LGBTQIA Durham
"Safe, inviting, inspiring." That's how Durham's LGBTQIA community describes the Bull City. And we fight to keep it that way.
Durham's queer community isn't just tolerated here, it's championed. From our activist roots to our reputation as one of the South's most progressive cities, Durhamites have consistently shown up to protect and celebrate LGBTQIA lives. Durham was the site of pivotal protests for LGBTQIA rights in North Carolina that sparked the state's very first Pride parade – a legacy of activism we carry forward today. When discriminatory legislation threatened our community, Durham stood in solidarity through protests, fundraisers and unwavering action.
Today, Pride: Durham, NC serves as a beacon of Durham’s inclusivity every September. Our Pride festival is an unapologetic affirmation of our (and every) LGBTQIA community. Each August, Durham hosts OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival, the second largest LGBTQIA film festival in the Southeast. Held at the historic Carolina Theatre, OutSouth screens films that range from full-length features to documentaries and shorts, highlighting the work of directors from across the country.
For nightlife, The Pinhook offers queer dance parties and Arcana – a proud member of The Lesbian Bar Project – hosts a Queer Prom and many other events. But here's what makes Durham different: while we don't have a large number of exclusively queer spaces, we have countless welcoming spaces owned and operated by queer entrepreneurs. Durham's craft breweries, cocktail bars, restaurants, coffee shops and rooftop hangouts aren't just inclusive. Many are built and run by LGBTQIA community members who've created spaces where everyone belongs.
