The Triangle area of NC has a very active and vibrant GLBT community despite being known nationally as the "Jesse Helms' state" for so many years! A number of years ago, Durham was voted by "OUT" magazine as one of the top 10 places to live in America for lesbians. Ladyslipper Music, an internationally renowned distributor of women's music has been based in Durham since its founding in 1976. Also, there are many active LGBT organizations affiliated with Duke University in Durham. Duke's East Campus has served for several years as the site for the annual NC Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade and Festival.

The historic neighborhoods surrounding Duke's East Campus are served by numerous gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses and this area is known to have many LGBT residents who have steadily renovated and improved the homes here.  It is also a diverse area to live with a very welcoming and accepting atmosphere. Downtown Durham is a popular area for gay residents with its emerging warehouse district. Many old tobacco warehouses and other historic downtown buildings are being renovated into loft-style apartments and condos, shops and social spaces with the support of Downtown Durham, Inc. and the Historic Preservation Society of Durham. Downtown Durham is home to Manbites Dog Theater where you can catch a gay-themed play or come to the beautifully renovated Carolina Theater for the Gay and Lesbian Film Fest. This annual weekend of movies began small, but has grown to the largest festival of its kind in the southeast region.

Chapel Hill and Carrboro (communities which are literally right next door to one another as you drive down the street) both have a strong reputation for their liberal politics and acceptance of the GLBT community. Both communities have domestic partner registration and town employees receive domestic partner benefits. The town of Carrboro has twice elected its openly gay mayor, Mike Nelson and has also served as a host site for the NC Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade and Festival. There are a number of gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses and restaurants along Chapel Hill's Franklin Street and Carrboro's Main Street. Don't miss the twice weekly farmer's market in Carrboro's Town Square. The University of NC at Chapel Hill (also referred to as "Carolina") has many active LGBT student and alumni groups. UNC's mission statement includes a commitment to "enhance the quality of life of all people in the state" and the university provost has taken the initiative in creating a committee to examine the University's success in meeting this service mission with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Raleigh is the state's bustling capital so government and politics are a large and visible presence here. The largest of the the Triangle's towns, Raleigh is the home of North Carolina's gay and lesbian political action group, EqualityNC. This organization has been instrumental in advancing the political cause of the state's GLBT community for many years. Five Points, a neighborhood in central Raleigh, is very popular for its historic homes as well as the Rialto Theater which shows many gay-themed movies. White Rabbit Books & Things as well as a number of gay bars are located downtown in Raleigh. Don't miss the many offerings at NC State University and the JC Raulston Arboretum. Pullen Park, located at the campus, is a favorite among local LGBT groups gathering for potlucks or family outings.

There are many Triangle-wide organizations and gay-owned or gay-friendly businesses. For more information about all of these, refer to our GLBT Community Resource Directory.