The LGBTQ Center of Durham hosted its annual Pride: Durham, NC festivities in person for the first time since 2019
Words and photography by Kevin Delgado
Thousands marched down West Main Street in front of Duke’s East Campus, led by Grand Marshall Kimora Lee Brooks, during the LGBTQ Center of Durham’s Pride: Durham, NC parade. Weather conditions were ideal for flying rainbow flags high as folks walked around the Ninth Street district. Some donned rainbow face stickers, tutus and unicorn horns.
The fifth annual celebration of love, community and activism centered on a theme of “IRL,” which held two meanings this year, standing for both “in real life” – marking the return of the in-person event – and “inspiring real love,” highlighting the event’s mission of leaving attendees “inspired by the abundance of love made real.” People came together “in real life,” whether they waited in line for food trucks, checked out local queer vendors, or simply hugged and reconnected with one another after two long years during the subsequent festival, evening concert at Durham Central Park and after-party at The Fruit.
