So it is almost June and we have a long and interesting summer ahead of us. There is so much going on that we could talk about here but I think I would like to broach a subject that is closer to our community than all of the outside hatred and bigotry that we are seeing every day.
I think I should let everyone here know how eternally grateful I am for the community we have found here in Fayetteville and the surrounding areas. We have a network of friends that at one time I would never have imagined, and probably would not have believed if I had been told, was even possible in this area. Many of you are just as passionate and work just as hard as we do to try to make a difference for the LGBTQI and Allies community in our area. It is a wonderful source of pride for me to know you all.
Pride is the subject I am beating so hard around the bush to get to. Unbeknownst to most of us, there has actually been a pride event here for the last four years. Amazed by this? We certainly were. From what I understand, there were some issues with the past organizers and this pride event was pretty exclusive. For me, having any Pride event and making it exclusive is an oxymoron, but I digress.
INCEPTION Pride in Fayetteville is under new management and we were lucky enough to meet with a board member, Nicki Brown, and she graciously included the Alliance as a whole in this event. Storm and I are now board members for INCEPTION Pride and the Alliance has been given the opportunity to be a large part of this week-long event, including being responsible for the Kickoff Events for the beginning of the week. The first of these events has already been advertised and added as a meetup for us, the 1st Anniversary Picnic at Lake Rim Park on August 18th at 11am.
We will soon be posting the itinerary for the entire week, including all of the events planned (and people, this thing is gonna be huge!) with dates, times, etc. I can tell you that the events stretch from August 18th through August 26th and there is something for everyone. There are family friendly events, adult only events, something just for the guys, something just for the girls, fun stuff, serious stuff, drool worthy stuff, spiritual stuff....the list is pretty long.
INCEPTION has also managed to snag some fairly big names for these events. Our local stars have also graciously agreed to be part of these events. I can not begin to tell you how excited we are to be able to help with this. Especially in the wake of Amendment 1 passing, we feel that working for a huge turnout and possibly the biggest pride event in NC is a clear message that adversity only makes us stronger and no way are we giving up!
I am going to put the dreaded call out for help here. We will be needing volunteers for all types of events throughout that week and I am really hoping to see a wave of support so strong that we run out of jobs for people to do. We will soon be posting a list of dates and times where volunteers are needed, so if any of you are interested, willing, and able to help, please keep an eye out. There are some bene's to being a volunteer too. You will find out more about those later.
If anyone wants to get a sneak peek at what we are doing (some of you may have already checked this out) then go to the Owt.RAGE.us website and see what they already have up. Please take into consideration that the site is still under construction and new information is being added as it is obtained. We want you well informed and ready for the Pride of your life when all is said and done.
If anyone has any questions about this, please contact any of the Alliance Board members but be aware that there may be some information we cannot give you yet or details that we may not be solid on being that this is a work in progress. Much of the planning is done and events nailed down but we are constantly adding to what we have in an attempt to make this week a blowout Pride event, so we may have some surprises pop up for you along the way.
Let us not forget to also give major kudos and props to Alias Night Club, an official INCEPTION Pride sponsor and event venue, for all of their hard work and willingness to help the LGBTQI community here. Please go out and support them any chance you get. They are throwing an awesome White Party on June 16th, with a pre-White Party on the 15th. We will be there so come out and join us for the fun!
