CALL TO ACTION: Jasmine Beach-Ferrara addresses the crowd at a protest of the new state law that bans local attempts to ease discrimination against LGBT individuals. Ivy Hill holds the megaphone. Photo by Able Allen

Coalition of LGBT rights-advocate groups protest new state law

As a rain cloud darkened the sky above Asheville and the wind assaulted unfurled rainbow flags, a storm of anger from the LGBT and allied communities erupted as a crowd of about 300 protesters convened at the Vance Monument in downtown Asheville late Thursday Afternoon. The outpouring of frustration and dissatisfaction stemmed directly from the passage […]

Making history: Jasmine Beach-Ferrara to become first openly gay Buncombe County Commission­er

With her win in the District 1 Democratic primary, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara is slated to become the first openly LGBT Buncombe County Commissioner. To get there, she had strong competition from City Councilman Gordon Smith and from another civil rights activist, Isaac Coleman. Since no Republican filed to run for the District 1 seat, Beach-Ferrara is almost certain to take office in the fall after the General Election.

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Democrat (Running unopposed) jasmineforbuncombe.org Place of residence: Asheville Occupation: Executive director, Campaign for Southern Equality Political experience: I have been active as an organizer and volunteer on Democratic campaigns and civil rights campaigns since 2004. Endorsements: Buncombe County Association of Educators; Western North Carolina Central Labor Council; Equality NC; The Sierra Club of […]