Gay durham nc

LGBTQIA-Owned & Operated Businesses in Durham

Estimated Study Time:
3 min

Assist these local LGBTQIA-owned businesses this month and the other eleven months of the year, too.

Posted By Discover Durham Staff on Jun 23, 2025

Designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, the unique Pride flag incorporated eight different colors to represent eight different aspects of the queer society. While the colors of the flag changed over moment to incorporate more groups and to recognize the contributions of LGBTQIA people of color, the meaning of the rainbow flag is the same — it's a symbol of diversity, persona and support for the LGBTQIA collective. In Durham, we proudly wave and display our rainbow flags, cherish our queer community and support our queer-owned businesses.

While you'll discover safe, queer-friendly spaces acros

LGBTQ Durham, NC: Male lover City Guide and Gayborhoods

Located in the north-central part of North Carolina, Durham forms a part of the Durham-Chapel Hill Metro Area. Durham is one part of North Carolina that is particularly welcoming to the LGBTQ society. The city is well-known for its popular annual LGBTQ events, including Flamboyant Bingo, and the North Carolina Lgbtq+ and Lesbian Movie Festival, among others.  It's a thriving and growing metropolis full of opportunities and welcoming enough to have a place for everyone. 

A Look at Durham’s History

The history of Durham is a long one –in fact, the site upon which Durham now sits is believed to be the side of an ancient Native American village named Adshusheer. Its more modern-day history, however, began in 1854 when Dr. Bartlett Durham sold 4 acres of country to the North Carolina Railroad Business so that the company could create a new station between Hillsboro and Raleigh North Carolina. It wasn't prolonged before a miniature settlement that eventually became the town of Durham grew in the area. Initially, the metropolis flourished because of the tobacco that was grown easily in the area, but by the late 1800s, in addition to tobacco, th

Volunteer With Us In Raleigh-Durham!

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Gay For Excellent Raleigh-Durham, the first chapter in the South, mobilizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual , queer (LGBTQ+) and ally volunteers to promote diversity, foster inclusion and boost ties to the broader Raleigh-Durham community. We facilitate welcoming, inclusive service projects in support of a wide range of causes throughout Raleigh-Durham, and we look forward to rendezvous you.

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Get Involved.  Meet New Friends.  Make A Difference.

Upcoming Events

  • Guide processing with Durham's Publication Harvest
     July 26, 2025
     10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Help spread the joy of reading as we process donated books that will be distributed to kids during the summer

  • Food sorting and salvaging at the Durham Food Bank
     August 16, 2025
     9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join G4G RDU as we aid put a dent in food insecurity

  • Approachable furniture finishing with Made 4 Me

    LGBTQIA Durham

    “Safe, inviting, inspiring.” That’s how Durham’s LGTBQIA people describes the Bull City. From its activist roots to current reputation as a progressive Southern city, Durhamites have worked challenging to ensure that the Bull City is a welcoming place for all who visit. When the NC General Assembly temporarily passed discriminatory legislation, Durhamites stood in solidarity with the LGBTQIA community through protests, fundraisers, and events. This is a group that will uplift you, assist you and give you force. Whether you’re staying for one night or the rest of your life, you’ll feel right at home.

    Today, Pride: Durham, NC serves as a beacon of Durham’s inclusivity every September. Our Pride festival is an unapologetic affirmation of our (and every) LGBTQIA community. Predict a parade with costumed marchers alongside decorated floats and vehicles, as well as festival vendors, speeches, and parties in and around the city. Event organizers and participants are proud to bring love and activism support to the forefront of the event to drive stronger connections and further growth and accomplishment. Moreover, each August, Durham ho