Tag: LGBTQ
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Letter writer: Support new resources for local LGBTQ youths
“The young people I am fortunate to know through volunteering at YouthOutright, an organization serving LGBTQ youth in Western North Carolina, may have the most intimate understanding of homophobia’s systemic influence in our culture.”
Asheville’s a welcoming place for LGBTQ youth, but homeless quandary persists
The scarcity of jobs in Asheville, an already difficult job horizon for LGBTQ people, as well as difficult, intolerant home situations often mean unstable housing for these WNC youths. As Asheville becomes more and more an attractive and welcoming place for LGBTQ teens and young adults in the area as well as the country, the influx compounds the homeless situation.
Activists say transgender people still face uphill battle in Asheville
Activists who gathered Thursday night, Nov. 20, during the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TdoR) say there is ongoing danger toward transgender people living in Asheville, and it may not be an issue that is on people’s radar. “There is danger for transgender people living in Asheville. I know of transgender women who have faced danger […]
Fully exposed: Renowned poet Gavin Geoffrey Dillard returns to WNC
If someone was making a movie of Gavin Geoffrey Dillard’s life, Jared Leto would fall all over himself to land the lead role: An Asheville-born artist and writer (Dillard grew up on Sunset Mountain) leaves North Carolina for the bright lights of 1970s Los Angeles. He immerses himself in the excitement and excess of that […]
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 […]
Claim your rights
The DOMA decision creates opportunities for LGBTQ individuals. Pictured: Participants in the Campaign for Southern Equality’s “We Do” action, in which LGBTQ couples request marriage licenses from registry offices throughout the the South. Photo by Max Cooper
Storify: Asheville reacts to DOMA
After the highest court in the land ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, the country erupted in either support or protest. Asheville was no exception. Here’s a roundup of local reactions to the Supreme Court decision. (Photo by Caitlin Byrd)
You don’t have to choose between faith and sexual identity
Pastor Keith Ogden is entitled to his opinions of my LGBTQ brothers, sisters and otherwise-gendered siblings, outlined in his March 27 letter, “What's Next, Polygamy Benefits?” I welcome the fact that the Xpress provides a forum in which such freedom of speech is permitted, even when the views expressed are so offensive, and when their […]
Back again: County Commissioners to weigh in on discrimination policy tonight
Less than a year after three Buncombe County commissioners rejected a resolution that would protect government workers against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the proposition returns to the board for reconsideration tonight.
Transcending Asheville: Local clinic works to aid Asheville’s transgender residents
For many transgender men and women — the “T” in LGBTQ — Asheville offers a road to acceptance and a comfortable, integrated life. But transgender people often face hurdles in receiving health care, particularly the uninsured.
Jones slams board majority for voting against nondiscrimination amendment
Commissioner Holly Jones sent out a scathing email newsletter Aug. 20, criticizing the majority of her colleagues on the Board of Commissioners for voting against amending the Buncombe County personnel ordinance Aug. 7 to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
It’s time for the silent majority to be silent no more
In light of the misrepresentations and downright untruths that are being spread about the events of Nov. 15 in downtown Bakersville, I thought I would share some “truths” about the event. The truth: The N.C. legislature recently voted to allow the voters of the state to amend the state constitution to include a legal definition […]
The Mitchell County Gay Straight Alliance is about community, not conversion
On Nov. 15, the Mitchell County Gay Straight Alliance held its first meeting at the Bakersville Library. On the street outside, dozens of people came to demonstrate. Some people said they were concerned we are promoting homosexual clubs in the schools. One person asked if gay people are trying to force their lifestyle on others. […]
Let’s be allies
I was saddened to see Chuck Shepherd's glib treatment of transgender children [“News of the Weird: Faimly Values,” Nov. 22 Xpress). Let's not perpetuate the ignorance and lack of acceptance that has marked too many young people's lives with cruelty and alienation. The experience of gender fluidity can start as early as 3 or 4 […]
Asheville observes Transgender Day of Remembrance with candles, reading of names
As the sun started to set on Sunday Nov. 20, about 50 people gathered outside of the Asheville Civic Center for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Holding white candles and paper banners, they marched in silence and reverence to the Vance Monument as part of this worldwide event that memorializes those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event was co-sponsored by two local groups, Just Us For All and UNC Asheville Alliance. Photos by Megan Dombroski
WE DO supporters rally, couple arrested in civil disobedience act
Today, about 150 supporters of the WE DO campaign rallied in front of City Hall before marching down to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds, where 12 same-sex couples requested — and were denied — marriage licenses. In an act of civil disobedience, Kathryn Cartledge and her partner Elizabeth Eve, partners for 30 years, sat down and began reading rights given to heterosexual married couples until arrested and removed by Sheriff’s deputies. This post contains Twitter coverage from multiple sources from the rally and what followed.
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.
LGBTQ film fest trailer: Be a part of history and don’t be a heathen
With Asheville’s first LGBTQ film festival set to take place Sept. 29-Oct 2, it was only natural that its promoters would make a film trailer to tease its potential audience.
We’re Not Bashful: A rally for LGBTQ rights
More than 100 people took to the streets of Montford and downtown Asheville May 12 to march for LGBTQ rights. Organizers with equal-rights group Just Us For All said they hoped the “We’re Not Bashful” rally would serve as a catalyst to expand the LGBTQ movement in Asheville.
The Beat: HATCH-ing a plan
A look at what’s been making headlines.