Contact North Carolina Collection staff with questions: 

ncc@dconc.gov; 919-560-0171

This program will be recorded and shared virtually at a later date.

By the early to mid-1980’s Durham had become a very different place than it is today.  In this economically stagnant city of dying textile mills and tobacco factories, many realtors steered new homebuyers in the region from even thinking of moving to Durham. Downtown was nearly empty as small and large businesses fled to suburban shopping malls.  But in the summer of 1986, something happened and that began to change.

In June of 1986 during Pride Month, displays of lesbian and gay books and music were installed at the Main Library. On the wall beside one was an anti-discrimination week proclamation signed by the mayor which called for an end to unfair and unequal treatment of gay and lesbian residents. In short order tables with a petition to recall the mayor for this action were set up in several parts of town. Almost as quickly, a petition and tables to support the mayor was started.  Newspapers were filled with editorials and letters to the editors as a fierce debate captivated the community. After a six week battle the recall effort failed, as the Durham community chose to turn away from intolerance and discrimination and to support civil rights for all. The month ended with the first annual Lesbian and Gay Pride March, “Out Today, Out to Stay. The march was a huge success with over 1,000 queer folk and many, many of their straight allies.

Looking back, it seems likely that the very public mayoral recall battle changed the image of Durham to that of a tolerant, diverse, and welcoming community, one that rejected discrimination. Did this change in how both the community and the surrounding region viewed Durham put it on a new path to become the prosperous and highly regarded city that it is today?  What are the lessons learned about building coalitions with groups that don’t agree on everything? Could those lessons be applied to today?  Join us for a panel discussion with some of the key individuals involved from the lesbian, the progressive, and the religious communities.