Emmy Award Winner Leslie Jordan to Headline Local Event Supporting LGBTQ Programs in Northwest Arkansas

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Leslie Jordan, an Emmy Award-winning actor and playwright known for roles in shows and movies such as Will & Grace, Sordid Lives, American Horror Story, The Help and Designing Women, will take the stage in Fayetteville Friday, Nov. 11. The special one-night only performance headlines Northwest Arkansas Equality Night, an event supporting programs and resources for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community of Benton and Washington counties. There will also be special appearances by Trey O'Dell and Miss America Savvy Shields.

The Northwest Arkansas Center for Equality, Arkansas' largest nonprofit serving LGBTQ residents and advocating for full equality, began hosting the annual event 10 years ago as a community celebration for LGBTQ people and allies while also raising critical dollars for important programs — from free HIV testing and peer support groups to the region's annual Pride celebration. This year, NWA Equality is teaming up with the Arkansas Alumni Association's PRIDE Alumni Society to benefit new scholarships for University of Arkansas students passionate about LGBTQ issues.

Jordan will perform his one-man show, "Straight Outta Chattanooga" in the Arkansas Union's Verizon Ballroom on the University of Arkansas campus. A silent auction and community presentation at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House will precede Jordan's performance. Five percent of profit from the event and auction will benefit the Arkansas Alumni Association scholarship fund.

Tickets are now available for $30-$50 on the NWA Equality website, www.nwaequality.org. The Arkansas Alumni Association is providing a limited number of seats to current University of Arkansas students for free. Students can pick up vouchers on a first-come, first-serve basis through Nov. 8 at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

Equality Night is presented by Walmart and made possible by sponsorships. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring the event and/or donating items for the silent auction should call Susan Hartman at 479-966-9014 or email info@nwaequality.org.

Walmart Presents NWA Equality Night featuring a special performance by Leslie Jordan

Brought to you by and benefiting NWA Center for Equality and University of Arkansas PRIDE Alumni Association

Friday, Nov. 11

• 6:30-7:45 p.m. Silent auction and welcome reception at Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House (all ticket holders welcome)
• 8:30 p.m. Community celebration and "Straight Outta Chattanooga" performance by Leslie Jordan at Verizon Ballroom in Arkansas Union

Tickets available at www.nwaequality.org

About NWA Center for Equality
The NWA Center for Equality is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which leads a grassroots support and advocacy movement working to achieve full equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community in Northwest Arkansas. More information is available at www.nwaequality.org.

About Arkansas Alumni Association: Often considered a first point-of-contact at the University of Arkansas, the Arkansas Alumni Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to connect alumni, friends and students to the University of Arkansas. The Association is housed in the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House which is strategically situated on campus across from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. For more information, visit www.arkansasalumni.org.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.