The city celebrated the first gay wedding in North Carolina after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in June 2015. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, an ordained minister, stressed that she was not a single-issue candidate.
It’s perhaps the most widely enjoyed party in Asheville, by LGBTQ and straight folks alike.īuncombe County, where Asheville is located, recently elected its first openly lesbian county commissioner – and her sexuality was not considered an issue. These Are the Most Googled Questions and Answers About Asheville, NCĮach October more than 10,000 people attend one of the most colorful Pride celebrations in the country, the Blue Ridge Pride Festival. Census figures report that Asheville has 83 percent more gay and lesbian residents than an average American city.
Consider just a few aspects of life in this progressive city: But Asheville does more than just issue official statements. There is no need for a physical display of rainbow flags everywhere because you will find LGBTQ ‘Welcoming’ businesses and services throughout Asheville.” Reiterating the city’s well-known support of its LGBTQ citizens, Mayor Esther Manheimer wrote earlier in a welcoming letter, “We invite you to celebrate our diversity, openness, and welcoming atmosphere. In April 2016 the city council passed a resolution calling for the repeal of HB2 and reaffirming “…its opposition to discrimination, prejudice, homophobia, and transphobia.” And, in a state making headlines for its controversial “HB2” ruling that restricts transgender people to use only public bathrooms that correspond to their birth-gender, Asheville has stood up - and stood out - in opposition to legislation many believe is deeply discriminatory. Ranked the 12th Gayest City in America by The Advocate in 2010, Asheville’s friendliness toward gays has been saluted by the New York Times and recognized by CNN. But increasingly, it’s also becoming famous as one of the country’s most popular spots for LGBTQ visitors and would-be residents.Īsheville, NC: ‘Discrimination, in any form, is not acceptable’
Asheville, NC is known for its stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, charming historic sites, and lively restaurant and craft beer scenes.