This would be a Diversity Weekend like no other. We had planned a fun run for the summer, due to the heat, but just over a month after the Domestic Partnership Registry (DPR) was voted in by the Eureka Springs City Council, the Jericho Riders, a Christian Motorcycle Club, would be there to protest it. Telling everyone that Eureka Springs was going to Satan. Of course, the rumors were abound, especially since the Hell's Angels were in Eureka Springs a week before.

     One rumor was that there was going to be over a hundred Jericho Riders in town. The other was the Badidos were coming to town to confront them, as some did the previous week with the Hell's Angels, their archrivals. OK, for one, why would the Badidos or Hell's Angels care about the Jericho Riders coming to town? There have been several Christian and other biker groups in Eureka Springs through out the year. besides, I rode all around town when the Hell's Angels were in town with no issues. 

     I arrived  on Friday to help setup for the Princess Mixer. I had to trailer the bike, because I was hauling sound equipment and luggage for Donna and I. Of course I missed riding the bike, especially since I saw this really hot chic with a tank top that said, "That's right, I'm a lesbian, so what!" My kind of woman. Arriving at Caribe, unloading the sound equipment, and waiting for my fellow rider to arrive.

     After getting ready at our hotel, Carolyn's,  I would put my Pride Flags on the bike and ride downtown to do some recon on the Jericho Riders. They were doing a prayer walk, so I expected to see hundreds of them walking down Main or Spring Street. As I rode downtown, I saw the usual crowd. No Jericho Riders on Main Street, so I decided to ride up Spring. Ah, there they are. A hundred of them, minus about 95 of them. They were doing a prayer circle and barely gave me a glance. So I rode up to the top of the hill, then back town. This time stopping to give a glance and a smile of my own.

     Off to the Princess Mixer. There I would get to meet a lot of new people from all over the place. Some back from City Hall after registering. It was also great to see old friends as well. I especially enjoyed meeting bikers who came down and up from all over. Especially Marsha, Tammy, and Jean Marie. Donna would be attending as a rider this year to, since last Diversity Weekend, she bought a bike. Her wife and Her have been great riding buddies ever since. Later, Donna and I would check out Eureka Live, then for the customary Chocolate Martini at Henri's. That night, we would take a late night, OK, early morning swim at the hotel.

     Getting up to get ready for a 10 AM brunch with the Diversity Bikers was rough, but my excitement got me going. Donna, Jean Marie, and I would ride to the restaurant. Tammy and Marsha were already there. We had a wonderful British transplant via Canada waitress, who made the brunch all that more enjoyable. We would start our impromptu ride around town at 11 AM. We rode through town and around to Beaver Bridge. We stopped to take pictures. Donna found another group riding that day to take pictures of us, so we took pictures of us in front of the bridge.

     We arrived in front of Basin Park in time to see a couple hundred DPR supporters with the same small group of Jericho Riders I saw the night before. We took pictures and joined the people who finished the PDA or Public Display of Affection minutes before.  The band also played, "What is God Were One of Us." It was quite fitting for the display of humanity in a small park in Eureka Springs. Everyone seems quite comfortable with each other, despite their differences, including the Jericho Riders.

     Off to the Swim Party at the hotel .Since it was about 95 degrees outside, we all were looking forward to a cool swim. I must admit, I was quite apprehensive about attending, since this would be my first Woman's Swim Party, but I was pleasantly surprised. I felt I was in the right place. No judgments, no drama, just woman enjoying each others company. I actually felt apart of it all, especially since I have felt like I didn't belong in either gender. I am woman, watch me splash.

     The Tulsa group would arrive at about 2:30 PM, but I must admit, I got so caught up in cooling off, I forgot. No problem, Marsha, Tammy, and I would get ready to join them after they ate dinner.  We waited, but figured they found something fun to do. Jean Marie seemed to have something planned as well, since she looked like she was headed out shopping. They all had nice bikes, as did Marsha and Tammy. Marsha, Tammy, and I decided to take a ride out to the damn. We rode out to the damn, took pictures, then stopped at Riverview for some cool refreshments. Then for dinner at Angler's Inn, which Debra Rose had begged me to check out for sometime. The dinner was great, and Tammy and Marsha were great company.

      When we arrived back at the hotel, we noticed our new friend, Jean Marie, had departed. I really missed saying good-bye to her.  She made a Zebra motorcycle, which was impressive on multiple levels, especially sine  I know so many gender variants who give up parts of their inner being to be who they are, she was definitely a talented artist. I would say my good-byes to Tammy and Marsha as well, because I would miss them leaving in the morning. I really enjoyed their company and getting to know them.

      The night was young, so I got ready to attend the party of Caribe, not knowing how much sun I had really got. Pink dress to throw off the people who saw me in biker garb all weekend would do the trick. Donna was spinning the tunes, Deb and Linda were smoozing, and I was taking an opportunity to educate and get to know people. I found myself in a slight daze, due to the amount of sun I received sun during to rides and a few hours at the pool. I was to go check at the Collide Dance, but didn't find the energy to go. I was sorry I missed DJ Rob.

       Donna and I would get the sound equipment packed up and got the Henri's just before last call. We had, you guest it, a chocolate martini. Meeting several friends there, we decided to have breakfast with a group of woman friends. Again, I enjoyed their company. In the early morning hours, I would get home and take one last early morning swim.

       Up the next morning, pack, and take a ride to breakfast with Norma and Stephanie. Norma is a great artist using chalk and pencil who was showing in the beer garden in front of Eureka Live. Donna and I decided to join them downtown for a bit. I really enjoyed talking and getting to know them more. Donna and I ended up giving them rides. Norma with Donna and Stephanie with me. We gave them a tour of Eureka Springs via motorcycle. We had a great time giving them rides and they had a great time on them. Norma gave me on of her prints, which I felt so special. I have it hanging in my house now.

       Back to the hotel to pick up my truck. This time, Donna would trailer her bike and I would ride my bike back. Another great Diversity Weekend. Looking for the next in the Fall. Thanks to everyone, especially Deb and Linda, for putting on these events for all of us to enjoy. Special thanks to KJ, Sparky, Kevin, Dwayne, and Sonny.

For more info send email to bikers@diversitypride.com with BIKERS in the subject line and Joney will get back to you as soon as possible.  More details will be posted to www.DiversityPride.com as soon as possible.