'I Didn't Think It Was Possible': North Carolina City Rings In Its First LGBTQ Pride
Organizer Laura Bannister says no one should have to leave their community to celebrate LGBTQ pride. Despite some resistance from the community, the city was overwhelmed by the turnout.
On a recent, beautiful June afternoon in the Blue Ridge Mountains, dozens of tiny rainbow flags led the way toward a park pavilion. A couple walks up to the pavilion, each holding a gallon of iced tea. In the parking lot, people are unloading their lawn chairs.
The small city of Hendersonville, N.C., celebrated LGBTQ pride for the first time. Unlike many pride celebrations in bigger cities, there was no parade or festival. It was a potluck picnic.
Hendersonville is about 30 miles from the scenic, eclectic city of Asheville. Downtown Asheville is speckled with rainbow flags. It's common to see same-sex couples and gender diversity.
