ICYMI: Celebrating Queer Pride from Hendo to HayCo

HayCo Pride is fueled by a dedicated team of volunteers that are actively creating a culture and community where we can all thrive and embody our truth. At Hendersonville, our booth was buzzing with the energy of our phenomenal team members, who are passionate about celebrating and uplifting the queer community in Haywood County and beyond. From hand-drawn coloring pages, to setting up and breaking down, to taking photos and capturing the stories of our kindred, they are the unsung heroes who are bringing our vision to life through every hug and laugh and “howdy.”

At Hendersonville’s Pride Picnic, we had the joy of meeting many of y’all face-to-face: folks born in Haywood County, currently living in Haywood County, or otherwise rooted in the place that we call our home. Your enthusiasm for our work and your excitement to learn more about our mission filled us with gratitude. The opportunity to engage directly with community members is what drives us to keep pushing forward. To everyone who signed up to receive updates from HayCo Pride: Welcome! We are excited to embark on this journey together.

1. Culture: We celebrate the rich tapestry at the intersection of Appalachian and Queer culture, showcasing the arts and community-focused programs.
   • At our booth in Hendersonville, we handed out dozens of hand-drawn coloring sheets featuring images that come to mind when we think of Haywood County: elk, barn quilts, trout, and even the BOOJUM! It wouldn’t be a real pride event if we didn’t educate our neighbors about the local cryptid lore, after all!
   • Our upcoming Queer Culture Celebration in October will feature cultural activities including an art show, an ancestral memorial, and a community quilt mural.
   • Our programs are committed to decentering whiteness and capitalism, ensuring narrative representation and accessibility across race, class and ability differences.
2. History: We capture, preserve, and amplify the historical and contemporary experiences of Queer folks in our community.
   • At our booth in Hendersonville, we started to capture stories for our Queer History Archive initiative – featuring your lovely faces and answers to the prompt, “My Appalachian Pride Looks Like…”
   • The Queer History Archive will be officially launched at the Queer Culture Celebration on October 5th to preserve and archive both digital and physical materials. 
   • This project is crucial in relearning and reclaiming the stories of Queer Appalachian ancestors, whose lives and legacies have often been erased or silenced, especially those at the intersection of oppression due to race, disability, class, religion, and other factors.
3. Connection: We connect our community to resources, representation, and each other.
   • Our booth at Hendersonville catalyzed conversations across generations from the young to the old about the lived experiences of being Queer and Appalachian. There were hugs, laughs, and dozens of folks who were eager to hear more information about what we have planned for October.
   • At the Queer Culture Celebration, we are hosting a Free Market that will provide critical services and support without cost – from health screenings to legal aid and notaries for name changes, to fresh produce and hot meals, we are here to meet the needs of our community and make life a little bit easier on us all.
   • Our work is dedicated to creating spaces where everyone can feel a sense of belonging and experience the vibrant diversity of our community through art and connection without a “pay to play” structure.