CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Akasha Lapre Karmichael came bounding into the Pride offices Saturday, looking a bit run down, but still all smiles. The night before, he'd won the Miss Rainbow Pride of West Virginia pageant, a drag competition held at the Clay Center as part of Gay Pride Week in Charleston. "We didn't get home until four this morning," ... Read more and watch the video at wvgazette.com Read More

Dog Show Postponed Due to inclement weather the dog show scheduled for tonight at Ruth Rafferty-Peyton Dog Park has been postponed. The event will now take place this Sunday, June 7, 2009 at Davis Park. The event will start at 11:30 AM and should last just over one hour. All dogs and their owners are permitted to enter: The Categories include: Best Pet Trick Dog of Most Mysterious Heritage Best Senior Dog Best Puppy Best Dog Wear Best in Show Thanks for supporting PRIDE! Read More

Rainbow Pride would like to encourage everyone to bring their cameras to the Pride Parade & Festival on Sunday, June 7.  We will be setting up a gallery here on pridewv.org to display all of your pix from the parade & festival, as well as from other events during Pride Week.  Please submit your photos to contact@pridewv.org Read More

Jim Lewis was born in Baltimore, Maryland.  He is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and Virginia Theological Seminary.  Jim has been actively engaged, over the past 40 years, addressing the social issues in local communities he’s served as an Episcopal clergyperson. Serving churches and dioceses in Maryland, West Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Delaware, he has organized parishes and communities around such issues as health care for women, child care, AIDS, prison and criminal justice issues, capital punishment, antiwar organizing, ... Read More

As every one is well aware Pride is upon us. The Miss pride pageant will be the kick off to our week long celebration on May 29,2009 at the Clay Center. With this being said deadlines have also been set for sponsorship into the Mr and Miss pride competitions. The Miss pride deadline for sponsorship is May the 27, 2009 and the Mr pride deadline for sponsorship is June 3, 2009. If pride has not received your sponsorship form and $150 fee ... Read More

Alright gang! We're 16 days out until the 13th Annual West Virginia Pride Parade and Festival! Get your calendars ready and your hotel reservations booked. Click event banner below for Calendar listing Keep in mind that we have two events that will sell out! Tickets are now available for purchase online and we highly suggest that you reserve your tickets now. Miss Rainbow Pride of West Virginia 2009 The Clay Center, One Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301 May 29th 2009. 6:00pm That's right. Ms RPWV 2009 will be at ... Read More

The Rainbow Report recently sat down to speak with Clayton Stover.  Clayton is a member of the Saint Albans High School class of 2009.  He is the 2nd District Coordinator for the West Virginia Young Democrats and founded the first Young Democrats Club at SAHS.  Last fall, he interned at the Obama headquarters in Charleston.  In April, Clayton addressed the Kanawha County School Board on the issue of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the school system’s cultural diversity policy. Rainbow Report:  ... Read More

Ignition an Mpowerment Project The Project is run by a “Core Group” of 3-5 young gay/bisexual men from the community with the support of paid staff. The Core Group, along with other volunteers, design and carry out all Project activities. The Project has its own physical space where most outreach events and meetings are held. The Project space also serves as a drop-in center where young gay/bisexual men meet and support each other. The Project relies on a set of four integrated activities:   Formal ... Read More

Dear Friends of Pride, With the 2009 Season upon us we are hoping that you might consider donating your time to volunteer at an event this year. Volunteering at a pride event is a great way to make new friends, give back to your community, and provide help to our modest core of volunteers. I do hope you will consider giving your time to help create a better community. Below are the events that are produced by Rainbow Pride of West Virginia. Don't see ... Read More

Friends, Despite the fact that just last week, the House of Representatives passed a transgender inclusive hate crimes Bill (Special thanks to Representatives Rahall and Mollohan), and Despite the fact that last week the Maine State Senate voted out a Marriage equality bill for their state's LGBT community, and Despite the fact that a growing number of Americans support equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, and Despite calls from moderates within the Republican party to ... Read More