NWA Center for Equality brings Leslie Jordan to Fayetteville

Leslie Jordan brings his "Straight Outta Chattanooga" to Northwest Arkansas November 11, to benefit the NWA Center for Equality, and UA scholarships for LGBTQ students. Photo provided.

by Emma Rose Kraus
Journalism Intern

If you are going to be in Northwest Arkansas this November and are looking for a night of comedy and entertainment all in the name of supporting a good cause, then look no further than the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Center for Equality’s new event, the NWA Equality Night.

The Equality Night is to be replacing the organization’s annual Equality Gala as the NWA’s main fundraising event this year as the center goes through a period of change and evolution. This year’s event will be fundraising not only for the Center for Equality but part of the money will be allocated to the creation of a new scholarship for the University of Arkansas for LGBTQ students and those interested in LGBTQ studies.

“It’s an opportunity to support the Center for Equality and it’s also an opportunity to help support the education of our community,” says Susan Hartman, Executive Director of the NWA Center for Equality.

The one night only event is going to be an exciting night with a silent auction and live entertainment from none other than Emmy winner Leslie Jordan who will be performing his touring show “Straight Outta Chattanooga” for the attendees who may also purchase special tickets for a VIP reception with Jordan himself.


NWA Center for Equality thought of doing something different for their Equality Night this year, so they are bringing in Leslie Jordan. Photo provided.

“We were thinking, ‘What is it we can do a little different this year?’ and Leslie Jordan had just kicked off his tour and it was sort of right timing,” Hartman says. “He has a new show, he’s touring the area, he’s on this season’s American Horror Story, so it seemed like a good opportunity to bring him here to Arkansas while he was close by.”

This Equality Night is being used by the NWA Center for Equality as they retool their annual Equality Gala, so this event is going to be a bit different from years past. The Equality Night is going to be less focused on speakers and more focused on the entertainment and raising funds for changes that the group is planning for the near future.

“We’re looking forward to the reinvigoration for the Center for Equality,” says Hartman. “We are currently involved in surveying our community to determine who it is that we serve so that we can then turn around and design the services and programs that we offer to meet the current needs of our community.”

Founded in 2006 as the Northwest Arkansas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, the NWA Center for Equality is a grassroots advocacy organization known for its work in the LGBTQ community. It offers many programs including free and confidential HIV testing and resources, peer support groups, transgender services, professional networking opportunities and social activities.

The group’s mission concentrates on the support of its region’s LGBTQ community and works to create and environment in which that equality may be achieved.

As a non-profit, the group uses events such as the Equality Night to help fund all that it does throughout the year, including the annual Fayetteville Pride Parade which has become the largest Pride celebration in Arkansas.

The Equality Night, presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, will be held November 11 in the Verizon Ballroom of the University of Arkansas Student Union. Information on tickets and availability can be found online at www.nwaequality.org/equalitynight with a limited number of vouchers available for University of Arkansas students at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

Copyright 2016 The Gayly – November 3, 2016 @ 3:15 p.m.