LGBTQ Community Events in North Carolina

Based in Mount Holly, NC, the Pauli Murray LGBTQ+ Bar Association represents a vital community of legal professionals committed to supporting LGBTQ+ equality and fostering meaningful connections among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, sexual and gender diverse, and allied attorneys. As a non-profit membership organization, the association establishes and nurtures a supportive network where legal professionals can meet, build fellowship, and advance their careers in an atmosphere of equality and diversity. The organization recognizes the importance of positive role models and provides opportunities for professional growth and mutual support within the LGBTQ+ legal community. The Pauli Murray LGBTQ+ Bar Association demonstrates its commitment through various initiatives, including the Lavender Law Scholarship program that supports law students attending the National LGBTQ Bar Association's Lavender Law Conference, and the annual Pride Celebration that brings the community together. These programs reflect the organization's dedication to promoting diversity in the legal profession and supporting the next generation of LGBTQ+ attorneys. Members and supporters in Mount Holly, NC and beyond contribute to the organization's mission through membership, volunteering, merchandise purchases, and donations that fund scholarships, events, and general operations. The association serves as a resource for research, discussion, and exchange of information on legal issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities, making it an essential organization for legal professionals seeking community, professional advancement, and meaningful advocacy work.

Since its founding in 1979, Equality North Carolina has served as the oldest statewide organization in the country dedicated to securing rights and protections for the LGBTQ community. Based in Durham, NC, the organization is rooted in a powerful history of activism and community-centered work that emerged during the AIDS crisis and evolved through decades of dedicated organizing. Equality North Carolina is committed to ensuring that every North Carolinian sees themselves reflected in the movement for equality and justice, working to create a safer, more equitable world for all marginalized people. The organization's vision centers on building a thriving, liberated North Carolina where a powerful LGBTQ+ community is united in service of racial and social justice. At its core, Equality North Carolina uplifts the stories and experiences of queer and trans North Carolinians while recognizing that all oppression is interconnected. The organization operates from the belief that none of us are free until all of us are free, honoring and building power on the margins until the margins become the center. Serving the Durham community and beyond, Equality North Carolina brings together activists, organizers, and community leaders who understand that real change requires unity, strategic action, and a commitment to both long-term transformation and immediate progress. Through its work, the organization demonstrates that collective power and shared vision can reshape the landscape for LGBTQ rights and create meaningful, lasting change across North Carolina.

North Star LGBTQ+ Community Center represents over a decade of dedicated service to the LGBTQ community in Winston-Salem, NC, born from a 2012 community needs assessment that revealed overwhelming support for a dedicated LGBTQ center in the Triad area. Founded by Board Chair Teresa Carter following extensive research into successful models in Raleigh and Charlotte, North Star has grown into a vibrant hub celebrating identity and creating meaningful change. The center's journey reflects deep community roots—from its early home on Brookstown Avenue to its current downtown Winston-Salem location at 930 Burke Street—demonstrating consistent commitment to serving those who need it most. North Star's inclusive approach embraces intersecting identities and welcomes everyone seeking belonging, support, or connection. The organization's values are evident in every aspect of its work: from the Kevin Jennings Memorial Library established through private donations, to annual signature events like In Good Company that recognize local business allies, to monthly initiatives such as Give Out Days and Cocktails for a Cause. With a passionate board of directors, dedicated volunteers, and engaged staff, North Star creates safe spaces where LGBTQIA individuals can find community, access resources, and participate in advocacy efforts. Operating Friday through Sunday with extended hours, the center offers a warm, open atmosphere where visitors consistently report feeling welcomed and valued. North Star's mission—to foster community across intersecting identities through advocacy, compassion, education, and service—guides everything the organization does, making it an essential pillar of the Winston-Salem LGBTQ community.