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She’s a social worker and a member of the Sylva Queer Support and Education. The committee is made up of local leaders and community members.Ī number of local organizations will also take part in the celebration from Jackson County Health Department, The Summit and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino to grassroots groups like Tranzmission, Nudale Adantedi, WNC Aids Project and Sylva Queer Support and Education. “And so you don't have as much of an impact as you can have in little towns like this, where you actually are constantly intermingling with people who might not actually share your same views.”Īlthough Pride celebrations usually take place in June, because of the pandemic the committee scheduled the parade for Labor Day Weekend. “In a big city, you don't really have much of a connection to your community,” said Sarah. Sarah’s family used to visit Franklin in the summers before they moving to the area. “I think this mural is just a part of just trying to tell whoever visits here, wherever they come from, that this town is a town of acceptance, generally.”įor the LaRoses, the chance to be a part of a supportive community was one of the reasons they moved to Jackson County last year from Dallas, Texas. “The reason why we chose 'you belong here' is because first of all, it applies to anyone,” said Sarah. The pair have been married for just over a month.
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Both are part of the Sylva Pride Committee that has been planning Sylva’s first Pride parade, which takes place on Saturday, September 4th. She’s an artist who designed the new Sylva Pride mural with her wife Sarah. “Sarah always helps me now with my design projects these days. On the side of an antique shop in downtown Sylva, the message on the rainbow mural now says “You Belong Here.” The mural is the opening act for the town’s first Pride parade. If you drive through downtown Sylva, you might see a new mural.