OutWords V1, Issue 4
Welcome to OutWords!
BEST PRIDE MONTH EVER!
“BEST PRIDE MONTH EVER!” This was overheard being exclaimed in a sea of people at an election night watch party in Fargo on June 9, 2026, as the numbers made it clear that State Senator Josh Boschee would soon become Mayor Boschee.
Josh is not a stranger in queer NoDak. Some first got to know him years ago when he was part of writing an “Area Voices” blog called “The Gay Agenda.” More widely, people were introduced to him as the first openly gay member elected to the North Dakota Legislature. Since then, many simply know him as a good and sincere human and public servant who has been an effective legislator for his district, for North Dakota citizens, and for the queer community.
While Josh’s election is notable as the first known openly gay mayor in Fargo (and in the state), what may be more notable is that this was not the headline as news of his victory broke. In fact, Josh’s queerness did not seem to even be noted during the campaign. Those who have the fortitude to scroll social media comments noted that blatant homophobia was nearly non-existent in posts, even by the most notorious trolls. Was he called “liberal” and a “Democrat” intended as an insult? Yes. But gay. Not really. At least not in any notable spaces.
While the struggle for the LGBTQ+ community is very real in the current political and cultural climate, we need to take a breath and celebrate that a member of our community was elected by the people of Fargo to be the leader of their city with nearly 50% of the vote in a 5-way race. Josh will become mayor because voters showed up. Voters decided Josh was the most qualified candidate because of proven leadership and results. Voters saw that Josh is a young, compassionate leader with vision and passion and who loves his city. And Josh’s queerness was not an issue of the campaign—as a pro or a con.
PRIDE just got a little more PROUD this year. Despite the struggles we continue to face, we also have proof of progress and that must be acknowledged and celebrated.
CONGRATS Josh! Queer North Dakota is PROUD of you already.
Now get to work and make us even more PROUD! 😉❤️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
News & Features
Congratulations to FM Pride!
Late last fall the planning committee for the annual Pride in Fargo-Moorhead took the first steps in realizing one of their long term goals: becoming a nonprofit organization. Since its founding in 2001, FM Pride has always been under an umbrella organization. But in recent years it became evident that the growth of their annual work and events had led to an expanding list of compelling reasons to take the next logical steps as an independent organization. After months of work following incorporation with the State of North Dakota, Pride Month in Fargo-Moorhead was kicked off with an open community meeting where bylaws were adopted and a board of directors was elected. The model FM Pride has adopted is one of strong low barrier community ownership centered in transparency and queer leadership which strives for the inclusive voices and participation of all the letters of the queer alphabet. This summer FM Pride is celebrating 25 years of consistent and official annual Pride events in Fargo-Moorhead AND the first year of a new chapter for Pride in their community and beyond.
PFlag has returned to North Dakota! This time to the capital city!
This resource is still developing, so please watch for updates to come.
6 incumbent North Dakota lawmakers ousted in GOP primary
Six incumbent North Dakota legislators lost in Republican primary races Tuesday, including Rep. Jeff Hoverson and Rep. Bill Tveit, two lawmakers who championed culture war issues in recent sessions
Community is key for LGBTQ+ North Dakotans, says suicide prevention advocate
While general sentiment among queer North Dakotans has improved, many still walk a thin line, says Faye Seidler.
Note: Unfortunately, this article may be behind a paywall. OutWords seeks to share content that is accessible to all, however this is not always possible when it comes to some news sources providing coverage of issues we find important to share. This article was published by Forum Communications and can be accessed with login to any of their publications including InForum,Grand Forks Herald, The Jamestown Sun, The Dickinson Press. Williston Herald, and Wahpeton Daily News.
The FCC is considering trans content warnings for TV shows. Adding them would be pure propaganda.
The administration has already flooded the zone with misinformation about trans people. This warning will further stigmatize the community.
Opinions & Columns
Honoring LGBTQ+ Lives in Tumultuous Times: Pride in 2026
Dr. Kristen Benson was a leader in the queer Fargo-Moorhead queer community during the years she taught at NDSU and is now on faculty at Virgina Tech. .In this blog post published by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Dr. Benson states that queer and trans joy is revolutionary while encouraging mental health professionals to recognize Pride as both a celebration of resilience and a call to action by creating inclusive therapeutic spaces, confronting discrimination, and supporting clients and communities through ongoing uncertainty and hostility.
I tried meeting homophobes 'in the middle.' This Pride, I'm through
Opinion: After the 2016 election, writer Josh Ackley tried to find some middle ground with far-right fanatics. That strategy proved to be folly, he argues.
The celebration of Black joy during Pride Month reminds us of our beauty & power
LGBTQ+ people of African descent use Black Pride events not only to celebrate, but also to define and advance their own priorities.
Events & Announcements
Building Trans Equity: Tools for Talking and Taking Action
Friday, July 31, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM CT
This interactive workshop, co-hosted by North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and Gender Justice, will provide participants with practical tools, stories, and strategies to build understanding and support for transgender equity. Together, we'll explore how to talk about trans rights in ways that foster empathy and connection, push back against misinformation, and inspire others to take meaningful action. Participants will leave with concrete skills to advocate for inclusive policies and help create schools, workplaces, and communities where all people can thrive.
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.