Sample Message
to the WAC Council

Dear {Specific Board Member}, 

I am writing to you as a patron of the Walton Arts Center and member of the {LBTQIA+, Ally, or However You Identify} community.

I am deeply troubled by the recent rift between the Walton Arts Center and the LGBTQIA+ community, and even more so that it has arisen from fear of tradition drag as a form of performance art and cultural expression.

I am asking you to make it right.  Here's how: 

• Reverse the homophobic and cowardly decision not to allow drag with minors present in the Youth Zone at Pride. I understand that this decision was made under the guise of “parental supervision”, but that is inconsistent with other events at the Walton Arts Center, such as hosting field trips and many other activities where youth may not be under direct supervision from their guardians.  NWA Equality has explained the reason for their policies and made ample accommodations for the appropriate involvement of parents. (https://nwapride.org/2023-nwa-pride-youth-zone-activity-statement/)

• Hold leadership at the Walton Arts Center accountable, including replacing Peter Lane and others who made the hurtful decision not to allow “drag performances for minors” (https://waltonartscenter.org/statement/full-statement/).

• Stop spreading misinformation about NWA Equality and the Youth Zone that unnecessarily stokes anger and creates a dangerous atmosphere for all of the events of NWA Pride.

• Refund tickets to those who have requested refunds who no longer feel safe at Walton Arts center. 

Thank you for your time and swift action to correct this egregious failure and damage to the Northwest Arkansas community. 

Thanks, 

{your name and city}