OutWords V1, Issue 1
Welcome to OutWords!
Welcome to the realization of a long-anticipated dream!
On a cold winter prairie night in late 2022, a group of about thirty LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit folks from around North Dakota gathered virtually to discuss communication, connection, and community across the 701 prairie. The result was a grassroots initiative for creating a better network of organizations and people for queer progress, Forward 701. This effort has had some success in achieving its goals and has also had some intentional and unintentional time of being fallow.
But with a new year, renewed energy, and one of the first-ever visions for this network is coming to life: an e-publication to create, support, and fortify queer communities in North Dakota. Something that is more important now than ever.
Monthly issues containing original content created by and for LGBTQ+ folks around the state, as well as links to relevant curated stories, ideas, and information from all over the internet. Each month will also highlight events happening in North Dakota. Pride celebrations, drag shows, fundraisers, social events, and special events. The hope is to keep readers in the know and help people connect online and in person.
There is more going on with Forward 701 than just OutWords (but more on that in a future issue!). Until then, happy reading.
Tell others about OutWords and encourage them to subscribe. Share the sign-up link on your social media. Forward this message to others. Help grow the connection of staying informed and building community!
News & Features
Suicide prevention advocate seeks volunteers to support LGBTQ+ youth in North Dakota
The newly launched LGBTQ+ Safety Taskforce will be made up of volunteers from across the state to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ youth by building up resources for queer youth in their area and form connections with local leaders. Learn more and get involved.
Note: If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.”
State Sen. Josh Boschee launches campaign for Fargo mayor
The state’s first openly gay legislator is throwing his hat in the right to become mayor of North Dakota’s largest city.
https://northdakotamonitor.com/briefs/state-sen-josh-boschee-launches-campaign-for-fargo-mayor/
With book challenges and censorship legislation increasing across the nation and right here in our state, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota has launched a Banned Books Club. This initiative encourages individuals and groups to pick up one of the Most Feared Books in ND or join in reading a selected book of the month. The first book is 1984. If you have not read it since your high school English class, it is timely and more than worth a read. If you’ve never read it, you are well overdue! Find out more at aclund.org.
https://www.aclund.org/campaigns-initiatives/banned-books-club/
Trump administration removes Pride flag from Stonewall National Monument
The National Park Service took down a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, a landmark of the LGBTQ rights movement.
GOP candidate for governor of Tennessee wants to execute the parents of trans kids
Tennessee State Representative and gubernatorial candidate Monty Fritts made the shocking remarks during a guest spot on a Christian Nationalist podcast last month.
https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/01/30/monty-fritts-gop-candidate-governor-trans-kids/
Fringe group flag has nothing to do with the LGBTQ+ community, despite right-wing claims
Created in 2018, the flag represents minor-attracted persons (MAPs), a fringe group intent on trying to make pedophilia acceptable by claiming it falls under the LGBTQ+ umbrella.
https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/01/30/minor-attracted-person-lgbtq-explainer/
From Messing to Minaj: 11 divas who disappointed LGBTQ+ fans
These divas have sparked recent controversies with their queer fan bases.
https://www.out.com/celebs/disappointing-divas-lgbtq-fans
Opinions & Columns
An HIV breakthrough is here. Let's not let it go to waste
Opinion: "While the obstacles we face may be significant, Lenacapavir represents a monumental breakthrough in the fight against HIV/AIDS, one we cannot afford to squander," write Dr. Kelly Gebo and Dr. Amanda Caste in the Advocate.
https://www.advocate.com/opinion/an-hiv-breakthrough-is-here-let-s-not-let-it-go-to-waste
The racist, homophobic, and frightening arrest of Don Lemon
Opinion: It’s not a coincidence or an accident that Lemon and other Black journalists were targeted by the Trump Justice Department, writes John Casey in the Advocate.
https://www.advocate.com/opinion/don-lemon-donald-trump-arrest
Events & Announcements
PRIDE Statewide
First Tuesday of each month from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Join other organizations and individuals in conversation around our community.
How can we help one another?
What resources can we provide?
In the future, we are looking to provide resources and speakers aligned with community needs.
Have suggestions? Email us at forward701network@gmail.com
Save the dates for PRIDE 2026!
It is still early in the year, but dates for local PRIDE events and celebrations are already being announced. Mark your calendars and watch for more. OutWords will keep growing an updated list in future issues and on Forward701.org.
North Dakota Pride, June 12–14, ND Capitol Grounds, hosted by Dakota Out Right
Minot Pride Festival, August 21–23, 2026, Minot, hosted by Magic City Equality
Get your events in OutWords!
OutWords is scheduled to publish on the third Tuesday of each month. If you’d like to have your event highlighted, send the information to forward701network@gmail.com before noon on the second Fridays of each month. But earlier than that is much better for our planning and yours! Your event will also be listed on the statewide calendar curated by Forward701.org.
Calls to Action
Trans Day of Visibility: Take action in your community.
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026, is National Trans Day of Visibility, a day set aside each year to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people while also drawing attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces compared to cisgender (non-transgender) people.
OutWords needs YourWords!
This new endeavor for connecting and creating community by informing queer North Dakota is a new and growing effort. That effort needs you. If you’d like to help create original content by being a regular or occasional writer, contributor, or volunteer, please let us know! Contact forward701network@gmail.com and let us know how you can offer some skill, talent, and time.
In Case You Missed It
Park Service erases 'transgender' on Stonewall website, uses the term 'LGB'
Immigration has dominated the national headlines. But a year ago, this headline from NPR was clear evidence that the president and his new administration were serious about implementing the anti-trans and LGBTQ+ rhetoric heard on the campaign trail and in President Trump's inaugural address.
By summer, the Park Service also removed “bisexuals” from the Stonewall website, causing our queer fam to wonder what letter might be erased next. Watch this space as OutWords is committed to keeping you updated on the status of queer rights in our state and across the country.
https://www.npr.org/2025/02/14/g-s1-48923/stonewall-monument-transgender-park-service
https://www.them.us/story/stonewall-national-monument-trump-trans-pride-flags