Buncombe affirms support for LGBTQ community; Asheville resolution pending after delay

ASHEVILLE - Buncombe County commissioners presented an open letter to residents in support of the LGBTQ+ community, signed by all seven members, in the minutes before their June 6 meeting.

The statement comes amid a flood of North Carolina bills aimed at LGBTQ+ communities. It's what local advocacy organizations have said is the most anti-LGBTQ+ legislation seen on a national level in over a decade, and possibly the highest volume ever in the state.

"The LGBTQ community here in North Carolina and across the country is under an unprecedented level of political attack, particularly bills targeting transgender youth, and we want to send a statement of support and care and protection," said Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara.

She said they want to send message of support specifically to young LGBTQ+ people, "so they know they are not alone, they know they are loved, they know that leaders and elected officials in our community are here with them every step of the way."

Beach-Ferrara is also executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights in the South.

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“Asheville and Buncombe County is a place where we want to be welcoming and safe and inclusive for all of our kids and all of our families,” Chair Brownie Newman said while introducing the letter.

Buncombe County's letter said over the years, the county's values have been expressed through "a range of policies and practices," such as a comprehensive nondiscrimination ordinance, pride proclamations and other commitments to equity and inclusion.

"Words matter, as do policies," the letter said, "and nothing in our political life happens in a vacuum."

What is the legislation?

In a recent conversation with the Citizen Times, Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper said more than the number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, what's notable is how much of the legislation has a chance of passing.

Among the legislation is a bill that would prohibit trans girls from joining female sports teams in middle school, high school and college; another that would prohibit access to gender-affirming care for anyone under the age of 18; and others to ban curriculum on gender identity, sexual activity or sexuality in K-4 classrooms.

Also considered, though it did not pass the "crossover deadline" was a bill which would have made it illegal to perform in drag in public and anywhere minors are present.

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City considers supportive resolution despite delay

Asheville City Council members were scheduled to vote on a resolution reaffirming support for the city's LGBTQ+ community May 23, but before the vote, the item was removed from consideration.

Mayor Esther Manheimer said while there was "strong consensus among council members of our strong support for the LGBTIA community," they had not "struck consensus" around the exact wording of the resolution.

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Manheimer told the Citizen Times June 6 that she anticipates council will have a resolution on the agenda for its June 13 meeting.

Council member Kim Roney said the resolution as it stood May 23 was the "most watered down version of the resolution in North Carolina," lacking language explicitly in support of live performance and drag, and LGBTQ+ youths.

Roney said she brought a version of the resolution to council months ago, and that it has been been "redrafted several times since February to remove any language that might be controversial."

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She said there was an initial ask to delay the resolution in response to local bills pending in the legislature, and a concern that "there would be retaliation" in response to any statement of support for LGBTQ+ community.

“I think it’s really important to explicitly state support for the people who are the most vulnerable in our community,” Roney said. “We shouldn’t wait, because it’s a value statement. And after the value statement, we still have to do the work.”

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.