Center Blog
10th Year Brings New Focus on PRIDE in the Triangle
10th Anniversary of Out!Raleigh PRIDE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2020
Shoshanna Carroll
LGBT Center of Raleigh
919-307-9394
shoshanna@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com
10th Year Brings New Focus on PRIDE in the Triangle
Raleigh, NC: The LGBT Center of Raleigh today announced the new date and updated logo for their Pride street festival. The event will be held on May 30, 2020 and the new logo celebrates the partnership with Raleigh PRIDE. This milestone is a major move forward for the LGBT Center of Raleigh as the Center continues to broaden its partnerships across the Triangle community. In addition, the LGBT Center of Raleigh has also released a new sponsorship, and advertising package along with updates to the Out!Raleigh Pride website. This inclusive and action-packed event is family friendly with activities for all ages. Out! Raleigh Pride is an important way to raise the necessary funds to support the LGBT Center of Raleigh and all of its 20+ amazing community programs. Last year, more than 66,000 people poured into Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street to celebrate the LGBT community, our friends, and families.
“You know this as the OUT! Raleigh festival historically. Since 2010 the festival has had a few name changes - but the addition of PRIDE represents embracing queer culture and queer identities! Our 10th anniversary is the start of something new combined with the festival you already know and love!” says Lindsey Lughes, Executive Director at LGBT Center of Raleigh.
“We have been working together since 2019 to raise funds and spread inclusivity throughout the city via events that contribute to the texture of our LGBTQ+ community and have decided to make our shared vision for Raleigh official by co-hosting OUT! Raleigh Pride.” Josh Lamm, Co-founder, Raleigh Pride.
To learn more about the 10th Out!Raleigh Pride, click here: www.OutRaleighPride.org.
About LGBT Center of Raleigh: The LGBT Center of Raleigh exists to strengthen individual and community development through social and educational activities; to facilitate the incubation of supportive services and groups; and to identify needs and advocate for resources benefiting the diverse population of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, their friends and supporters within and beyond central North Carolina. Read more here: www.lgbtCenterOfRaleigh.com.
Lindsey Lughes named as new Executive Director
It is my absolute pleasure to announce that the search committee has hired 
as the next Executive Director of the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Lindsey comes to us with a plethora of experience in LGBT non-profit work, including her most recent position at the LGBTQ Center of Central Pennsylvania. Lindsey already has strong ties to the Triangle and I hope you’ll welcome her back with open arms when she and her family arrive next month. Lindsey’s official term will begin on June 1, 2019.
In solidarity,
Dr. Stephanie Andrea Allen
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Stephanie Andrea Allen, Ph.D. {She/Hers}
Chairperson, Board of Trustees | Volunteer | Program Manager
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LGBT Center of Raleigh - Serving the Triangle and Beyond |
They Made It Home: When Community Becomes Family
Kris at the LGBT Center of Raleigh's Welcome Desk
Kris (they/ them) is a regular volunteer at the LGBT Center of Raleigh and a leader in the Trans Initiative program. Kris has had quite the journey to get to where they are, and now that they are living their truth, they are sharing the love.
Kris is from Zebulon, NC – a very conservative town in the easternmost part of Wake County. Kris describes it as “a whole different world.” Raised by their homophobic and transphobic parents, Kris dealt with mental health issues because of their identity. An idea they explored primarily online until a potential suicide attempt. This led to Kris being admitted to Holly Hill Hospital for addiction treatment and suicide prevention. While there, Kris’ therapist insisted they come out as transgender to their parents. While Kris’ parents were not accepting or supportive, it was safe for Kris to go home. And the final suggestion made by the therapist before Kris left was to visit the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
Protesting through Volunteering: Mixing Purpose with Passion
We all have a story.
This is hers…
Lisa is a regular Tuesday morning volunteer at the Center. She shares the time with another Tuesday morning regular. The two make a great volunteer duo, and their commitment to the Center is proven. But the two have not always worked together. Lisa was drawn to the Center through a whirlwind of events. Events that unfolded in the shameful aftermath of HB2, North Carolina’s infamous “bathroom bill.”
Lisa describes herself as a pleaser, one not likely to protest, but for Lisa, there was a breaking point. A point where she would choose to stand up and use her voice. A voice that would get her arrested. Following HB2, Lisa decided she would participate in Moral Monday. And with a clear head and a heavy heart, Lisa decided she was comfortable taking this all the way to the finish line. She decided that she would get arrested.
A Director’s Perspective: ASYPRE 2013
This past weekend the LGBT Center of Raleigh in conjunction with many other youth serving organizations across North Carolina came together and held our annual ASPYRE Youth Camp. ASPYRE stands for a ‘A Safer Place for Youth to Reach Excellence”… and reach excellence we did!
Tucked away at a quiet YMCA Camp in Greensboro, our team of youth, youth counselors, and adult administrators engaged in a three day empowerment camp: with the explicit goal of bettering the lives of LGBTQ Youth across North Carolina. Our group from OUTright Youth of Catawba Valley was especially eager to learn how to form and maintain GSA’s in their school systems!