By Dakota Parks for Inweekly In a time when so much of life happens online, Books By The Bay is bringing readers and writers back together the old-fashioned way: face to face, books in hand. What began as a modest idea for a community book fair has quickly grown into the largest literary event in Northwest Florida. This spring, Books By The Bay returns for its third year, drawing more than 150 authors, dozens of performances and hundreds of book lovers for a full day celebrat

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly For many families in Pensacola, support just got a little closer to home. With the launch of PFLAG Pensacola, long-needed resources are now available to LGBTQ+ individuals, their families and allies throughout the city and across Northwest Florida. At the center of that effort is Lee Poteat, who was brought on as the chapter’s president after relocating to the area in 2025. Before moving to Pensacola, Poteat and his husband lived in Rome, Ga., whe

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

Safer Streets for All: Concerned Pensacola residents speaking out

Safer Streets for All: Concerned Pensacola residents speaking out

Safer Streets for All: Concerned Pensacola residents speaking out

Safer Streets for All: Concerned Pensacola residents speaking out

A Personal Essay by Dakota Parks ✨ Health update, ramblings of a tired, worn-down poet exploring her garden, and a little personal essay...

A Community-Sourced Reading List for Pride Month

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly There’s a lot to be angry—and scared—about this Pride month. As corporate companies quietly abandon DEI...

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly When it comes to fighting for change, Angelique Godwin doesn’t take “no” for an answer. She just works harder. Whether she’s studying for her doctorate, performing a drag routine at Cabaret, delivering a keynote speech, marching in the streets or lobbying at the Florida State Capitol for queer and transgender rights, you’ll most likely find her boots—or high heels—on the ground, working to uplift trans-led organizations and the communities they se