Pride Friday in the City

With their being Moral Mondays, Truthful Tuesdays already in place, we at COP 24/7 had thoughts that perhaps during the month of June we should have "Pride Friday's." Sounds like an novel idea to me and so it is. Each Friday this month we will highlight interesting individuals, policies or agencies that doing work that we all should be proud of. Therefore, if you have suggestions, submission, nomination or observation, then by all means share it with this forum. After all COP 24/7 was designed with you in mind. And with that said, let's go for our first Pride Friday with the video  below which sets the tone moving forward in pride!

 

NWA Kicks Pride into High Gear

Congrats go out to the organizers and supports of Arkansas River Valley Pride sponsored by the River Valley Equality Center. According to the groups website, "the River Valley Equality Center is a community organization committed to non-violent advocacy for the rights of all humans, with an emphasis on the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender communities and other minority sexualities.

 RVEC is using a combination of visible action, education, and social support to change misinformed hatred and prejudice to acceptance and goodwill. Currently Willie Frisby serves as President.

RVEC meets on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 7 pm in the Chambers Hall of St. Johns Episcopal Church on the corner of North B and 6th Street in downtown Fort Smith, AR.

The week long event will fun from June 3 -8 culminating in a big Miss River Valley Pageant and show as well as Tea Dance Brunch at Kinkades on Garrison Avenue.

COP 24/7 has run through this joint previously and can report that it can be a hot time in the town. Free Testing was provided by local provider ARCare and a host of allies and sponsors filled the week with a variety of activities ranging from a skate party to a Field Day Pride Picnic held at Belle Isle Park. Check out their Facebook pages for some great candid shots and additional updates.


Pride in the City

The 2nd Annual Little Rock Pride Parade will be held on Sunday, October 5th, at 2 pm, followed by a community picnic and live entertainment on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center according to organizer Jenifer Pierce. The group decided that with so many other primary pride events being held during June, they decided to utilize Gay History Month as a back drop for pride activities in central Arkansas. Currently the group is underway with additional fund raising after having successful theater evenings and other associated fund raising activities.

 From the groups Facebook page  the mission of Central Arkansas Pride is to raise awareness of diversity in the community and, through celebration and education, recognize the positive contributions of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in Arkansas, teach tolerance and acceptance, eliminate prejudice and bias both internally and externally, and honor our sexuality, our culture, our families, our accomplishments, our individuality, and our ongoing struggle for equal rights. 

As more details develop and are confirmed COP 24/7 will be the first to break the news to our base of readers. For more information on how you can help make this event happen you can make a donation directly on their Facebook page. Why not do it today!

Queer Prom: A Masquerade BallSaturday, June 7, 2014
10pm
South on Main
It's that time of the year again, friends! We're so excited to announce the theme for the 5th Annual Little Rock Queer Prom is "A Masquerade Ball!" So dress up, dress down, or don't dress at all, but make sure to be there! It will be a night to come out and support the beautiful and loving Queer Community that exists here in Arkansas!!

Funds raised at this year's prom will be going towards the costs associated with hosting a 6 week "Cooking Matters" course for local low income LGBT identified persons. Hopefully, we will raise enough to have more than one course!! For more information on the Cooking Matters program, check out the following website: http://www.arhungeralliance.org/programs/no-kid-hungry/cooking-matters/

This is an all ages event!! Families welcome, nay, encouraged to come!! If you want to come but don't have an ID, that's no problem!!! You just can't drink.

There will be a cash bar, and the talented folks at South on Main will be serving up cocktails, as well as a bar food menu. We couldn't be more excited that they are hosting the prom in their beautiful space!!

All the Queer Prom staples will be present!!
-Photobooth with a photographer (you can also take your own pics at the Photo Booth)
-Tee Shirts for sale
-Booze
-Prom King and Queen
-Lots of music, and DANCING!!!

DJ Grant Vanderbilt of the House of Avalon will be keeping us dancing all night,