Expanding equality in the River Valley

by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief

In the past couple of years, the River Valley Equality Center (RVEC) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, has been working to establish a sound foundation for the organization to promote longevity for their community support. Their primary goal “has been and will continue to be community support,” according to the center's new President, Jeremy Woody.

"We want a safe space for people in the LGBTQ community and those involved with the community. We want to provide resources to empower those struggling to improve their lives and those that follow them," said Woody.

RVEC’s mission is being “committed to non-violent advocacy for the rights of all humans, with an emphasis on the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender communities and other minority sexualities. RVEC is using a combination of visible action, education, and social support to change misinformed hatred and prejudice to acceptance and goodwill.”

"As president, I want to expand our reach and visibility as to serve more in the River Valley."

Woody says he has made it a goal to remain in Arkansas to facilitate tolerance and love in an area typically labeled as the opposite. In his personal life, he has a daughter who is 15, and two dogs, Miley and Cookie and works as a Speech Language Pathologist.

Woody plans to begin planning for RVEC Pride 2016 immediately after their annual Gala April 2.

"I will send our gala teasers; our theme this year is Return to OZ. The pride planning committee will begin soon.”

Woody is joined by Willie Frisby as Board Secretary, Jordan Rudd, Treasurer and Members-at-Large are, Kristina Sisco, Morgan Grant and Jason Phillips.

For more information on RVEC, visit www.rvecark.org.

The Gayly - 2/19/2016 @ 4:37 p.m. CST