Emmy winner Leslie Jordan headlines Northwest Arkansas Equality Night

Fayetteville, Ark. –  Leslie Jordan, an Emmy award-winning actor and playwright known for roles in shows and movies such as Will & Grace, Sordid Lives, American Horror Story, The Help and Designing Women, will take the stage in Fayetteville Friday, Nov. 11. The special one-night only performance headlines Northwest Arkansas Equality Night, an event supporting programs and resources for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community of Benton and Washington counties.

This performance will raise funds for NWA Center for Equality and new scholarships by University of Arkansas’ PRIDE Alumni Society.

The Northwest Arkansas Center for Equality (NWA Equality), Arkansas’ largest nonprofit serving LGBTQ residents and advocating for full equality, began hosting the annual event 10 years ago as a community celebration for LGBTQ people and allies while also raising critical dollars for important programs – from free HIV testing and peer support groups to the region’s annual Pride celebration. This year, NWA Equality is teaming up with the Arkansas Alumni Association’s PRIDE Alumni Society to benefit new scholarships for University of Arkansas students passionate about LGBTQ issues. 

Jordan will perform his one-man show, Straight Outta Chattanooga in the Arkansas Union’s Verizon Ballroom on the University of Arkansas campus and participate in a VIP reception at the Arkansas Alumni House. A silent auction and community presentation will precede Jordan’s performance. Five percent of profit from the event and auction will benefit the Arkansas Alumni Association scholarship fund. 

Tickets are now available for $30-$50 on the NWA Equality website, www.nwaequality.org. The Arkansas Alumni Association is providing a limited number of seats to current University of Arkansas students for free. Students can pick up vouchers on a first-come, first-serve basis Nov. 1-8 at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. Access to the VIP reception and meet and greet is limited, so individuals interested in attending are encouraged to purchase tickets early. The VIP ticket package is $150.

Program schedule Friday, Nov. 11

•    5:30-6:30 p.m. VIP reception at Arkansas Alumni House 
•    6:30-8:30 p.m. Silent auction outside Verizon Ballroom at Arkansas Union
•    8:30 p.m. Community program and Straight Outta Chattanooga performance by Leslie Jordan

Tickets are available at www.nwaequality.org.  

Equality Night is presented by Walmart and made possible by sponsorships. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring the event and/or donating items for the silent auction should call Susan Hartman at (479) 966-9014 or email info@nwaequality.org. 

The NWA Center for Equality is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which leads a grassroots support and advocacy movement working to achieve full equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community in Northwest Arkansas. More information is available at www.nwaequality.org. 

Arkansas Alumni Association: Often considered a first point-of-contact at the University of Arkansas, the Arkansas Alumni Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to connect alumni, friends and students to the University of Arkansas. The Association is housed in the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House which is strategically situated on campus across from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. For more information, visit www.arkansasalumni.org. 

Copyright 2016 The Gayly – September 21, 2016 @ 2:15 p.m.