Asheville Reception Honors Rep. Susan Fisher

"Susan Fisher is one of our real champions in the General Assembly, and I'm so glad we could show her how much we appreciate her efforts," said Ian Palmquist, Executive Director. "Her outspoken advocacy for the School Violence Prevention Act and for realistic sex education has advanced the debate on equality and justice in our state."

The event was held at the home of Dan Ray. Guests gathered around the pool to honor  Fisher and hear from Palmquist and Equality NC Board Member Jesse White.

Three Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor were in attendance: Sen. Walter Dalton, Hampton Dellinger, and Winston-Salem Councilman Dan Besse. Other officials attending were Asheville City Council Members Holly Jones and Bryan Freeborn, and Orange County Commissioner and state senate candidate Mike Nelson. Rep. Fisher's husband, John Fisher, is also a candidate for Buncombe County Commissioner.

Pictures from the event will be available soon in our photo gallery.

Equality NC thanks the committee, volunteers and sponsors who made it a success.

Platinum Sponsors ($1,000)
Ashford Mortgage Advisors - David Kanis (www.ashfordmortgageadvisors.com)
Will Jones and Barry Pate
Bob Page and Dale Frederiksen
Jim Penny
Dan Keith Ray
The Real Estate Center - David Mosrie and Karen Gleason (www.recenter.com)
Replacements, Ltd.
The Ear, Nose, and Throat Center - Dr. Barry Pate Jr.

Gold Sponsors ($500)
Robert Eaton and James McPherson
Ronald English
Burt Hellman
Alyce Knaflich
Doug Michaels
Mack and Janice Pearsall

Silver Sponsors ($250)
ashevillepurplepages.com - Bridgette Cannon
Budweiser of Asheville
Faye Burner and Wendy Myers
Phil Burton and Ron Hilton
Judy Carter and Susan Sluyter
Matthew Clark and Stephen DerMargosian
Ron Curran and Dave Henderson
Stephen Fisher and Joseph Myers
John Fritchie and Mitchell Lonas
David Guinn and Fred Friedman
James Harrison, PhD
Sandy Hooper and Julie Bowers
Ray Hunt
I-Rise, Asheville's GLBTQ Center
La Caterina Trattoria
David Smith and Phillip Broughton
John Whitener and Tony Saldana

Bronze Sponsors ($150)
Dan Besse
Beccah Boman
Kevin Brignac
Jim Cavener and Alan Robinson
Citizens to Re-Elect Councilman Brownie Newman
Club Hairspray
Carol and Spencer Duin
Ed Farthing
Kay Flaminio
Jerri Goldberg and Susan MacMurchy
Reid Jones
Mike Nelson
Ian Palmquist and Brad Oaks
People of Faith for Just Relationships
Guillo Rodriquez and Jeff Crawford
Ralph Simpson
Rev. Steven Smith
Jude Welsh
Jesse White
Nan Williamson and Beth Thompson

Committee Members
Carlos Cardona
Jim Cavener and Alan Robinson
James Dye
Ed Farthing
Kay Flaminio
Jerri Goldberg
Will Jones and Barry Pate
Chet Spier

Special Thanks
Alexander Bannister
Deidre Barrett
Tara Chandler
Zeek Christopoulos
A.J. Geil
Glenn Goldberg
Donna and Hal Jacobs
Joshua Kumm
Kriya and Kai Lendzion
Esther Megill
Laurey Masterton
Carole Miller of True Confections
Noel Nickle and Joe Hoffman
Matthew Robinson
Cynthia Strom
Allister Styan
Tranzmission