Humanity
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.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 7 months ago in Pride
One Chair, Many Stories
Every home holds something special—not expensive or fancy, but filled with silent memories. Sometimes, that special thing is a simple wooden chair. We pass by it every day, barely noticing it. But if that chair could talk, what stories would it tell?
By aadam khan7 months ago in Pride
A Shy Person’s Guide To Building A Personal Brand
Creating a personal brand often seems like a competition built exclusively for outgoing personalities. Standard guidance consistently emphasizes the same approach: publish continuously, broadcast everything, connect aggressively, maintain omnipresence. For many people, this strategy feels completely overwhelming.
By Muhammad Sabeel7 months ago in Pride
When I Lost My Job, I Found Myself — And an Income Online
I never thought I'd be the kind of man who would cry over a job. I always saw myself as the strong one—provider, planner, protector. You lose a job, you get another one, right? That’s what I used to think. But that idea collapsed the day I walked out of my office, holding a brown cardboard box with my name written in black marker on the side.
By Oguntade Hafeez Olalekan7 months ago in Pride
Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage Equality . Top Story - June 2025.
Where were you and what were you doing on June 26, 2015? For me, it was just another day at the office. So why did I bring up this date, you ask? Because today is the 10-year anniversary of marriage equality becoming the law of the land in all 50 states. The United States became the 21st country to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. It was a huge victory for the us, the LGBTQ+ community, activists, and same-sex couples themselves. Two other groundbreaking rulings also happened on this day: Propositional 8 and the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Propositional 8, also known as Prop 8, was a California ballot proposition that passed in November 2008, which previously prohibited Californian same-sex couples from marrying. In 2010, it was ruled unconstitutional and didn't go into effect until 2013. The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, was a law that was passed and signed by then President Bill Clinton in 1996. It previously prevented the government from recognizing gay and lesbian couples. However, it was later struck down, specifically Section 3 (1 U.S.C. § 7).
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 7 months ago in Pride
Be Honest
Honesty is one of the most important values in life. It means always speaking the truth, standing for what is right, and being fair in everything we do. When you are honest, people trust you. But when you tell lies, people stop believing you. That is why honesty is called the "best policy." An honest person is respected by family, friends, teachers, and even strangers.
By aadam khan7 months ago in Pride
The Best Ways You Can Support Your Asexual Friends
When I first came out as asexual to my friends, it was...awkward to say the least. One said to me, "I've never met one of those before." Another looked at me in shock that someone out there could have no interest in sex. With each friend I told, I got bombarded with more and more questions, like I was a space alien waiting for the mothership to bring me back to my home planet. Believe me, times like that, I wish I were.
By The Scarlet Starlet7 months ago in Pride
In Memoriam: Victims of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting. Top Story - June 2025. Content Warning.
On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire at Pulse Nightclub, a gay club in Orlando, Florida. At just after two in the morning, twenty nine year old Omar Mateen entered the nightclub with a handgun and a semi-automatic rifle, where he proceeded to kill forty nine people and injure fifty three others.
By choreomania7 months ago in Pride
