June is Pride Month and Raleigh has a long history with Pride, with LGBTQ+ events originally taking place underground in the warehouse district to now being open in a city that accepts the differences in others. Although COVID-19 has postponed some of the events that traditionally happen during Pride, there are still some virtual and in-person activities to do this month.
Out! Raleigh Pride — the organization that typically hosts Raleigh’s Pride Parade — has decided to postpone their main event until June 2022. With the sudden cancelation of their in-person event, Out! Raleigh Pride is now developing virtual content for people to participate in. The LGBT Center of Raleigh is offering several ways to participate virtually and in person. Most of their events are fully virtual this month and include discussions, small groups and book clubs. The LGBT Center of Raleigh will also be hosting a car parade on June 27 called Pride is a Highway. This $50 event will feature small businesses and organizations, as well as the opportunity for individuals to decorate their cars and connect during Pride.
The Raleigh Trolley will be traveling around important LGBTQ+ historic spots on June 13. Tickets are $10 and the tour is about an hour long. If you’re looking for a cooler indoor experience, drag shows and drag brunches will be happening throughout the month of June. Seating is limited and has filled up rapidly within the last few days. If you are able to get tickets, make sure to bring cash to tip the servers and drag queens — it takes a lot of time and money to look that fabulous.
In the fall, Durham is expected to have their parade fully in person on September 26. While there aren’t any plans for a parade yet in Raleigh, there may be more in-person events in the works as COVID-19 regulations evolve.
By Jeanine Carryl, Staff Writer