The latest updates and announcements from the LGBTQ Center of Durham - EVERY 1ST MONDAY OF THE MONTH
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News from the LGBTQ Center of Durham | July 2026
Raye Dooley (L) & Vanity Deterville (R)
Just over a year ago, we became Co-EDs of the LGBTQ Center of Durham. One of our immediate and consistent values has been to create more opportunities for our people to find community with one another, whether to celebrate, grieve, rage, co-conspire, or just be.
For reasons both historical and practical, Durham has not typically held formal National Pride Month celebrations, but this year, the Center sponsored and/or produced an event each Saturday. Adding opportunities for celebration in June was no accident - it reflects our value to build forward as we fight back. During National Pride Month, we learned so much about our history, our families, and our capacity to find joy especially in hard times. Importantly, our relationships with one another, and with you, have grown during this time.
Being together in our queerness is countercultural. In a time where those with power seek to erase us, we are instead publicly proclaiming our love for Durham, for queerness, for difference, and for each other. We marched, ate, learned, danced, and celebrated together. And we get to do more of it in early fall too.
Over the coming months, we as Co-EDs will share more reflections on the past year and more of our vision about the year(s) to come. For now, we extend our most sincere thanks for a National Pride Month for ages. Ultimately, we want the Center - and Durham - to be places where every queer and trans person finds joy. June 2026 was an important, powerful step in that direction.
Raye Dooley & Vanity Deterville Co-Executive Directors LGBTQ Center of Durham
NATIONAL PRIDE MONTH RECAP
Y'all, Pride had us outside! Check out our highlight reels below, reflecting snapshots of our time together throughout June. There were several chances to build community, to connect meaningfully, and to show love to LGBTQ+ people, families, & organizations across Durham, and we remain grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Pride Month.
And so far, we've raised more than $6,000 via our special community campaign for this year's Pride. Click the button to donate more unrestricted funds and support the work we're doing!
While National Pride Month might be over, we are keeping it QUEER ALL YEAR! We have more community programs coming for the summer, and organizing for Durham Pride Week in the fall is well underway. In case you missed it, save these dates: Sunday, September 27 - Saturday, October 3! In partnership with Durham Central Park, the week will kick off with our Pride Vendor & Food Truck Rodeo. We'll co-host several programs throughout Durham Pride Week, including an intergenerational library panel, a community bike ride, a multi-faith service, a queer Durham history tour, and much more! And then we'll wrap it all up with our Pride Community Protest & Parade, beginning and ending at Duke's East Campus.
SURVIVOR ROOTS Thurs July 9, 530PM-7PM Thurs July 23, 530PM-7PM
Southern Queer Survivor Network is excited to introduce SURVIVOR ROOTS, an ongoing support group intended to support LGBTQ+ survivors of violence through community. Gathering in-person on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month, this is a space to reclaim narratives, strengthen resilience, and build solidarity. Click here to register and receive more details.
We need help! We are preparing for a small construction project in our warehouse and we want to complete some lawn care. We also need to set things up for our upcoming Summer Camp (see below for details). Please join us as you're able!
LGBTQ YOUTH CENTER OF DURHAM SUMMER CAMP 2026 Mon July 13 - Fri July 17, 9AM-4PM
LGBTQ+ youth, ages 14-18, join us for this year's SUMMER CAMP! For one week only, 15 folks will be able to gather for FREE -- activities include arts workshops, rock climbing, swimming, field trips to a queer bookstore, drag and more! While there is a waitlist, we welcome registrations in case more space becomes available -- please click here to register.
Special thanks to everyone who has contributed funds to make this program possible, including a generous contribution that covered the cost of staffing and lunches. Because of your support, we are able to continue summer camp for another year. If you would like to contribute specifically towards our Youth Center programs, please click here to donate.
POC TRANS SUPPORT GROUP Wed July 22, 5PM-7PM *this event series is for all trans people of color*
Please join us to connect with fellow trans people of color, discuss life experiences, and normalize joy & freedom in community. We will meet on the porch steps at 114 Hunt St.
THE FILMS & THE FEELS Sat July 25, 4PM-8PM *in partnership w/ Campaign for Southern Equality, Comfrey Films, & the Pauli Murray Center*
Immediately following the wellness fair, a short film screening will be offered inside the Pauli Murray Family Home from 6PM to 730PM. To attend the screening, please click here to register for your FREE ticket.
ADDITIONAL UPCOMING CENTER EVENTS
July 7, 430PM-6PM | STI/HIV Testing, drop-in for FREE testing each month, learn about PREP.
July 8, 430PM-7PM | Youth Drop-In (ages 13-18), hang out with Youth Center staff and volunteers, visit our Giving Closet, read books from our library, play games, and more.
July 10, 10AM-2PM | Name Change Navigation Drop-In, talk w/ peers about how the processes work, appointments and intake forms are preferred, bit.ly/NameChangeNav
July 11, 10AM-12PM | Southern Queer Families Network Second Saturday Meetup Series, for queer & trans families with kids 12 and under, register in advance for details.
July 14, 530PM-630PM | Get Sh*t Done, meetup intended for queer & trans survivors, join in-person or virtually, register in advance for details.
July 22, 1PM-3PM | STI/HIV Testing, drop-in for FREE testing each month, learn about PREP.
July 28, 530PM-630PM | Get Sh*t Done, meetup intended for queer & trans survivors, join in-person or virtually, register in advance for details.
July 29, 430PM-7PM | Youth Drop-In (ages 13-18), hang out with Youth Center staff and volunteers, visit our Giving Closet, read books from our library, play games, and more.
July 31, 6PM-9PM | QueerHouse Open Decks (ages 16+), for queer & trans folks who want to practice their DJ skills and connect with other queer/trans youth.
Aug 2, 2PM-4PM | Southern Queer Families Network DPS Community Conversations, for educators advocating for LGBTQ+ students in Durham Public Schools, to participate, please fill out this interest form.
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