Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer staff
A Fayetteville icon will be a little more colorful this weekend.
Mount Sequoyah officials today announced plans to illuminate the historic cross at the overlook with rainbow colors in celebration of NWA Pride festivities taking place in Fayetteville.
The cross will be illuminated from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday, June 25.
Mount Sequoyah board member Leah Spears-Blackmon, who is also well-known locally as the lead singer of Leah and the Mojo Doctors, said the move is in line with the mission of the center.
From the press release announcing this weekend’s event:
Often when I’m on The Mountain, I consider all of the various reasons why our NWA community visits: retreats, reunions, birthdays, weddings, worship, remembrance of loved ones, exercise, music, meditation, art, every reason imaginable for any and every person. The most common reason for a visit is the cross overlook. The organization’s mission statement is ‘Mount Sequoyah is a welcoming space to celebrate and connect with people, land, and spirit.’
Celebration and connection are also cornerstones of Pride, and there is much to celebrate! However, the challenges still threatening our LGBTQ community reveal that there is much work to be done. LGBTQ activist, Barbara Gittings said it best, ‘Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.’
It is for these reasons – the celebrations, connections, and ongoing challenges – that the Mount Sequoyah Center stands in solidarity with our LGBTQ community and joyously celebrates Pride 2021! On Friday, June 25th, when the cross is bright with Pride colors, reflecting the value and dignity of our whole community, I will be proud and reminded that I am home.”
Local artist Christopher Rumwolf will facilitate the installation.
The overlook at Mount Sequoyah is located at 356 W Skyline Drive.
Remaining NWA Pride events
Thursday, June 24, 7 p.m. – NWA Trans March, Downtown Fayetteville
Friday, June 25, 8 p.m. – Out in the Ozarks w/ Matteo Lane, Fayetteville Town Center
Saturday, June 26, 12 p.m. – NWA Pride Parade, Dickson Street
May 7 – June 30 – Pronouns Trans Art Exhibit, Fenix Gallery at Mount Sequoyah
