North Carolina’s first gay and lesbian march, held in Durham in 1981, soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The marker commemorating “Our Day Out” will be unveiled Saturday, Oct. 3, at 501 W. Main St. in Durham, near the Museum of Durham History.
In the early 1980s, Durham’s LGBTQ+ community faced discrimination, violence and social ostracism. The April 1981 brutal attack on Ronald “Sonny” Antonovitch and three others, which resulted in Antonovitch’s death and was considered a hate crime motivated by his assumed sexual orientation, galvanized local activists and highlighted the dangers faced by LGBTQ+ people.
In response to the tragedy, activists Debbie Swanner and David Ransom organized “Our Day Out,” which took place June 27, 1981. The march began at Five Points Plaza in downtown Durham and proceeded through key areas of the city, including a loop around the courthouse where a vigil for Antonovitch had been held.
The event drew approximately 300 participants who marched, chanted, sang and spoke in support of LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. For many, participating carried significant personal risks, including potential job loss, eviction and violence. Some marchers wore paper bags over their heads to conceal their identities, reflecting the fear and stigma associated with being openly LGBTQ+ at the time.
“Our Day Out” brought the LGBTQ+ community into public view and demonstrated the importance of collective action in advocating for equality and recognition. The march laid the groundwork for Durham’s first Pride March in 1986, a tradition that continues today.
For more information about the historical marker, please visit the “Our Day Out” blog entry, or call (919) 814-6625.
The Highway Historical Marker Program is a collaboration between the N.C. departments of Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.