Organizers of northwest Arkansas’ Pride weekend announced on Wednesday that they will not hold events at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville due to the center’s restrictions on drag shows and drag story hours for minors. Northwest Arkansas Equality said it is “pausing its partnership” with the arts center after the facility’s governing board upheld the ban earlier this month.
The decision has been described as “surprising, disappointing, and inconsistent” by Northwest Arkansas Equality, particularly as the Walton Arts Center has shown programs featuring characters in drag, such as “Tootsie” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” This move comes amid increasing pressure on Pride festivals and parades in predominantly conservative states, where there has been a broader push targeting LGBTQ+ rights.
Pressure on Pride Events in Conservative States
A federal judge has blocked neighboring Tennessee’s strict limits on drag shows from taking effect. In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law in February placing restrictions on “adult-oriented” performances, originally targeting drag shows. The law was scaled back following complaints that it discriminated against the LGBTQ+ community and will take effect in late July.
Walton Arts Center officials did not cite the Arkansas law as a reason for prohibiting the shows. Instead, they released a statement claiming the decision was made “in the interest of safety concerns for performers, patrons, and staff due to the divisive political rhetoric at this time.” They also affirmed their commitment to diversity and openness to hosting Pride events, except for drag story time for minors and drag performances by adults specifically for minors.
Northwest Arkansas Equality: Art Censorship at the Arts Center
Northwest Arkansas Equality has used the Walton Arts Center since 2018 as a venue for LGBTQ+ youth and their families, hosting resource fairs, drag story time, and drag shows suitable for teens. Richard Gathright, director of Northwest Arkansas Pride, criticized the center’s decision, stating, “They’re trying to censor clear art at an arts center.”
The group’s Pride Youth Zone will now be held at the Fayetteville Town Center on June 24. This change also means the Walton Arts Center’s plaza will not be used for the parade emcee and announcers. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in conservative regions.