Meet Cece Cox

VISIT DALLAS: For those unfamiliar, how would you describe Resource Center and its role in Dallas?

CECE COX: In the LGBTQ community, centers are often the first place that a queer person seeks resources, whether online or in person. As one of the largest centers in the United States, Resource Center provides healthcare; affordable senior housing; programs for youth, adults and transgender individuals, and community events and fundraisers such as Gaybingo® and Toast to Life®.

In its 43 years, Resource Center has served both as a foundation and an activator. An advocate for inclusion, equity and change, Resource Center was founded in 1983 as a result of discrimination against LGBTQ people and the impact of the AIDS pandemic. It’s our mission and DNA to stand up for our community and also those at the intersections of race, gender and queer identity.

VISIT DALLAS: You’ve spent your career advocating for equality, health, and community. What first inspired you to pursue this path?

CECE COX: I always had disgust for discrimination and inequity. My hometown was racially segregated, and I didn’t understand why that seemed OK to most people. After I moved to Dallas and came out as lesbian, two things were catalysts —state district court judge Jack Hampton gave the lightest sentence possible to murderers of two gay men and said the victims were “asking for it,” and Randy Shilts’s 1987 book “And the Band Played On,” detailing government indifference to AIDS. I realized no one was going to save us but ourselves.

VISIT DALLAS: Looking back on your journey, were there pivotal moments that shaped your leadership style and purpose?

CECE COX: When I became CEO, I took on a flailing capital campaign. It was part of why I took the job, and was also what terrified me. I then read a book that helped me shift from a mindset of fear to abundance, and that has made all the difference. The universe is supporting us every minute of every day — we just need to pay attention and access that support.

VISIT DALLAS: You’ve led the Resource Center through significant growth and impact. What has kept you motivated and grounded in your career?

CECE COX: Eye on the prize! Creating isn’t always fun — it can be a slog of wrangling resources, navigating politics, finding money under rocks — but focusing on the dream of the final outcome keeps the work joyful. I also think about something my dad told me after he helped defeat a hostile corporate takeover — he said he didn’t go into the situation knowing what to do, but he trusted his colleagues and figured it out.

VISIT DALLAS: Dallas is a city fueled by people and purpose. What does Dallas mean to you, both personally and professionally?

CECE COX: Dallas means community, but also dreams unachieved — I moved here at age 22, came out, and soon found a vibrant queer neighborhood and community that nurtured me and motivated me to care about contributing to our city. That said, Dallas has one of the largest income disparities of any city in the country, and that is holding us back.

VISIT DALLAS: How have you seen Dallas evolve when it comes to inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ community?

CECE COX: In 1995, I was president of the Dallas Gay & Lesbian Alliance and worked with others for the city’s non-discrimination employment policy to include sexual orientation. It was a full-out battle to achieve that. Now, doors are open that were not before. Dallas has usually done the right thing, but state and federal officials have prioritized discrimination against LGBTQ people. Dallas must remain vigilant to protect and include its queer residents.

VISIT DALLAS: For travelers visiting Dallas, how can Resource Center be a resource or point of connection during their stay?

CECE COX: When I visit other LGBTQ centers, I always find inspiration in how they are creating community by providing places and spaces to connect. We have Gaybingo® every third Saturday (except December); Toast to Life® fundraiser is usually in early April; the Community Center welcomes visitors; Resource Center Health has condoms, testing, pharmacy and primary medical care, and Oak Lawn Place affordable housing for seniors is beautiful to see as inspiration for what can be accomplished in a community.

VISIT DALLAS: Why is it important for a destination city like Dallas to have organizations like Resource Center as part of its community fabric?

CECE COX: A thriving LGBTQ organization is an indicator that a city values and includes that community in its civic life. Resource Center also provides a safe haven for queer people to self-actualize and gain confidence in order to contribute to the larger community.

VISIT DALLAS: Leading an organization like Resource Center requires both heart and strategy. What skills have been essential to your success as a leader?

CECE COX: Input and preparation. I seek input — I value other perspectives. I can’t possibly know all the answers or approaches to an issue. And, when advocating for a cause or idea, I am prepared. I do my homework and present my case so that others can understand the “why.”

VISIT DALLAS: The work you do has a direct impact on people’s lives. Can you share a moment that reminded you why this work matters?

CECE COX: In 2024, Resource Center opened Oak Lawn Place, an affordable apartment complex for individuals age 55+. Residents have shared so many heartfelt stories with me, including a 77-year-old gay man sporting a pink boa, who said his new home was the first place where he felt safe enough to be himself. Seventy-seven years is a long time to wait, and I’m so glad he now has that.

VISIT DALLAS: The ‘Cause She Can campaign celebrates women who embody Dallas’ Maverick, Can-Do Spirit. What does that mindset mean to you?

CECE COX: Get Sh*t Done — lean on other women and supporters and get it done. Don’t be afraid to ask for help — the ones you can depend on will say “yes!”

VISIT DALLAS: Throughout your career, have there been moments when you realized the impact your work had on others?

CECE COX: Sometimes those moments come out of the blue — I’ve had parents and young adults walk up to me and share how much the Center’s programs for youth and families helped them thrive.

VISIT DALLAS: What advice would you give to women who want to lead with purpose and create meaningful change in their communities?

CECE COX: Build a network. No one person has all the skills and resources for every challenge, and we need trusted advisors. Also, maintain and nurture friendships and family ties. I think those of us who are driven to create change, know that the work never ends; however, that doesn’t mean that we are the ones to do all the work. Lift up the generations behind us, stay rooted with your friends and family, and remember to drink water and eat lunch!

What is one Dallas place you never get tired of recommending?

Mot Hai Ba, a cozy respite with a dynamic Vietnamese menu.

Where do you go in Dallas to recharge and reflect?

White Rock Lake – early morning bird symphonies, east side sunsets, and if I can’t get there, I stand in my backyard to listen and feel.

If someone has just one day in Dallas, what should absolutely be on their itinerary? Cross the Calatrava-designed bridges; walk or ride a bike at White Rock Lake; take your pick of venues in the Arts District and grab a grilled cheese from Ruthie’s food truck; stroll the gayborhood on Cedar Springs or get a beverage and watch the action from the second-floor patio of JR’s or Sue Ellen’s; walk the campus of SMU up to Dallas Hall; Grab tacos on Davis Street and head to a concert at The Kessler or see a Mavs Game!

Finish this sentence: I believe anything is possible if… you decide it is.