In response to an endless barrage of hellfire and brimstone on the second day of Bele Chere, Asheville residents Jeremy Carter and Hillary Frye (dressed as Batgirl, ‘natch) hoist a big gay rainbow flag in front of the Vance Monument on Pack Square. Photo by Michael Muller
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These fascist Baptists are destroying everyone’s good time at Bele Chere. I can’t believe they are allowed to express hate-speech at a family event. Get off the internet people and get out there to drown their hate-crimes out! I’ve been there all morning – just home from heat exhaustion now but I’ll be back again tonight! It’s well worth it to speak up against intolerance and fascism! It has no place at Bele Chere!
Rally tonight at Pack Square 8PM! Freedom Freaks vs. Fascists Pigs! Come as you are Asheville!
I’m sick and tired of all the right wing Bible thumpers telling the rest of the world how it should live. Why don’t you’all worry about your soul and let me worry about mine. No, i’m not gay, but I don’t have to be to respect their right to live happy, joyous and free of discrimination. Hate is Hate no matter how you dress it up.
Thanks to everyone for your kind words, support and hugs this afternoon, and a special shout out to everyone who stopped for a few minutes to help hoist the flag. It warmed my heart and reinforced what an amazing town we live in. And if just one person struggling with their sexuality was dismayed by the words of the preacher then felt a bit of hope when they saw the love I was receiving, it was worth it.
PS: Thanks to the guy who informed me I was holding the flag upside-down. Though the red, orange and yellow went better with my skin tone, I did flip the flag soon after this photo was taken. ;-)
Good job, Jeremy!