OutWords V1, Issue 3
Welcome to OutWords!
Maybe now more than ever
Break out the rainbows; it’s almost June! But it’s June 2026, and for many in our LGBTQ+ community, it feels far from a time to celebrate. Especially here in North Dakota.
The progress of more than 50 years of LGBTQ+ liberation and equality is eroding as they are actively being attacked on many fronts. There is an active and coordinated effort to erase trans people and any identity that does not neatly fit into a strict male/female binary. North Dakota lawmakers have already cemented this into law. This is an issue for the entire queer alphabet. We’ve already seen through the reversal of reproductive rights that we should not take marriage equality for granted, or that other hard-fought rights are safe in the various halls of power.
The freedom to be who we are is at stake.
In the midst of Pride events each year, someone will raise a voice and say, “Pride is still a protest!” While no one disagrees, everyone usually goes back to the party.
The June 28, 1969, Stonewall uprising was a pivotal moment. Not just a rebellion against police harassment along New York’s Christopher Street, but a raw and emotional citizen protest against the systemic violence and oppression in a supposedly free society. A year later, a march in honor and memory of the event. And the next year and year after year until today. PROTEST. HONOR. MEMORIAL. These are all at the root of why we have Pride. It is a glorious celebration of who we are and the progress made. Pride is, indeed, a party because a radical celebration of all our alphabet identities is, in itself, a protest! Yet, in this current moment of backlash, regression, and burgeoning fascism, we must not stop there. Too much is on the line.
So what can you do? There are so many opportunities. But here are two that may be the most timely:
VOTE! The second week of Pride Month includes the North Dakota Primary Election on June 9. Many often blow this one off, but please don’t! Local leaders for cities, counties, and school boards will be elected across the state on that day. While often not making the biggest headlines, these are the leaders who make the decisions that most impact individual daily lives. Remember, just one seat on a school board could be the difference in a decision banning an LGBTQ+ book. Educate yourself on the candidates and measures, and show up at the polls!
BE KIND. To yourself and to others. We are living in incredibly stressful times, and when people are stressed, they can forget about the humanity of others. Part of being kind is also finding unity. The LGBTQ+ community is as varied and diverse as the non-queer community. We are not a monolith. But we must dig deep and find the wherewithal to not behave like those who seek to oppress us. Respect those who disagree. Put yourself in their shoes and see their perspective. You don’t need to agree. You don’t even need to like everyone. But fellow queer folk are not the enemy. Too much division among us distracts us from the serious threats at hand. And we cannot afford to give up any ground in the current fight.
So this June and beyond, remember: Pride is POLITICAL. Pride is PROGRESSIVE. Pride is PIONEERING. Pride is PASSIONATE. Pride is PROTEST.
Get out and VOTE on June 9 for the state-wide primary election and your local elections. Educate yourself with the non-partisan VOTE411 voter guide brought to you by the League of Women Voters of North Dakota.
And make sure you know your voting rights and make a plan to vote by visiting the ACLU of North Dakota’s VOTER HUB.
News & Features
Iceland ranks top in 2026 map of most trans-friendly countries in Europe
The annual Trans Rights Index and Map, which comes from Transgender Europe, documents the protections and opportunities available for trans and non-binary people within each European and Central Asian country. Read about it in PinkNews.
Donald Trump forced Erica Vandal out of the military. So she’s fighting back.
“I’m hoping the institution and its doctrine and its traditions and lineage in history is enough to weather this increase in partisanship.” Read about it in LGBTQ Nation.
Republicans tried to make a proposed women’s museum transphobic. Democrats put a stop to it.
Democratic women led the charge to keep transphobia out of the Smithsonian Women’s Museum. Read about it in LGBTQ Nation.
Opinions & Columns
Letter: Fargo-Cass Syringe Services Program is not a political issue, it’s a public health issue
"The evidence is overwhelming: SSPs do not increase drug use or crime," writes Fargo pharmacist Oliver Frenzel.
Events & Announcements
Upcoming Prides & LGBTQIA2S+ Events
Fargo-Moorhead
June 1 - FM Pride Stakeholders Meeting
August 5-9 - Fargo-Moorhead Pride Festival
Visit https://fmpride.org/ for more information.
Grand Forks
September - Grand Forks Pride (TBD)
Visit https://www.facebook.com/GFOUTandPROUD/ for more information.
Bismarck
June 12th-14 - Capital City Pride
12 - Pride Mixer — plant exchange, mocktails & Pride Bingo.
13 - Vendor Show
14 - Interfaith Service & Community Potluck.
Visit https://dakotaoutright.org/ for more information.
Minot
June 6 - Pre-Pride Pride Picnic
June 7 - Drag Bingo
August 21-23 - Minot Pride Festival
Visit https://www.magiccityequality.com/ for more information.
Crosby
June 28 - 2nd Annual Crosby Pride
Jamestown
August 29
Williston
June 20th
Visit https://www.facebook.com/willistonrainbowrendezvous for more information.
Winnipeg
May 26 - June 7 Pride Winnipeg
Detroit Lakes
Fergus Falls
Twin Cities
June 27 & 28 - Twin Cities Pride
Duluth
September 3-6 - Duluth Superior Pride
Sioux Falls
June 13 - Sioux Falls Pride
Black Hills
June 6 &13 - Black Hills Equality
Billings
June 20 - 406 Pride
North Dakota
Trans Equity Training w/ Gender Justice and The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Join us virtually on Friday, June 5 from 12 - 1:15 PM CT
Calls to Action
Help support the local pride organizations that make all these wonderful events possible!
FM Pride
Vendor and Parade registrations: https://www.eventeny.com/events/fmpridefestival-27729
Sponsor: https://fmpride.org/become-a-sponsor/
Bismarck
https://dakotaoutright.org/#involved
Minot
Volunteer: https://www.magiccityequality.com/volunteer
Grand Forks
gfoutandproud@gmail.com
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
US Supreme Court sends North Dakota tribal redistricting case back for review
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ordered an appeals court to reconsider a North Dakota tribal redistricting case under new legal standards set in the high court’s recent Voting Rights Act ruling.
The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Spirit Lake Nation, and three tribal citizens filed the lawsuit against the North Dakota Legislature in 2022, arguing that its new legislative map shifted district lines in a way that diluted tribal representation. The tribes filed the case under Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act, which outlaws racially discriminatory voting practices.
Read the full article by Mary Steurer in the North Dakota Monitor.