CHAPEL Hill, NC (June 7, 2021) - The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau is inviting residents and visitors to celebrate PRIDE MONTH this June! The towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill are collaborating to show LGBTQ+ Pride, and to affirm community values ensuring that all residents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated with respect and dignity. Through a mix of in-person and virtual events, Small Town Pride will promote equality and celebrate diversity and acceptance in the towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill. It will involve the entire community, with local businesses, artists, volunteers and community partners. Everyone is welcome!

Small Town Pride Events Include:
•    Town of Carrboro and Town of Chapel Hill have issued Proclamations of PRIDE MONTH. 
•    PRIDE flags are flying n our downtowns.
•    Social media campaign to highlight local LGBTQ+ leaders, history and milestones.
•    Small Town Pride Video: You’re invited to take a trip down memory lane and sample the Pride vibe that took place in Carrboro in 2019 through the film Small Town Pride from Richard Jaimeyfield, a local filmmaker. 
•    Area business specials.
•    Saturday, June 12: Drag Queen Story Time with host Stormie Daie at the large community shelter at Southern Community Park from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. for songs and stories that celebrate diversity and encourage kids to be exactly who they are. Everyone is welcome, but the books will be best for ages 2 – 7. No registration is required, but attendees are asked to wear their masks and practice physical distancing. 
•    Monday, June 14: Conversation with Rebby Kern and Kendra Johnson from EqualityNC from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. They will discuss the rise in anti-trans legislation and what we can do to support the trans community.  For more info and to register: https://ecs.page.link/g8DD4 
•    Thursday, June 24: Pride Food Truck Rodeo and Dance Party at Carrboro Town Commons from 5 to 8 p.m. Masks and physical distancing required. Event kicks off with elected officials rolling the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Rainbow Ram from Century Center to Town Commons. Bureau will distribute rainbow sunglasses at the party.
•    Monday, June 28: Pride Book Club will meet virtually from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to talk to fellow book-lovers, LGBTQ+ folks, and allies about Emily Hashimoto’s debut book, A World Between. Get your copy of book from Chapel Hill Public Library, Flyleaf Books or Epilogue Books. Register in advance for the discussion at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtdOmppzouEtU4HMk3KxV34Z-xydOl23Ez  
•    Post your pride to #SmallTownPride #CarrboroPride #ChapelHillPride #PRIDE2021

Additionally, Pride Flags are flying in Hillsborough on Churton, King and Nash streets.

###

Photo - Carrboro Pride Parade in 2019 by Alicia Stemper