Flags flew high in downtown Durham September 29, painted in all the colors of the rainbow in celebration of LGBTQ+ pride.
The parade and festival took place near Duke University, where hundreds of participants and supporters flocked to the party, clad in sparkles and wigs.
“We are just so glad everyone came out. Everyone should feel welcome,” Master of Ceremonies of the 2018 LGBTQ+ pride parade in Durham, Vivica C Coxx, said.
Senior Alyssa Portanova attended the parade.
“Pride was a wonderful experience. It was a great way to meet people and have a place where LGBTQ+ people, young and old, were not afraid to be themselves. It’s really cool to meet people like me,” she said.
The parade grounds were packed full of large businesses and small craft shops, showing their endorsement of the LGBTQ+ community, including medical facilities such as Duke PrEP Clinic for HIV Prevention and religious organizations from multiple different churches and synagogues, some even with their own floats.
There was plenty of food and entertainment. Crepes, seafood and frozen yogurt were in colorfully decorated hands everywhere, often accompanied by waving rainbow flags.
Coxx and other staff members danced onstage to disco tracks and remixes, featuring artists ranging from Abba to Beyonce.
The floats were large, draped in pink and silver, with people waving to the audience below. The crowd responded with cries, screams and whistles, keeping the general atmosphere friendly and energetic.
The energy lasted into the later hours of the party during evening shows and entertainment.
Michael Irwin, a teacher at Chapel Hill High School who also attended Pride, summarized one of the most important aspects of the festival.
“It speaks to the common fight we all share to build an oppression-free world. Everyone is welcome at Pride. It’s a great way to show up and play a part in supporting everyone’s right to love who they want,” he said.
