Originally published: Nov. 16, 2009, 7:06 a.m.
Updated: Nov. 18, 2009, 10:50 a.m.

Ira Schultz. Photo from Schultz's Facebook profile.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Ira Roy Schultz, 52, publisher of the LGBT magazine Stereotypd, has died of natural causes. Friends and co-workers say he suffered a fatal heart attack on Sunday afternoon and passed peacefully in his sleep.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, Nov. 20, 1 p.m., at Shepherd Memorial Gardens, 5045 Asheville Hwy. in Hendersonville, N.C. The staff of Stereotypd and other community members have also planned a community memorial service for Saturday, Nov. 28, 2 p.m. at Asheville’s O.Henry’s, 237 Haywood St.

Schultz helped to birth Stereotypd, formerly known as Out in Asheville, after moving to the mountain city from Florida in 2000. Under Schultz’s leadership, the former Out in Asheville newspaper grew tremendously in both editorial and geographic coverage areas. Stereotypd magazine is now distributed across Western North Carolina and into portions of the central Piedmont.

Under his drag persona, Stephanie Sinclair, Schultz wrote a weekly community events and nightlife column for the publication.

Shultz and Stereotypd were integral members of the Asheville LGBT community. He and other staff supported area non-profits and activism causes and helped give rise to the new Blue Ridge Pride festival held this year during National Coming Out Day weekend.

info: stereotypd.com