Post submitted by James K Rector, HRC Arkansas Field Organizer

HRC Arkansas kicked off National LGBTQ Pride Month at the Conway Pride Parade and Festival earlier this month. The 14th annual event was celebrated the lives of two local advocates: Robert Loyd and John Schenck.

Loyd and Schenck founded Conway Pride. Sadly, Loyd passed away on December 30, 2015, and Schenck passed away on December 28, 2016. They were the first same-sex couple to get married in Faulkner County after the historic Obergefell v. Hodges decision in June 2015.

The couple became famous locally after they painted their home a colorful hue of the rainbow. Now known as the Pink House, it is a safe space for the LGBTQ community and has served as the starting point of the parade.

HRC looks forward to continuing the pride celebration on Saturday, June 24, in Northwest Arkansas. If you are interested in volunteering, click here to sign up today.