Arkansas LGBTQIA+ events

Pride! 365 logo with a rainbow-colored skyline and curved lines

Central Arkansas Pride celebrates Pride here in Arkansas on the third Saturday of our history month in October. Established in 2013, Central Arkansas Pride is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization fueled by volunteers.

Our volunteer team’s mission is to create events and programs that educate, unite, and inspire, building a strong LGBTQIA+ community and our allies in Arkansas. PRIDE is to be Celebrated 365

The LGBTQIA+ PRIDE movement is a vibrant, inclusive movement of affirmation, dignity, equality, and visibility that honors the LGBTQIA+ community, our history, achievements, and ongoing struggle for equality here in Arkansas and around the world.

PRIDE serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of acceptance, diversity, and love. It brings together individuals, organizations, and communities to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and celebrate progress toward a more inclusive society.

Ways to participate 365:

-Register to Vote

-Visibility Matters: Attend PRIDE and community marches and festivals

-Volunteer with us, creating safe events

-Educate Yourself and Others (see our resource page)

-Support and Advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ Organizations

-Show support on Social Media

“We have PRIDE because we are not free. Pride was, is, and always will be a protest.

Our protest is fighting for our rights, our artists performing,

the subtle and loud ways we showcase our rainbows to find safety or joy, especially now.

Our protest is love, and it is strong”. ~Fernando Zweifach Lopez Jr

The Pride movement, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, originated from the Stonewall riots in 1969. This sparked a wave of activism and led to the first Pride marches, commemorating the Stonewall Inn uprising (Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NY). The first Pride marches took place in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles on June 28, 1970. Prides now occur throughout the year and feature parades, marches, and community celebrations.

Entrance gate with rainbow flags and a sign indicating Stonewall National Monument, managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service.
Historical marker for the Stonewall Inn, describing its significance as a site for LGBTQ+ activism and its status as a New York State Historic Site since 2016.
Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center sign with Pride-themed decorations and a quote about bravery and equality.
A colorful poster featuring a smiling woman with a floral headpiece, surrounded by vibrant flowers. Text on the poster reads 'Joy and Defiance.'

Marsha P. Johnson

A smiling woman with gray, curly hair wearing a colorful dress with blue and purple tulle accents.
A woman with dark, wavy hair wearing a white jacket over a red top, smiling at the camera.

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy

Sylia Rivera

People gather on a city sidewalk for a parade, with a rainbow pride banner inscribed with "EQUALITY," and streetcar tracks run along the curb. Many are sitting and standing, some dressed in black with colorful accessories, in front of brick buildings
Two smiling people sitting on a motorcycle, wearing sunglasses and casual clothing, with trees and a parking lot in the background.
Group of people holding a rainbow flag at an outdoor event, celebrating LGBTQ pride.
A person holding a transgender pride flag walking in a parade, with other parade participants and onlookers in the background.
Crowd of diverse people at a pride event outdoors, raising hands, some with rainbow accessories, in front of tents and buildings on a sunny day.
A woman dancing at an outdoor event with a crowd under a bridge, wearing a beige fringe dress and having curly hair.
People participating in a pride parade on a city street, holding colorful balloon arrangements and wearing black shirts with rainbow text, with onlookers watching from the sidewalk.
Person wearing rainbow pride tank top, sunglasses, and headband holding roller skates, standing in a crowded street during a pride event.
A parade scene with people riding in a decorated float. A young woman with rainbow-striped leggings is holding a small dog dressed in a gray outfit and sitting on her lap. Behind her, a person holds a black sign saying "I'm straight for y'all" with a
People celebrating outdoors during a pride event, with a woman with red curly hair in the center smiling and dancing, surrounded by others in colorful attire and accessories.
Two people hugging at a pride parade; one is wearing a unicorn horn headband and a rainbow-colored, iridescent cape, with glasses and a beard. The other person is wearing a white t-shirt and is partially visible.
People participating in a pride parade holding rainbow-colored signs that spell 'LOVE' on a city street with buildings and onlookers.
Crowd of people at an outdoor event on a stage, many wearing rainbow and pride-themed clothing and accessories, with a person holding a rainbow-colored pride flag.
Group of people, including children and adults, participating in a pride parade with rainbow-themed decorations and an umbrella at a parking lot.
Woman smiling holding a transparent umbrella with rainbow hearts and the word 'PRIDE' during a pride event
Float decorated with a church replica, colorful balloons, and rainbow fabric in a parking lot, with people nearby.
Two men at a Pride festival, one wearing a white cap, sunglasses, and black shirt, the other wearing a blue cap, sunglasses, and black T-shirt, standing in front of a pink banner reading 'Little Rock Pride Fest Family Zone.' Behind them are colorful
People at a pride parade holding rainbow-colored and rainbow-striped flags, with a performer on a stage in the background and trees around.
A woman at an outdoor Pride event, wearing rainbow accessories, tie-dye clothes, and a sticker that says 'God Made Me Perfect.' She is smiling and talking on her phone, with rainbow flags and other people in the background.
A crowd of people participating in a pride parade, holding rainbow flags and signs, with some wearing rainbow-colored accessories and tutus, on a city street under a partly cloudy sky.
A group of protesters marching on a city street holding a large pink banner that reads 'Stand with Planned Parenthood' and smaller pink signs that say 'Together We Fight for All.'
People celebrating in a parade, wearing colorful costumes and accessories, on a float decorated with balloons.
Crowd of diverse people attending an outdoor LGBTQ+ pride festival with vendor tents, some wearing rainbow-themed clothing and accessories.
Group of six people at an outdoor event, some wearing sunglasses, two shirtless men, one seated and one standing, all smiling under a canopy, with drinks on the table.
People participating in a Pride parade, riding bikes decorated with rainbow flags and accessories, with colorful rainbow flags and balloons visible in the background.
A group of people participating in a pride parade, holding a rainbow flag that says "You Are Loved," with colorful flowers in the foreground and buildings in the background on a sunny day.
A colorful Pride parade float features a giant puppet of Jesus wearing a rainbow scarf and white robe, with a sign promoting love and equality in the foreground.
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  • Crowd of people celebrating at an outdoor Pride event with rainbow flags and colorful accessories, some wearing rainbow-themed clothing, in a city park with tents and buildings in the background.

    About Central Arkansas Pride

    Central Arkansas Pride is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization focused on building a stronger 2SLGBTQIA+ community with our allies in Arkansas and helping all feel welcome and empowered.

    Our all-volunteer team creates events and programs that

    unite, inspire, and educate.

    PRIDE IS A JOYFUL DEFIANCE!

  • A woman with curly hair dressed in a fringed, sparkly outfit performing at an outdoor event, with a crowd and stage in the background.

    Entertainment

    Be entertained by our diverse amazing Arkansas 2SLGBTQIA+ performances on our Main stage!

    Celebrate and dance in Joyful Defiance!

  • A street parade with motorcycles, a rainbow flag, and a crowd of onlookers on the sidewalks, some holding LGBTQ+ flags, during daytime.

    Parade

    Parade starts at 11 am.

    All are welcome to march in unity and be visible for the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities’ continued fight for equality on Capitol Avenue in the Heart of Arkansas.

    Volunteer to carry the parade flag!

  • Two women on a float riding in a Pride parade, both smiling and wearing rainbow accessories, including rainbow flags, rainbow-themed glasses, and fairy wings, under a rainbow-colored balloon arch.

    PRIDEFest

    PRIDEFest unites, educates, and inspires the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and our allies with our over 160 vendors and entertainers. Connecting, networking, and supporting each other. Building a better Arkansas!.

    COME OUT and celebrate in Joyful Defiance.

    See the resources, crafts, organizations, businesses, and food trucks that support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It is a safe space to be your true self. Meet old friends and find new friends and allies.

    A safe place where you are supported and loved!