Stonewall commemoration and Trans Pride Week June 25-July 3

PRESS RELEASE FROM TRANZMISSION:

Local organizations Tranzmission, QORDS and COLAGE, in association with the Asheville JCC, are proud to announce this year’s Stonewall Commemoration Week events, running from June 25th to July 3rd 2016. The Stonewall riots marked the kickoff of the modern day queer rights movement and were primarily initiated by trans feminine people of color, who have often been ignored or left behind by the mainstream gay rights movement. This marks the 15th year of Asheville’s observance of the Stonewall Commemoration and Trans Pride.

Founded on April 1st, 2001, Tranzmission is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to making the lives of transgender, gender variant, non-binary and genderqueer individuals healthier, happier and safer through education, advocacy and support. Affiliated projects include the Transformers Support Group and the Tranzmission Prison Books Project. Tranzmission is funded entirely by donations and fundraisers.

QORDS (Queer Oriented Radical Days of Summer) is a nonprofit overnight summer camp for queer and trans youth and youth of LGBTQ families. By empowering Southern queer & trans youth and building community through music, QORDS is a vehicle for expressing gender and sexuality, and harbors an environment of self-discovery and social change.

COLAGE unites people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer parents into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities.

At the JCC, all are welcome to share in Jewish traditions, values and culture. Our JCC has been the home for Jewish life in Western North Carolina since 1940, and today we continue to be a vibrant and diverse community of people. The Asheville JCC strengthens Jewish identity, celebrates Jewish culture and builds community through a wide variety of programs for people from all backgrounds, at every stage of life. The Asheville JCC hosts programs such as LGBTJew where we create inclusive LGBTQ programming that aims to be safe for everyone.

Schedule of Events:

• Stonewall Spaghetti & Storytellers
Saturday, June 25th @ 4pm, JCC
Join us for some an incredible spaghetti dinner (with vegan options!) as local queer- and trans-identified speakers share stories at once empowering, heartbreaking and life-affirming. Donations accepted at the door, $15 suggested.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1295175147177726/

• Transformers & COLAGE Support Group & Workshop
Sunday, June 26th @ 7pm, Kairos West
We know that individual and collective identities are the ground on which our communities are built on. Our first session will give youth tools to talk about who we are and and what our families look, sound and feel like in an affirming and supportive environment. Each participant will share their story and listen to other COLAGErs share their similar or completely unique experiences in LGBTQ+ families.
https://www.facebook.com/events/149129452159378/

• Stonewall Week Book Club
Monday, June 27th @ 7pm, Malaprops
Join our hosts the lovely Melanie McNair and Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe as we discuss “Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights,” by Ann Bausum
https://www.facebook.com/events/1774055889483887/

• Transformers present Art Up!
Tuesday June 28th, 7pm, Kairos West
A monthly Transformers event, ART UP seeks to bring queer and trans identified artists in WNC together!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1742077532716514/

• Film Screening: QUEER MOXIE
Wednesday June 29th, 7pm, Grail Movie House
Featuring comedians, drag kings and queens, spoken word artists and burlesque dancers, Queer Moxie is a behind the scenes look into queer performance art from the fringe to the mainstream. By showing out and dreaming big, queer artists have entertained and inspired audiences, once not able to see themselves onstage. Featuring interviews, archival and performance footage, Queer Moxie presents a glimpse of those that have queered the stage and ignited social change.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1723178134620037/

• Singer-Songwriter’s Night
Thursday, June 30th, 5pm, The BLOCK Off Biltmore
An evening of local queer- and trans-identified singer-songwriters, including Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, Aerin Blue and Brynn Estelle. Donations will be taken at the door, $5 recommended.
https://www.facebook.com/events/600950783408123/

• All-Ages Punk Show Fundraiser
Friday, July 1st @ 7pm, Firestorm Coffee & Books
How better to support great local organizations such as Tranzmission, Girls Rock Asheville, QORDS and COLAGE than an all-ages punk rock show at your friendly neighborhood anarchist book store? The answer: there is no better way.
Featuring CLOUDGAYZER, Brynn Estelle & Her Band and MORE! Donations accepted at the door, $5 recommended.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1020950047994327/

• Stonewall Commemoration Day Party
Saturday, July 2nd @ 9pm, O’Henry’s
A fantastic night of drag, burlesque and music to benefit Tranzmission, QORDS and COLAGE. A guaranteed good time, but be warned: It might get filthy.
Featuring your favorite local queer artists at your fave bar in town. Featuring performances by wWAYLON, Royal Skyyy, Tomorrow Mayhem, Princess Perfect, Iggy Ingler and Erma God! Followed by a radical dance party with DJ Abu Disarray!! Donations accepted at the door, $7 recommended
https://www.facebook.com/events/186749851721777/

• Pool Party & Ice Cream Social
Sunday, July 3rd @ 4pm, Asheville JCC
We’re concluding Pride Week ’16 with ice cream and a pool party at the Asheville JCC. a trans, nonbinary and queer friendly event to support your friends at Tranzmission, QORDS, the JCC’s LGBTQJew and COLAGE.
RSVP to LGBTQJew@gmail.com with name of self and guests by July 2nd
https://www.facebook.com/events/222875754762892/