FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan voiced his support for equal rights Saturday during the fifth annual Northwest Arkansas Gay Pride Parade on Dickson Street.
“Across the country today, we march proud, and we stand together,” Jordan said, while standing on the back of a pickup near the Walton Arts Center. “As a community, we don’t desire to limit the equality of some. Instead, we choose to break down the stone walls of discrimination.”
Jordan went on to proclaim June 21-26 as Pride Week in Fayetteville.
The modern gay rights movement started 40 years ago on a June night in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village in New York. The bar was raided by police — a common occurrence at the time. The bar’s patrons, which included lesbians, drag queens and everyone in between, fought back.
Since then, cities across the country have revered June as Pride Month.
In the past, the observance has been celebrated locally with a small parade on Dickson Street. This year, the Northwest Arkansas Center for Equality opted to fill the entire month with activities, not only to attract tourists, but also to broaden the discussion of issues surrounding the equal rights movement.
“I was very inspired by what the mayor had to say today,” said Steve Borbeck, who traveled to Fayetteville from Kansas City. “He was supportive of the entire community, not just gay people.”
Discounted tickets for a Northwest Arkansas Naturals game, a documentary about gay civil rights activist Bayard Ruskin and a safe-sex workshop were among the events hosted as part of the “All Out June” celebration.
Borbeck, whose friends call him “Yip,” said the observance is a small step toward addressing the larger issues surrounding equal rights.
“I think we’ve made a lot of progress nationally, but there are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed,” he said. “Marriage rights and ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal are among the first two that come to mind.”
The rally and parade Saturday, hosted by Northwest Arkansas Pride, culminated this year’s monthlong celebration, which was funded locally by the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission.
Participants donned rainbow bandanas and tie-dyed T-shirts to show off their pride, while others dressed in drag wearing colorful wigs and tiaras. “Love is a Family Value” and “Equal Rights for All” were among the signs carried by marchers and attached to floats.
Fayetteville police didn’t report any problems with protesters, though person was treated for heat exhaustion by Central Emergency Medical Services.
This year’s parade marshal, 10-year-old Will Phillips, said he is proud of Northwest Arkansas’ willingness to stand up for equal rights.
“I’m not proud of homophobia, intolerance, religious persecution, isolation or bullying,” he said. “But, I am proud to live in Northwest Arkansas. I’m proud to be a part of a community that’s not afraid to stand. Equality is for everyone, not for just what society deems to be normal, whatever that is.”
Phillips garnered national media attention when he declined standing for the Pledge of Allegiance in his West Fork middle school classroom. He said he plans to continue sitting for the Pledge until everyone in the country is treated equally, specifically gay Americans who can’t legally marry in 41 states.
Arkansas amended its constitution in 2004 to make gay marriage and gay civil unions illegal. Arkansas voters approved another amendment in 2008 to prevent unmarried people from adopting or fostering children.
University of Central Arkansas Professor Amos Lassen said he feels the gay rights movement could be progressing too fast.
“I think we’re pushing too hard,” he said. “Until we all have jobs, I don’t think marriage should be the main priority. In Arkansas, particularly in the education field, they can fire you at the drop of a dime for whatever reason. They won’t say it’s because your gay, but they don’t have to.”