In the wake of a Supreme Court ruling allowing businesses to refuse LBGTQ customers and an overall hostility from certain segments of the population, planning for this year’s Pride festival is a little more complex.
Tag: Blue Ridge Pride
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Q&A: Travis Rountree on the history of the LGBTQ+ community in WNC
Since 2019, Travis Rountree, assistant professor of English at Western Carolina University, has worked to help archive Western North Carolina’s LGTBQ+ community.
No violations of local nondiscrimination ordinances found so far
The number of complaints filed under nondiscrimination ordinances with city and county governments has yet to top 25, and it appears that no one has been found in violation of the rules so far. According to public records obtained by Xpress, Asheville had received five complaints as of January, and Buncombe County had gotten 17 as of early March.
Local nonprofit workers discuss pandemic burnout
As the executive director of True Ridge, a Hendersonville-based nonprofit serving Western North Carolina’s Hispanic population, Lori Garcia-McCammon has never had an easy job. Her organization helps survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and refers clients to bilingual mental health counselors. Recent years have been straining, as many of the Central American immigrants her […]
Around town: Pride stays visible with Pack Square art project
Blue Ridge Pride installs art project in Pack Square Park. Plus, Art in Autumn returns to Weaverville, the Southern Highland Craft Guild celebrates Appalachian heritage, and Pan Harmonia plans Asheville concerts.
Biz Briefs: Blue Ridge Pride debuts LGBTQ+ business alliance
Blue Ridge Pride, a nonprofit supporting the LGBTQ community in Western North Carolina, launched an online business directory for LGBTQ-owned and inclusive businesses called the Blue Ridge Pride Business Alliance on June 25. The directory, available at BlueRidgePride.org/Business, includes retail, food and drink, leisure and services and other categories. Businesses listed in the BRPBA directory […]
Healthy pride
Western North Carolina is a health-conscious place, but one that hasn’t always been welcoming for the LGBTQ community. And without health and wellness opportunities that provide care, while also affirming sexuality and gender identity, some LGBTQ folks may not share essential information with their providers or avoid health care settings entirely. Numerous local organizations and […]
Taking Action: Amanda Wray continues to expand local LGBTQ+ archive
Amanda Wray continues to expand the LGBTQIA+ Archive of Western North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Pride Festival rolls out the welcome mat
“I find that, in Western North Carolina, the vast majority of people and institutions at least aspire to be welcoming,” says Blue Ridge Pride Executive Director Tina White.
Screen Scene: Local film news
“The Coup” wins Best Film at the 2019 Asheville 48 Hour Film Project and Blue Ridge Pride screens an Italian comedy at its next Movie & Mixer Summer Film Series event.
Blue Ridge Pride celebrates more than just its annual festival
Fresh off a Supreme Court victory for marriage equality, Blue Ridge Pride Festival 15 has even more to celebrate this year, including new participants and a new status for its sponsor.
Smart bets: LGBT Night with Beth Sacks
Asheville Music Hall hosts the 18+ event on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 9 p.m.
In photos: Blue Ridge Pride Festival
Blue Ridge Pride hosted the annual Pride Festival on Saturday, Oct. 4, in Pack Square. The event was part of four days of Pride activities that included the Miss Blue Ridge Pride Pageant and a performance by comedian Jennie McNulty.
Blue Ridge Pride Festival focuses on marriage, family and fun
Blue Ridge Pride’s Yvonne Cook-Riley estimates that 35-40 percent of attendees at Pack Square Park for the organization’s festival on Saturday, Oct. 4, will be straight allies. That is, people who identify as heterosexual but back their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning friends and family. What accounts for such strong support of […]
This weekend on a shoestring
As always, Xpress brings you the best in low-cost weekend events.
Blue Ridge Pride: There’s new hope for an LGBT Community Center in Asheville
As hopes of a progressive North Carolina crumble into ruin, there is renewed interest in an LGBT community center in the city that, two years ago, a state senator dubbed “the cesspool of sin” because of its domestic-partner registry.
This weekend on a shoestring
This weekend offers juggling, arts and crafts, animals and more. As always, Xpress brings you the best in low-budget entertainment.
PHOTOS: Blue Ridge Pride celebrates love, draws large crowd
With rainbow pride flags tied to light posts and booths set up all over Pack Square Park, the Blue Ridge Pride festival returned for its third year to celebrate the LGBTQ community. Hundreds showed up for the event that lasted from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Blue Ridge Pride: Mayor has signed proclamation
Yesterday, it looked like tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting would see a conflict over a proclamation recognizing the Blue Ridge Pride festival. This afternoon, however, an announcement from Blue Ridge Pride claims Mayor Terry Bellamy has agreed to sign a proclamation recognizing the event.
E-mails reveal how Blue Ridge Pride proclamation made it to Council agenda
An e-mail exchange released by Asheville City Council member Bill Russell reveals new details about how a proclamation recognizing the Oct. 1 Blue Ridge Pride festival made it onto Council’s agenda for its Sept. 27 meeting. In the exchange, Mayor Terry Bellamy, who has not given the festival a standard mayoral proclamation, notes that she will place it on the new business portion of the agenda. Russell says he hoped for a standard proclamation instead of a contentious vote.
Asheville City Council faces showdown over Blue Ridge Pride proclamation
City proclamations aren’t typically a point of controversy, but the Asheville City Council meeting tomorrow, Sept. 27, will see an exception. A proclamation recognizing the Blue Ridge Pride festival is on the New Business portion of the agenda, as Mayor Terry Bellamy refused to endorse it.