Joe LaFountaine is currently serving as secretary of Little Rock Capital Pride and has brought not only a wealth of knowledge of pride events to Little Rock from his experiences in Atlanta, but he also has tons of energy and drive to make the 2007 event the best one yet.

Joe said he grew up in and around Jacksonville and went to high school in Vilonia. He just moved back home to Arkansas in May and now lives in Bryant.
Joe is currently on disability “(was diagnosed with AIDS a year ago) and soul-searching as to what I want to do in the future” he said.

We asked Joe how he'd been involved with the GLBT community?

“I have been involved in several AIDS service organizations going back to RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network) in the early ‘90s, volunteered in various pride events, organized a group from Monroe, La., that went to the March on Washington in 1993, have been active in the past with the Human Rights Campaign and political organizations such as Georgia Equality and most recently serving as secretary on the Little Rock Capital Pride board.”

What are your thoughts on coming out, advice to others, etc.?

“Coming out is SO important and isn't a one-time event. I know personally I still struggle with how and when to tell people in my life both that I am gay and that I am HIV-positive. Honestly, this profile itself will be “outing” myself to a lot of people, but I believe that it is the best way to change people's mindsets and stereotypes.

“There is a psychological term called “cognitive dissonance” which basically means that it causes someone grief to hold conflicting ideals; so if I love someone and I believe that being gay is wrong and I find out they are gay then I am forced to reconcile this conflict. It is my experience that love wins out over prejudice.”

What do you see in the near future and long-range for gay rights/equality?

“There is an ancient Chinese curse that says ‘May you live in interesting times.' We are most certainly living in such times for the gay rights movement. In the near future, we will continue to be fighting the good fight and suffering setbacks as well as victories. One of my favorite quotes is by Dr. Martin Luther King that says, ‘Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed.' Long-term as more gays and lesbian stand up and demand our place at the table, we will be ‘FREE AT LAST!'”

Profiles in Pride questions:

Date and place of birth?
June 2, 1970 in Jacksonville

What is your favorite food?
Italian and Colombian

What food will you not eat?
I will usually try anything once.

What is the best job you've ever had?
I was a product manager for a major content management software company and got to travel a lot and live in places like Atlanta, Chicago and New York City

What is your dream job?
I guess my dream job would be running an ASO or gay rights organization

If you didn't have to work, what would you do with all of your time?
Ironically enough, I am in that position now; so I guess I would throw myself into volunteering with Little Rock Capital Pride.

Who do you admire most (living or dead)?
Wow—so many people I couldn't begin to list, but in general, those people that endure hardships for the greater good.

Who would you lunch with if you could have anyone (living or dead)?
Greg Louganis—Anybody have a number for him?

Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
I've been so fortunate to have some truly awesome people in my life, the women in my family, my exes Richard and Frank, my friends Brian, Carlos and  Jessica are but a few.

What one thing would you not have done if you could go back in time?
There is a line in an old gospel song that goes, “I wouldn't take nothin' for my journey now” — mistakes and all

What one thing would you have done if you could go back in time?
Been bold enough to tell more people what they meant to me when I had the chance.

What is your favorite word?
Groovy

Least favorite word?
Irregardless----NOT a word, people!

Favorite curse word?
Rhymes with FiretrUCK

What turns you on?
Realness

What turns you off?
Bitchiness

What word would others use to describe you?
Hopefully funny—but I have heard less flattering

What word sums you up?
Well-intentioned (I know….the road to hell is paved with….)