deductible and can be made at TheDallasWay.org/Donate or North Texas Giving Day. Participants will double their impact in preserving Dallas's LGBTQ+ history.