Yesterday, October 6th 2018 PFLAG Tupelo, Link Centre, SPECTRUM Toyota, and many member of the local LGBTQ+ community. The event was attended by more than 300 people celebrating togetherness and community spirit.
A Small Portion of the Large Crowd
Speakers included Eric Godiva White as MC, Melanie Deas of the Link Centre the events primary organizing force, as well as individuals from the LGBTQ+ Fund, the HRC Mississippi, and the ACLU of Mississippi.
Melanie Deas (left) and Eric “GoDiva” White (right) Begin the Event
Among the topics of conversation, the most mentioned were the love and acceptance of not only others, but of yourself. And while the focus of the event was Equality and LGBTQ+ community, no one was unwelcome. That included the two protesters, who respectfully stood across the street, and held signs representing their views. Members of the Event team even took them bottles of cold water.
A Sign Held by one of the Two Protesters
Vendors were on site, including artists, as well as booths selling event T-Shirts, and booths for the HRC, LGBTQ+ Fund, the The Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies.
Representatives for the Sarah Isom Center at Ole Miss
Gypsy Roadside and Brunch Box Provided Great Food Truck Options
The Voter Registration Booth Served a Large Number of People With New Registrations and COA Forms
FairPark Locals Hung Flags to Show Support
Eric White Holds Up a Sign Made By an Attendee
A Group of People Hung an Equality Flag on the Statue of Elvis at Fairpark. The Flag Was Taken Down By the Same Attendees By the End of The Event.
The Event T-Shirts. If you did not get one, contact the Link Centre
All in all, the event can be considered a success, and a nice gathering showing the love and support of the Tupelo community for all it’s members.
*As a side note, the City of Tupelo had no part in hosting this event, only granting a permit, as they do with most events. As well, Our Tupelo is not associated with the City of Tupelo. We, however, fully support this event and any event that encourages community togetherness and support.
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Tech Nerd, Creator, Husband, and Father. I get by with a little help from my friends.
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