Pride Month is off to an incredible start for us, and we hope that you can say the same. In just one year’s time, our little organization has grown enough to be in two places at once for the first big weekend of Pride Celebrations!
What a weekend we had, sharing in love and community care with our LGBTQIA+ friends across these mountains we call home! HayCo Pride is proud to have represented at both Hendersonville Pride and Nerd Pride Fest on June 7. We met so many new friends and reunited with others we haven’t seen in a while, and we’re still revelling in the joy of it all.
Hendersonville Pride
Max, Chels, and Mims represented Haywood County at Hendersonville Pride, where we shared information about our Little Free Queer Store and HayQueer Hikes, and passed out an abundance of mutual aid and harm reduction supplies. As folks snagged up Plan B, Narcan, Covid tests, and more, they expressed so much gratitude and enthusiasm for our work, leaving our hearts so full!
We made a ton of new furry friends… and we got to know a few of their human companions too. 😉 The temporary Pride tattoos at our table were a hit with young folks and the “young at heart,” and it was great to make connections with folks from all over – including a few who, like us, traveled from Haywood County in the spirit of inter-county solidarity. Huge congratulations and props to the Board behind this year’s Hendersonville Pride – y’all sure know how to throw a party and make folks feel welcome!
Nerd Pride Fest
Meanwhile, Hil, Victoria, Aaron, and Xero spent the day at Nerd Pride Fest at Warren Wilson College, where they also had a lovely time meeting folks and sharing the work of HayCo Pride. Hil was even featured as part of a panel, where they spoke on Queering the Craft of Cosplay!
Hil sat down to share a little bit about their day at Nerd Pride Fest:
This past weekend, I had the absolute joy of representing Haywood County Pride (HayCo Pride) at Nerd Pride Fest at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. The event was a full day of queer celebration, fandom, creativity, and community—right in the heart of Western North Carolina.
Our table was filled with:
- Info on how to get involved in our mutual aid programs
- A QR code and link to our “You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone” t-shirt on Bonfire (a favorite design featuring our trans-flag-wielding possum!)
- Our mission statement and vision for a rural queer future
- Plus flyers, stickers, and sign-up sheets for folks ready to plug in or simply stay connected
We met so many kind, curious, and fired-up folks—from seasoned cosplayers and queer organizers to students just beginning their journey of expression and identity. It was clear: the Nerd Pride crowd got what HayCo Pride was all about.
I had the honor of leading a Cosplay 101 panel as part of the official Nerd Pride Fest programming. As someone who’s been cosplaying since 2011, it was deeply meaningful to share not just tips and tricks—but the story of how cosplay became a tool of self-discovery and empowerment in my queer life.
During our interactive and heartfelt panel discussion, we touched on:
- Easy ways to get started with cosplay (even on a budget!)
- Cosplay safety and community etiquette
- The liberating power of gender exploration through costume
- And most importantly, how queerness and nerdiness are deeply interconnected—both invite us to imagine and embody new worlds
Folks shared their first cosplay experiences, their dream characters, and the ways queerness showed up in their fandoms. We laughed, got nerdy, and talked about the power of claiming space—at cons, in our small towns, and our own stories.
Nerd Pride Fest reminded me that queer rural community is alive and thriving, especially when we make space for joy, creativity, and collective imagination. At HayCo Pride, we often talk about “building community beyond capitalism,”—and events like this prove that possibility.
If our paths crossed at either of these events, please know that we’re so grateful to be in community with you. We are deeply familiar with the knowledge that our liberation and safety as Queer folks in Haywood County is interconnected to the liberation and safety of our neighboring community members in other parts of the region. We are committed to nurturing resilient, healing networks and relationships beyond our county borders and across the mountains of Western North Carolina.
We truly believe that, together, we can create communities where all of us can thrive.
The month isn’t over yet! Later this month, you can find us tabling at Trans+ Pride on June 21st (featuring our very own Max performing their stand-up comedy debut)! We’ll also be walking in the parade at Pride on Main right here in Haywood County on June 28th – you can sign up to march with our group of HayCo Queer folks here!
Reach out to HayCo Pride any time to learn more or get involved – you can always get in touch with us at info@haycopride.com. Otherwise, keep an eye on our website and social media for updates and information about our programs.
See you soon!
In solidarity,
HayCo Pride
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