June is officially here, and it's time to
Holler Loud, Love Proud! |
Learn more about what's going on across
Western North Carolina! |
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Erika Busse is the winner of the 2026 Pride Festival Art Contest! The decision wasn't easy, and there were so many submissions we loved. We ultimately chose Erika's design because we thought it encapsulated the local Appalachian culture we're honoring with this year's theme "Holler Loud, Love Proud." We also love the simple, joyous quality of the artwork. Erika's design will be featured on festival t-shirts and marketing material this year. Congratulations, Erika!
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Introducing our New Board President & VP |
The Blue Ridge Pride Board of Directors is proud to announce our new President and Vice President: Madison Root and Bellamy Crawford! |
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Madison Root (they/she) is a passionate queer family law attorney who has made the beautiful WNC mountains home for her family for the past five years. Madison is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Blue Ridge Pride’s Board President, carrying the torch for those who have paved the way for LGBTQIA2S+ non-profits in the South before them.
Originally from South Texas, Madison is passionate about helping families in legal need. She was granted the 2024 Distinguished Young Lawyer Award by the Buncombe County Bar. Madison has also practiced law in Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, and Transylvania counties.
When not serving her clients or the WNC LGBTIA2S+ community, Madison can often be found walking around downtown Asheville or driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, wondering how they got so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. |
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Bellamy Crawford (they/them) is a creative marketing and fund development professional who has worked for and fallen in love with several nonprofits in WNC over the past 12 years. Since 2023, they have served as the Director of Development for the Western North Carolina AIDS Project. They are passionate about social justice and reproductive health.
Bellamy believes in the importance of social change through community collaboration, re-centering marginalized voices, and confronting belief systems that perpetuate oppression. They spend most of their free time painting, reading, napping, playing with their two amazing kids, or trying to finish the sci-fi novel they started when they were twelve. |
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The BRP Festival is September 25th and 26th, 2026!
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BRP's Annual Pride Festival is right around the corner! For the month of June, we're offering festival sponsors the Sterling Silver Sponsorship level (normally valued at $2,000) for $1,000! During Pride month only, sponsors can receive all the benefits of the Silver Sponsorship level--including festival logo placement, festival vendor space, and a ticket for the festival VIP tent--for half the regular gift amount.
Don't miss your chance to become an important part of the largest and oldest pride festival in our region with this special Pride partnership opportunity! |
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Blue Ridge Pride's June Events |
WNC Trans+ Pride - 6/13 across Asheville's South Slope
We are partnering with businesses across the South Slope to celebrate our transgender and gender-diverse community of Western North Carolina.
*Trans+ Pride Drag Brunch | Antidote | 11:30-12:30 pm
*Trans+ Pride Market | Eulogy | 12-4 pm
*Trans+ Pride After Party | Bottom | 5-9 pm
Are you a business in the South Slope interested in partnering with us for this year's Trans + Pride event? Click below! |
Pride 5K - 6/20, 8 am at Carrier Park
Our third annual race is one of the biggest fundraisers for BRP, supporting our many programs and initiatives. Runners can expect an inclusive pace for all bodies, bright energy, loud pride, and community connection from start to finish. |
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Looking for Free Therapy? |
Are you LGBTQIA+ and Impacted by Hurricane Helene?
The Quilt Care program offers ten free sessions of counseling with a therapist of your choice! Thanks to the American Red Cross, our program funds therapists across WNC to offer short-term therapy to support our neighbors in navigating resources, building strength, and coping with mental health challenges.
We're also building our network of clinicians, please reach out to beulah@blueridgepride.org for more details! |
Respect The Dolls: a Word From Mr. Sylva Pride |
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"As a trans man from Western North Carolina, I want to remind people that "Respect the Dolls" includes the Kens too.
A lot of people think discrimination only happens to trans women, but trans men deal with it too. As an AFAB entertainer and trans man, I've struggled with acceptance and fitting in at jobs, both in the past and where I work now. Sometimes people don't see us, don't understand us, or don't take our experiences seriously. Respecting trans people means respecting all of us. Trans women, trans men, and non-binary people all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. When we support each other, our community becomes stronger. Let's make sure nobody gets left out of the conversation." - Leo Scott Mr. Sylva Pride |
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Respect the Dolls aims to raise money to support trans folks across Western North Carolina. For more information on how you can help, click below. |
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We're Not The Only Ones Celebrating Pride! |
Let's work together to make sure that this Pride is extra special! Check out our Community Calendar regularly to find your people! |
We're relaunching our community calendar to better serve our community! Feel free to save events to your Google Calendar so you never miss a beat! |
Don't forget to tell us about your event, connect to your community today! |
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