Good Vibes at Northwest Arkansas Pride 2025

Greetings, Vocal readers and subscribers! This past weekend was eventful and filled with unity. As Pride Month comes to a close, the fight for our equal rights is far from over. Regardless of who's in the White House, we won't rest until everyone has access to the necessary accommodations, such as respectful and proper health care. We have to fight the good fight daily, not just during Pride Month. Also, we won't let a bigoted President and his cohorts devalue and dehumanizing us. We exist and here to stay. As I've stated in my previous stories, equality has always existed. No one is "forcing " it on you or anyone else. Being a decent human being and showing compassion who are different from you isn't optional. It's neither indoctrination, nor controversial. It's also neither a Democrat or Republican thing. It's both a common sense and humanity thing. No group of people should feel unsafe or be discriminated against, just because of who someone is or what they look like. Conservatives tend to call people like us who care about other causes and people's plights woke. Yes. Yes, we are. You know why? It's because I said before, no one deserves to be mistreated in any way, because of one's race, gender, or sexual orientation. We don't want people to lose their lives or suffer due to these Republican politicians and lawmakers having these oppressive laws that harms others. So yes, Republicans. We are woke and yes, we give a damn about those who can't stand up or defend themselves. We refuse to shut up or walk on eggshells in order for us to make you feel comfortable. Our voices will only grow louder and bigger. If we stay silent, then the bullies would win. When I say bullies, I'm referring to conservatives and conservative politicians.

I apologize for the long rant. Had to get those points off my chest. Anyway, I'm going to talk about the fun I've had at Northwest Arkansas Pride this past weekend in Downtown Fayetteville. It's the largest Pride event in the state. I hope everyone had a chance to attend a Pride event in your area and enjoyed yourselves. I attended Northwest Arkansas Pride over the weekend and I had the time of my life. I've attended this event for about 10 years and in 2026 will be a decade since attending my very first Pride parade. I've written and published a story talking about how I found my real family and also community. I'll have a link to that story down below for your viewing pleasure.

https://shopping-feedback.today/pride/finding-my-true-family%3C/a%3E

I arrived in front of a church sometime after three in the afternoon to check in to volunteer. This was my first time volunteering at Northwest Arkansas Pride. I signed up to hold a banner with everyone else in the parade. The church, the beginning spot of the parade route, is LGBTQ+ friendly. Suddenly, a woman who works at the church, was so kind and generous towards me. In the almost 4 decades I've been on this Earth, no one from a church had treated me with kindness and compassion. So I introduced myself to her and stated that I was at the parade to volunteer and hold the banner. We had a great conversation while everyone made last minute preparations before the parade began. I saw signs from people supporting LGBTQ+ people, of course and reading banned books. Years before moving to the town I currently reside in and soon after coming out, I was seeking a church that accepted and loved me as I was, or so I thought. After attending this church for less than a year, I decided to leave it behind and religion for good. The reason was they were regurgitating anti-gay rhetoric. Since that incident, I've never stepped foot inside of a church. I'm still not sure if I want to do that again. I wrote a story about how I didn't have to choose between being gay and believing in God. You can read it down below.

https://shopping-feedback.today/pride/i-can-be-both%3C/a%3E

The parade was about to begin, and I held one side of the banner, and another person held the other. We got to lead off the parade and I was so excited. Not only that, but we got to march with local elected officials. This was a couple of firsts for me and was about to knock both items of my bucket list. The parade began and as we marched down Dickson Street, I cheered and waved to the hundreds and thousands of people in attendance. It was such a great feeling that a community from different walks of life and backgrounds can come together and support people like me. When we got to the end of the parade route, I felt a sense of joy. The main reason why I love living in the town I currently reside in is because of the diversity. Many say that diversity is bad for our country, but I disagree. It's both beneficial and important. These core traits are needed in order for us to remind others to treat everyone with dignity, compassion, and respect. If equality, diversity, and inclusion is so triggering to you, maybe you're the problem. You say that being LGBTQ+ is a sin. The only thing that's a sin is someone who has a hateful heart. Compassion and kindness doesn't cost a thing.

If you haven't attended a Pride event, I highly encourage you to do so and also, volunteer if possible. It's a way for you to make a difference in your community. I plan on volunteering again next year. Despite having a loudmouthed, bigoted President in the White House, we'll continue to show him what real love and acceptance of others is like. Our message will be loud and clear. You can try to silence us, but we refuse to be quiet. Stay woke, my friends.

Do you attend Pride events and if so, how long have you been attending them? Sound off in the comments below and be sure to like this story. Also, follow me on my socials. Finally, please send me a one-off tip at the end of this story to support my work as I continue to write and publish more stories.