By Dakota Parks for Inweekly In 1950s America, being yourself could cost you everything. That tension sits at the heart of “Perfect Arrangement,” the current Studio 400 production at Pensacola Little Theatre. Written by Topher Payne, the play offers a look at life during the Lavender Scare, when queer federal employees were deemed national security threats. Concurrent with the anti-Communist Red Scare, this government-led moral panic forced thousands of LGBTQ+ federal employe

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly If you think the library is just for borrowing books, you’re missing out. West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL) have become some of the most versatile public spaces in our community—part classroom, part creative studio, part community center, and yes, still a great place to find your next read. “Our vision is to be the heart of our diverse community, and we are proud to provide a welcoming and inviting space where everyone is welcome to learn, disc

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly Open mics are where a community finds its voice, bringing poets, writers, comedians, musicians and neighbors together under one roof. Pensacola Poetry, the city’s longest-running open mic, has done just that for nearly two decades, weathering venue closures, a pandemic and the passing of the torch from longtime hosts. From End of the Line Cafe to Sluggo’s, Constant Coffee to Subculture and the Pensacola Liberation Center, Pensacola Poetry has call

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly At a time when transgender people face constant attacks on their rights, from passports to healthcare to housing, it can be hard to leave room for joy. That’s why, for the past eight years, Strive has been hosting TransFest: a multi-day celebration of trans joy and trans lives, including Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors those lost to anti-transgender violence. This year, TransFest will take place Nov. 19-23. For board member Indigo Let

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly Often, words alone can’t capture every feeling. That’s when artist and illustrator Adrian Sparrow turns to their sketchbook—pages filled with hot sauce tears, ghost cats and the manifestation of death. A lifelong lover of comics, Sparrow has always found comfort in combining art and storytelling. But it wasn’t until both of their parents passed away that drawing became a lifeline and an outlet to remember, connect and process grief. A graduate of

A Community-Sourced Reading List for Pride Month

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly Pensacola’s history is written in the sky. As the home of the nation’s first naval air station, it has...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly Jonathan Fink’s poetry doesn’t just speak—it transports you. His latest collection, “Don’t Do It—We Love...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly Viewing the world through photographer Ben Depp’s lens can make the natural landscape feel alien and...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly It’s a Saturday night at Pensacola’s new queer bar, and chaos is part of the charm. Laughter erupts as fog...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly Punk isn’t just music; it’s a way of life, a DIY community and an incubator for radical creativity. Artist,...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly Artist Cameron Dykzeul has always been a nature enthusiast. After moving here from the Pacific Northwest, he...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly If the state of the world ever makes you feel like a feral animal backed in a corner baring your teeth, then...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly For the past 12 years, Stamped Film Festival has been a beacon of LGBTQ+ storytelling in the South, offering...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly Ariel Mahler is an award-winning writer and director whose work explores the emotional and messy...