TL;DR
- Henderson Pride president accused of assaulting a go-go dancer.
- Club owner shares security footage of incident.
- Las Vegas PRIDE cuts ties with Henderson Pride.
- Calls for improved safety standards in LGBTQ venues.
- Community demands accountability and respect.
The LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas is reeling after a shocking incident involving the president of Henderson Pride, Anthony Cortez. Allegations have surfaced that Cortez assaulted a go-go dancer at Dust Las Vegas, a popular gay club, igniting outrage and calls for accountability within our community.
On April 26, the owner of Dust, Ryan Bandy, took to social media to share a detailed statement and security footage that captured the alleged assault. The video shows Cortez pulling the dancer off the stage, aggressively bumping him with his chest, and yanking off the pup mask the dancer was wearing. It’s a disturbing scene that left many patrons horrified, as fellow dancers and club-goers rushed to intervene and protect the dancer from Cortez’s aggression.
Bandy, who intervened during the chaos, stated, “When I heard the yelling, I made Mr. Cortez leave the bar area and go to the kitchen to diffuse the situation.” However, the horror unfolded when he later reviewed the surveillance footage with the police, prompting him to ban Cortez from the club altogether. “To my horror, I saw the assault from beginning to end for the first time,” he recounted.
Lex Berio, the go-go dancer at the center of this incident, shared his own footage on Facebook, expressing the emotional toll the assault has taken on him. “I’m having trouble feeling calm again after what happened,” he said, urging the community to recognize the unsafe conditions in some venues. “This is not about tearing anyone down. It’s about raising standards, protecting our community, and making sure Pride events reflect the values we all share — safety, transparency, and integrity.”
In response to the public outcry, Las Vegas PRIDE made a decisive move by cutting all ties with Henderson Pride. Their statement emphasized the importance of accountability within the community, saying, “In light of recent actions by Henderson Pride President Anthony Cortez, Las Vegas PRIDE will not participate in, support, or collaborate with Henderson Pride moving forward.” The message was clear: our community faces enough challenges from outside forces without having to deal with misconduct from within.
This incident has sparked a vital conversation about safety in LGBTQ spaces. As we strive for a world where everyone can express themselves freely and safely, it’s crucial to hold our leaders accountable and ensure that our events reflect our core values. The community is calling for change, and it’s time for venues and organizations to step up and prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals.
As we process this unsettling news, let’s remember the importance of solidarity and support for one another. Together, we can work towards a safer and more inclusive future for the LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas and beyond.