Anthony Cortez, founder and president of the Henderson Pride Festival, is stepping down after a go-go dancer says he was yanked offstage and threatened during a daytime performance at Dust Las Vegas. Video of the tense confrontation quickly spread online, and performers, vendors and local organizations began backing away from the festival. The dancer, Luis Araya, told reporters he has filed for a protection order and launched a petition urging the City of Henderson to cut ties with the event's organizers, according to KSNV.
The encounter, captured on both surveillance and cell phone video, shows a man witnesses identified as Cortez pulling Araya off the stage, tearing off his mask and shouting threats while other patrons and performers rush in to intervene. The footage, along with Araya's account, rattled many in the local LGBTQ+ community and raised new concerns about safety at nightlife spots, KSNV reported.
Video And Club Response
Dust Las Vegas owner Ryan Bandy posted a statement and surveillance clips to social media, saying he escorted the man out of the bar and later reviewed the footage with police. That review, he said, led the venue to ban Cortez from the property. Bandy added that Dust typically does not hire security for smaller afternoon shows and that the incident has pushed the bar to make changes aimed at better protecting performers, according to Out.
Community Organizations Pull Back
In the fallout, performers, vendors and larger Pride groups publicly announced they were distancing themselves from Henderson Pride. Las Vegas PRIDE issued a formal statement saying it will not participate in, support or collaborate with Henderson Pride going forward, citing the need to uphold safety and accountability in community spaces. That public pullback ramped up pressure on festival leadership and forced local partners to rethink whether they want their names attached to the event.
Leader Apologizes And Steps Down
The ICME Foundation, the nonprofit that lists the Henderson Pride Festival among its events, released a statement on Cortez's behalf stating that he "deeply regret[s]" his actions and was stepping down as president effective immediately. Araya, who has described filing a protection order and starting a petition calling on city officials to distance the municipality from the festival organizers, has continued to speak out as the story gains attention. KSNV also reported that Cortez has been banned from Dust Las Vegas amid the backlash.
Festival Still Listed Online
Despite the resignation and the wave of public distancing, Henderson Pride's official website still advertises a 6th annual festival at Water Street Plaza on May 2, 2026, and continues to promote vendors and sponsors. That listing indicates the event remains on the calendar even as multiple local groups weigh whether to take part. The festival is shown on the organization's site with the ICME Foundation named as the organizer, as seen on Henderson Pride.
