The Campaign for Southern Equality’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center will be open at our office, 20 Oak Street in downtown Asheville from 11am-5pm on Thursdays, starting than week. We’ll be distributing free health and wellness supplies (from hygiene supplies to binders and make up), hot coffee, and good music. All are welcome, and if you have any questions you’d like answered in advance, please reach out to our team at info@southernequality.org.
The last few weeks have been devastating for Western NC, and many members of our community still lack access to critical infrastructure like water and power. So many in our community need help as we all recover from the damage and trauma caused by the storm, and we’re extremely thankful to everyone who is donating, contributing essential supplies, or volunteering their time to help folks get through this challenging time. Your support has been invaluable through this crisis.
We know that when natural disasters occur, LGBTQ+ folks can be impacted in compounding ways – because relief institutions and processes may not be built with our needs in mind, and past experiences can lead to discomfort with frontline relief institutions. Many of our friends and neighbors in Asheville can’t get into their homes or have lost things in the flood, and getting in touch with therapists or doctors can be particularly challenging with reduced access to power, wifi, and cell service. Many trans community members have reported particular challenges of feeling heightened gender dysphoria because of the hurdles to taking regular showers, washing gender-affirming clothing, and more.
We’re committed to helping Western NC through this crisis, and that means giving the LGBTQ+ community a little extra love to bridge any gaps in relief efforts. That’s why we’re opening a new LGBTQ+ Resource Center in the CSE offices – open on Thursdays from 11am-5pm – to help our community access essential supplies and support during this time. We’ll offer basic supplies and resources for LGBTQ+ and allied folks, queer-specific resources, and navigation support to help folks identify where else they can get help and better understand how our medical partners work. Plus, we’ll have fun music, coffee, and snacks to give folks an affirming, welcoming space to visit during this difficult time.
On top of this drop-in center, we’ll also be assembling supply packages for our local frontline partners to distribute specifically to LGBTQ+ folks and allies in need. In the last week, we’ve delivered supplies to trans health clinics at WNCCHS and MAHEC, two Federally Qualified Health Centers which serve folks from across WNC.
We’re also working with local partners – Blue Ridge Pride, Tranzmission, and Youth OUTRight – to coordinate a weekly schedule so that we can all jointly amplify queer-led and queer-inclusive resource spaces. We’re also doing regular supply runs to BeLoved’s Distribution Center and Haywood Street Respite Center, both of which are doing extraordinary frontline work with an emphasis on getting resources to unhoused, BIPOC, and low income folks. Check out the full calendar of weekly supplies distribution centers below.
Weekly Calendar of LGBTQ+ Resource Centers & Community Spaces
Hosted by Blue Ridge Pride, Campaign for Southern Equality, and Tranzmission
Mondays
Blue Ridge Pride Resource Center, 2 – 6 PM
1330 Patton Avenue, Suite A
Food, baby supplies, hygiene supplies, pet food, cold weather items, apply for direct financial assistance
Tuesdays
Tranzmission Resource Center, 4 – 6 PM
Food pantry, household items, clothing closet, and application for microgrants
Email info@tranzmission.org for location
Wednesdays
Blue Ridge Pride Resource Center, 12 – 4 PM
1330 Patton Avenue, Suite A, Asheville
Food, baby supplies, hygiene supplies, pet food, cold weather items, apply for direct financial assistance
Thursdays
Campaign for Southern Equality Supply & Resource Center, 11 AM – 5 PM (Happens once a month, Re-opens 12/12)
20 Oak Street, Asheville (downtown)
Each month: Health, hygiene and wellness supplies (including binders, menstrual products, make up); winter clothing; household items; support navigating LBTQ+ friendly resources
Tranzmission Resource Center, 4 – 6 PM
Food pantry, household items, clothing closet, and application for microgrants
Email info@tranzmission.org for location
Fridays
Tranzmission Resource Center, 4 – 6 PM
Food pantry, household items, clothing closet, and application for microgrants
Email info@tranzmission.org for location
Saturdays
Tranzmission Resource Center, 4 – 6 PM
Food pantry, household items, clothing closet, and application for microgrants
Email info@tranzmission.org for location
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Resource Centers
BeLoved Relief Center
32 Old Charlotte Highway
Food, baby supplies, health, hygiene and wellness supplies, household items, clothing
Monday-Saturday, 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Relief Center
789 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, 28804
Food, baby supplies, health, hygiene, and wellness supplies, household items, resource navigation
Seven days a week; 12 – 4 PM
We’re deeply thankful for the partnership of the LGBTQ+ Center of Durham, Elevated Access, and other local partners in Asheville in making this new program possible. Asheville’s LGBTQ+ residents need and deserve this extra support right now, and we’re grateful that we can give some love back to the community that has done so much for us. If you’d like to donate to support CSE’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center, click here to place a donation.
