NELA Pride

10/09/2024

10/09/2024

🎉 We’re thrilled to announce that NELA Pride has been selected to have a booth at this year’s Rollin' on the River! 🌊🌈 We can’t wait to connect with all of you and share what we’ve been working on. Want more details? Be sure to sign up for our emails on www.nelapride.com so you don’t miss a thing! 💌✨ We’ll see you there!

05/09/2024

🚨 Exciting things are happening behind the scenes at NELA Pride, and we can't wait to share them with you! 🌈 From upcoming events to community initiatives, we're working hard to make it all happen. Want to be the first to hear about everything we have in the works? Visit our website at www.nelapride.com and sign up for our emails today! 💌✨ Don’t miss out on what’s next—join the NELA Pride family and stay connected!

03/09/2024

WE MADE A MISTAKE--- A BIG ONE!

Our Social Media Committee is hard at work revamping our media presence, but we need your help! Since we took a break after NELA Pride: The Festival, we missed all the amazing pictures. But we REALLY want to see them. So can we get a redo??

Post your pics of NELA Pride: The Festival in the comments. We want to see all of your happy faces, your rainbows, your favorite moments - all of it. Tag yourselves, tag your pride buddies, and share! There were two THOUSAND folks there and we want to see them all.

** Please remember if someone was wearing a red lanyard in your photos to crop them out before posting. Be know that if we love your pictures we may use them on our platforms!!

31/08/2024

The Louisiana LunaChicks will be at Texas Roadhouse TODAY (Saturday, August 31) from 11a-4p to fundraise! If you don't already know, the Lunachicks are some of NELA Pride biggest supporters. They have offered free glitter faces at every single one of our large events and they are always there to lend a helping hand. So now is our time to support them! (And get some delicious grub!)

All you have to do is print this flyer (don't worry if you don't have a printer. When you get there find someone with a LunaChick shirt on and they will give you one). Go eat at the Texas Roadhouse between 11-4. Give the flyer to your server BEFORE YOU ORDER!!!) And that's it! Enjoy your meal and know you helped an incredible group of folks.

30/08/2024

Some how these pics didn’t post of our Community Outreach Committee doing the dang thing at the foster the flock ULM resource fair.

Also check out our new friend who won a free shirt!!!

30/08/2024

🌈🌈 If you are looking for something to do tonight, Tiffany Smith has put together a 🪿 gaggle of g**s 🪿meeting up at Enoch’s! Throw on your NELA Pride shirt and go make some new friends! Hunta Downe and Zach Bolton will be there so go say hi! Tag a friend you are bringing below and make sure to send me some pics since I’ll be stuck working!

28/08/2024

It' only Wednesday, but our Community Engagement Committee has been busy bees already. 💪. First, Zach Bolton and Megan Hawthorne Proffer went live on Louisiana Living to talk about all of the exciting things going on behind the scenes at NELA Pride. 📣

And today, Zach Bolton, Pamela Graves, and Krystal worked the University of Louisiana Monroe Foster The Flock Resource Fair.

]Check out our new website

⭐️⭐️⭐️ www.NELAPride.com ⭐️⭐️⭐️

to sign up for our email list, nominate safe-space businesses, and so much more!

Where else do you want to see our hardworking committees pop up??

20/08/2024

We had all of the best intentions of going live and making some content today, but our table was swamped all day. Thank you for making The Best of the Ouachita one of our best tabling event yet. We had so many folks come by and say they already knew who we were! We are making waves ya'll! 🌊 Megan Hawthorne Proffer Zach Bolton Pamela Graves

11/08/2024

This.. This is why NELA Pride is so important. This is why I do what I do. Every kid matters. We have to stop letting politics and religion create such huge divides in our lives. These kids need us... and they are watching and listening.

Youth who identify as LGBTQ+ reported higher rates of poor mental health and experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors than their cisgender and heterosexual peers.

09/08/2024

Anyone have a spare 10k lying around to buy us a real, big boy Mardi Gras NELA Pride float?! Just saying, you will obviously get free rides for life. We can make sure to ride behind our FUTURE 2025 Twin Cities Krewe de Riviere QUEEN Hunta Downe (And if you haven't gone and voted you better go do it now!) 😂😂

02/08/2024

Whew! We took July off to recover from the incredible NELA Pride: The Festival. 🌈 It was more than we could have ever dreamed, and now we’re ready to hit the ground running. First up: revamping our website, and we need YOUR help!

We believe NELA Pride is a true representation of US – of Northeast Louisiana. We want our website to reflect all the amazing diversity and spirit of our community. So, tell us what you’d like to see! Share your favorite Pride pics, write us a blog post, or send any ideas you have.

Also, don’t forget to invite your friends to subscribe to our website at www.NELAPride.com/subscribe to be the first to know when new content is released. Let’s make our website a vibrant hub for everyone! 🌟

01/08/2024

Yall swing by and see our leadership team at La Bella!! They have festival shirts! We also have some prepaid shirts that wasn’t picked up!

01/08/2024

Our NELA Pride: The Festival Main Stage sponsor Louisiana Campaign for To***co-Free Living is seeking applicants for their Youth Advisory Board. This is a PAID position for youth between the ages of 14-17 and all you need is internet access!

This is an excellent way to get our youth involved with our community and how ANYONE can make a difference. Please share and tag parents of 14-17 year old folks in our area!!

31/07/2024

I really enjoyed the @ Monroe Chamber of Commerce and West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce local government presentation. The hope and momentum our area is experiencing is inspiring! This is part of jumping in and doing the work to make this an even more beautiful place to live.

Of course, I had to sit with my Leadership Ouachita peeps. Ashley Dowling, Eva Brown, Leslie Lawson Caillouet, Amanda Dobson, Hollis Walker, Bob D'Avignon. 💛

Thank you Daphne Anita Garrett, Roy Heatherly, Kristopher Kelley and Jeremy Harrell for all you do for this community!

30/07/2024

Were you unable to get a t-shirt at NELA Pride the festival in June? Here's your chance! Come see us Thursday (August 1st!) at La Bella on The Downtown Gallery Crawl and buy one! We also have will have other merchandise for sale as well as some pretty cool people to hang out with and talk to!"

19/07/2024

📚 Help Us Build A New Library at Pinnacle! 📚

Exciting news! is setting up a brand-new library in the waiting room, and they need your help to make it amazing! This library will operate like a Little Free Library: Take a book; leave a book; return a book; keep a book. 📖✨

The have a fantastic start with a variety of fiction and nonfiction books for all ages, but we’re looking to expand the collection and of course make it inclusive!. That’s where you come in! They are accepting donations of used books to ensure this library is inclusive and diverse.

👉 How You Can Help:

Donate Used Books: Whether it’s a beloved novel or an informative nonfiction book, they'd love to have it!
Delivery Options: Susan Roberts happy to pick up donations, or you can deliver them directly to Pinnacle Family Health
Every book helps, and we appreciate any contribution you can make. Pinnacle Family Health has done so much to support NELA Pride and we are so grateful for an opportunity to give back to them. Thank you for supporting their new library and helping us spread the joy of reading! ❤️

Feel free to share this post and spread the word!

16/07/2024

I hope to see ya'll here tonight. The fun stuff is always important, but it's this kind of event that makes a difference. NELA Pride is taking part in a virtual town hall that discusses the anti-LGBTQ+ laws that go into effect on August 1st. You can come and just listen and watch or be a part of a conversation. Either is perfectly fine and acceptable. They will be discussing our rights, how the laws will affect day-to-day living, and how coalitions across the state are combating this kind of legislation. Tag someone you are bringing and let's go make some changes!

15/07/2024

Don't forget! Tomorrow is the viewing of the town hall!
Our esteemed speakers from Lambda Legal, A4TE, and other organizations will provide in-depth insights into these laws and their specific impacts on parents, students, educators, trans, and non-binary individuals. We encourage everyone to tune in to understand how these legislative changes affect you and learn about strategies to stay safe and protect our community. Your rights and well-being are our top priority, and we are here to support you through these challenging times.

13/07/2024

Just a reminder for our event on Tuesday. The political times right now are very scary, but we can weather this storm together. NELA Pride is more than just an epic festival-throwing bad ass organization, we are here to make this community a better place for the LGBTQ+. We need to light a fire in Northeast Louisiana to be better constituents so we can have a bigger, louder voice to our elected politicians. Please help us share the word so we can gather together on Tuesday to start kindling those sparks! Tag a buddy (especially our teachers and admins in our school systems. Our q***r kids need us to fight for them right now.) and let's fill those seats.

Here is a better description of the town hall published by Forum for Equality:

Our esteemed speakers from Lambda Legal, A4TE, and other organizations will provide in-depth insights into these laws and their specific impacts on parents, students, educators, trans, and non-binary individuals. We encourage everyone to tune in to understand how these legislative changes affect you and learn about strategies to stay safe and protect our community. Your rights and well-being are our top priority, and we are here to support you through these challenging times.

10/07/2024

NELA Pride urgently invites you to attend a viewing of a virtual townhall presented by Louisiana Trans Advocates (LTA) and Forum For Equality (FFE). A panel of expert lawyers will discuss the severe implications of the anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws going into effect in Louisiana on August 1st.

(We will be in-person viewing a virtual event.)

🗓 Date: Tuesday, July 16th
⏰ Time: 6:15 PM
📍 Location: Room 100, Stubbs Hall, ULM Campus

Key points will include:

👉Understanding your rights under these oppressive laws
👉Strategies organizations are using to fight back against this discrimination
👉Essential actions you need to take moving forward

This townhall will be aired virtually by the LoCALL coalition, but we want to view it locally in-person and together. We feel like it is a vital opportunity for our community to unite, educate, and prepare ourselves to fight back. Megan, NELA Pride's president, is part of the presenting coalition and will address questions if time permits.

This is an excellent way to start getting involved. Don't worry if you don't understand the bills or how everything works. That is what we are here for. We can help you learn and understand. All you have to do is show up.

🔴 No RSVP required, but please DM or comment if you plan on attending so we can get a headcount. Feel free to bring friends – the more we educate ourselves, the stronger we stand together.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].



Let's come together and show our strength. See you there. 🌈✊

29/06/2024

☂️Our Umbrella Brigade is getting ready to make some laps through the parking lot!! Please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like us to meet you at your car and es**rt you in to the event! We have our Rainbows flying and our Love shining!!
🌈Text us at the number below, because we won’t be monitoring our Facebook messages!!

28/06/2024

🌈🎉 Join us for an unforgettable day at NELA Pride: The Festival's Main Stage, proudly sponsored by The Louisiana Campaign for To***co Free Living! 🌟

Get ready to be amazed by a lineup of incredible artists and performers who are set to light up the main stage with their talent and passion. From show-stopping musical acts to mesmerizing dance performances, there's something for everyone to enjoy. 🎤💃🕺

This festival is not just about celebrating diversity and inclusion, but also about promoting a healthier, to***co-free lifestyle. Together, we can create a vibrant community where everyone thrives. 💪❤️

Don't miss out on the fun – bring your friends and family to experience the joy and excitement of NELA Pride! See you there! 🏳️‍🌈✨ ***coFreeLiving

28/06/2024

NELA Pride has put a ton of effort into our security protocols. We want to make sure everyone is safe and sound while we celebrate. We're thrilled to have you here for an unforgettable experience of music, food, art, and fun! To ensure everyone has a fantastic time, we've got some important security policies and a code of conduct in place. Don't worry—it's all about keeping the good vibes flowing and making sure everyone feels safe and relaxed. Let's dive in!

1. The Golden Rule: Respect!
Kindness and respect go a long way in creating a harmonious environment for all.

2. Stay Cool, Stay Safe
Contact the Leadership Team or Security if you ever feel uncomfortable or see something that doesn't seem right. The leadership team will wear PURPLE festival shirts, and many security guards will wear uniforms. There will also be a number on the back of your badge with a phone number to text any issues at any time during the festival!

3. Keep it Clean
Please use the designated trash and recycling bins.

4. Lanyard and Badge
Lanyards and badges must be worn at all times by every single person. They are free at check-in once you pass the security checkpoint.

5. No Means No
Consent is key. Always make sure any physical interaction is welcome and mutual. Respect boundaries and personal space.

6. Bag Check Bonanza
For everyone's safety, all bags will be checked at the entrance. Pack light and be prepared for a quick inspection. It’s all part of keeping the festival safe and secure. Bags do not have to be clear, but they must be small. No backpags or big purses.

7. No Alcohol, To***co, or Va**ng
Our festival is a substance-free zone. To keep the environment enjoyable for everyone, no alcohol, to***co, or va**ng is allowed on the festival grounds.

8. No Weapons
No weapons are allowed into the festival. Security checkpoints with metal detectors will ensure everyone's safety.

9. Look Out for Each Other
We’re a big festival family! If you see someone who needs help, lend a hand or notify a staff member. Together, we make the festival a safe space for everyone.

10. Keep the Peace
Aggressive behavior, harassment, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. Our festival is a place of love, joy, and unity.

Remember, these guidelines are here to ensure everyone can relax and enjoy the festival to the fullest. Let’s make this an event to remember, filled with good times, great music, and positive vibes. Have fun, stay safe, and let the festivities begin! 🎶🌟✨

27/06/2024

🌈 Vendor Spotlight: Robbin Rosalis Black Horse Ceramics 🌈

Robbin Rosalis is a Louisiana native who has lived in Monroe for over thirty years. She is an author with two published works available on Amazon. Her writing genre is fantasy fiction. She writes about formidable women in an inclusive, egalitarian society where magic and adventure await. Her website: https://rrosalisauthor.com

As a potter, she operates Black Horse Ceramics, an art studio, featuring Louisiana blended clay and USA-made glazes. She believes that art should serve form and function and her pieces reflect that. You can follow her on Facebook as Black Horse Ceramics.

27/06/2024

🌈 Vendor Spotlight: Pop Frizz 🌈
‘ Hi everyone! We are Pop Frizz.
We are a proudly inclusive salon space operating in the Monroe area. We offer gender neutral booking, and a come as you are environment. Our team of stylists specialize in cut, color, and styling.

We will be hosting a makeover booth for NELA Pride this year with hand dyed hair extensions, makeup sessions, and more! We are so proud and excited to be a part of this festival, and we can’t wait to meet all of you there.

27/06/2024

The Festival is literally days away, and we couldn't be more thrilled! This event is so much more than just an arts and makers fair (though our booths are phenomenal, if we do say so ourselves 😉).

Get ready for an incredible lineup of demonstrations, workshops, and healing spaces that will inspire and rejuvenate you. 🌟

Don't miss out—check out our full schedule of events and start planning your Festival experience now! See you there! 🌿✨