A VISION BORN FROM HISTORY, DRIVEN BY URGENCY
At Badge Of Pride, Queer history isn’t abstract. It’s personal. It’s political. It’s alive.
Founded in 2022 by Adrian Cardwell, Badge Of Pride emerged from a simple, radical conviction: that the stories of LGBTQ+ people—our struggles, our triumphs, our culture—must not only be remembered, but activated as a force for civic engagement, cultural innovation, and social change.
What began as a personal collection of artifacts has grown into a nationally-significant collection, spanning generations of resilience, creativity, and resistance.
We are not merely preserving history. We are building a future where Queer narratives take their rightful place at the center of public memory and cultural power.
MISSION
Our mission is to collect and activate artifacts from LGBTQ+ history to inform, enrich, and engage the power of the contemporary Queer experience.
VISION
We envision a world where LGBTQ+ history is not merely remembered but revered—a world where these narratives inspire courage, advance justice, and define the culture of tomorrow.
Our work ensures that Queer people, especially the most marginalized, see themselves reflected not as footnotes, but as architects of history and shapers of the future.
VALUES
At Badge Of Pride, we are guided by principles that transcend the transactional:
Stewardship of Legacy
We are caretakers of stories, artifacts, and cultural memory—preserving them not as relics but as living instruments for change.
Justice as Praxis
We confront historical erasure and center the voices and experiences of those too often left out of the narrative.
Collaboration as Power
We believe Queer creativity thrives in community. Our partnerships amplify collective impact across generations and movements.
Our full DEI statement can be found here. Our Anti-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity (EEO) policy for staff and volunteers can be found here.
HISTORY. PURPOSE. PRIDE.
The Badge Of Pride Board of Directors is made up of artists, educators, counselors, organizers, and allies—Queer people and advocates who believe in the power of history to shape a more just and vibrant future.
What unites us is a shared commitment to truth, inclusion, and action. We bring bold ideas, deep care, and lived experience to everything we do.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Q. What is Badge Of Pride?
A. Badge Of Pride is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas that preserves and activates LGBTQ+ history through exhibits, oral histories, and community programs.
Q. What is "Badge Of Pride: From Silence…To Celebration!"?
A. “Badge Of Pride: From Silence…To Celebration!” is the largest LGBTQ+ history exhibition ever presented in Texas. It is open through September 28, 2025 at Irving Archives & Museum, with free admission. Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, noon–4 p.m.
Q. What programs are part of Badge Of Pride?
A. In addition to exhibits, Badge Of Pride runs an Oral History Project, public events, panels, and workshops that connect art, queer memory, and activism.
Q. How can I support Badge Of Pride?
A. You can support Badge Of Pride by making a donation or becoming a monthly donor through our program The Continuum. These gifts ensure free access to exhibitions and allow us to bring LGBTQ+ history to more communities across Texas.
Q. What is “queer memory”?
A. Queer memory is the collective remembrance of LGBTQ+ lives, struggles, and achievements. It includes stories, artifacts, and traditions that preserve the history of queer communities and connect past experiences with the present.
Q. Why does preserving LGBTQ+ history matter?
A. Preserving LGBTQ+ history ensures that stories of struggle, love, and activism are not lost to silence or erasure. It helps communities connect with their past and inspires future generations.