In Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech at Southern Methodist University in March 1966, he praised hard work of dedicated individuals toward human progress, which “never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.” Without persistent hard work, he said that time itself becomes an ally of…” social stagnation.”
“…We must realize the time is always right to do right,” he famously said.
On the afternoon of Saturday, June 7, the time was right in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and well over a thousand people did what was right: they stood up, spoke, sang, danced, and marched for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Saturday’s festivities comprised just a part of Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s collaborative Small Town Pride initiative running throughout June, in keeping with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month celebrated nationally each year.
Saturday’s Pride Promenade down Franklin Street—a part of Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s collaborative Small Town Pride initiative—began with a gathering at Chapel Hill’s Peace and Justice Plaza on Franklin Street. Photo by Randy B. Young.
Crowds gathered for the event at Peace and Justice Plaza, located in front of the former U.S. Post Office at 139 East Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill. The day began with a recital from student poet Alys Traylor, who read one of her own poems and one by poet Meg Day.
“These poems were not written particularly written for today,” Traylor said Saturday, “but I really felt like Meg Day’s poem fit well today.”
“This is the first time I’ve read at a pride event,” Traylor added. “I’ve never been to Pride (event), so I’m very happy. It’s my first pride.”
The Seymore Center’s Judy McCord spoke next, followed by Chapel Hill Council Member Karen Stegman, who offered up advice to the crowd, “My advice to you today is, ‘Don’t be a drag, be a queen.’ Now is the time to be the best queens we can be, whatever that means to you.”
“Visibility is resistance,” Stegman emphasized. “We need to be visible now, more than ever, together like this right here.”
Stegman admitted that desperate times, in this case, called for a clear, concerted, strong movement.
“These are dark times,” she said. “The ‘orange one’ and his cronies defy the constitution daily, they ignore court orders, and they deny basic human rights. They are using the power of the government to try to literally make that happen.
“These threats are real, but…hate and greed are the only things they have going for them. Remember that our superpowers are hope and joy.”
Student Alys Traylor shared poetry at Chapel Hill’s Peace and Justice Plaza on Franklin Street to kick off Saturday’s Pride Promenade down Franklin Street. Photo by Randy B. Young.
“Pride is always important to us,” said Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson, “and we’re even prouder this year in the face of all the attacks on our queer friends and family. So, we’re out here where we always are, and we’re not going to be dissuaded.”
After hearing from the speakers, the crowd mobilized behind the samba/reggae percussion of the Batalá Durham drum group and began its Franklin Street Pride Promenade to a street market at 140 West Franklin, about a half mile west of Church Street.
The 140 West Franklin Street market included art vendors, performances, interactive experiences, local food, and more. DJ Gemynii provided music at the celebratory scene, featuring performers such as Disco Diva, Mirror Lady, and more. A catwalk competition was hosted by WCHL’s Aaron Keck, and Kiki Diamond and Diamond Productions took to the stage for drag performances.
Cameron Amora, who performed drag as “Diamond Dixxx,” said she usually performed at larger towns and cities, but Saturday was an important exception.
“I’m from a little place called Erwin, North Carolina, and it’s a really small town,” Amora said. “I usually perform in Charlotte or Raleigh, and I’m actually on a break from drag…except today. When the town needs me, they need me.”
“Through Small Town Pride, we affirm community values ensuring that all residents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated with respect and dignity,” a town press release said. “The goal is to celebrate equality of the LGBTQIA+ communities…and bring awareness to other LGBTQ issues.”
Leaving Chapel Hill’s Peace and Justice Plaza, the crowd mobilized behind the samba/reggae percussions of the Batalá Durham drum group for the Pride Promenade and headed west to the plaza at 140 West Franklin Street. Photo by Randy B. Young.
Participants who identified as gay and straight allies alike stood side by side at the event, which welcomed all factions supporting LGBTQIA+ rights and issues.
“Progress for true equality requires the support of everyone,” the release said, “including straight allies who know that support for LGBTQ+ people strengthens the entire community.”
Allies present spoke about the importance of visibility and support as well.
“I’m here representing the League of Women Voters of Orange-Durham-Chatham Counties,” Amy Odum said. “We’re a 105-year-old national organization, and we’ve been fighting for equal rights throughout all of those years. The struggle continues, so we just wanted to come out here to show our support and to spend a glorious day in Chapel Hill.”
“It’s not just about commerce,” said Jen Gilmore, owner of The Quirky Daisy, a vendor at the 140 West Franklin plaza celebration. “I just want to show my support in any way as an ally. I love being at a pride event.”
“This was the fourth year the Town of Chapel Hill has hosted this event,” said Darien Cropper, marketing and communications coordinator for Chapel Hill’s Community Arts & Culture division.
Cropper said she was pleased with the outpouring of support and participation, which she estimated to be around 1,500 strong.
“Yes, we loved seeing the community come together for this event,” Cropper said. Talking with attendees, some were joining us for the first time, and others had been coming for multiple years. We also saw visitors from various North Carolina counties, so it’s great to see our reach grow each year as well.”
Pride month recognitions and celebrations continue locally throughout the month of June. On Saturday, June 14 at 4:30 p.m., El Centro Hispano will join local officials at Carrboro’s Pride Piper Walk, which will roll “Rainbow Ram” down Weaver Street from the El Centro Hispano west to the Carrboro Town Commons for food, dance, and frolicking at the Orgullo Pride Celebration, taking place from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
As such, the Carrboro Pride Dance Party has merged with Orgullo Latinx to stage a special event with joy and creativity.
For more information on Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s June Pride events, visit https://www.chapelhillarts.org/smalltownpride.
Basking in the glow of the day, a vast majority of the crowd seemed to express similar sentiments: they wish every day could be filled with such positivity.
“I was just talking to my neighbor, and we agreed that we wished everyday was a pride event,” Gilmore said. “It’s just important for us, as we get all of this great energy, everyone is so kind, so happy, and so full of love.”
Despite the impressive turnout, the event retained its small-town neighborhood feel, in keeping with the urgings of gay activist and politician Harvey Milk.
“Let’s make no mistake about this: The American Dream starts with the neighborhoods,” he said. “If we wish to rebuild our cities, we must first rebuild our neighborhoods. And to do that, we must understand that the quality of life is more important than the standard of living.”
And while Saturday’s Franklin Street crowds were necessarily loud and proud, we are reminded once again of Milk’s prophetic words:
“Hope will never be silent.”