If you’re out and about in Charlotte tonight, look up at the Uptown skyline toward the Duke Energy Center. The high rise — known for its colorful light displays — is lit up in celebration of National Coming Out Day.
The iconic green, purple and yellow were specially requested by Denise Davis of Charlotte-based Metropolis Branding. In the spring, she won a gift at a silent auction giving her a special private event at the Bechtler Museum. Part of the package included the ability to choose the Duke Center’s lights for the evening.
Given an arbitrary, available date of Oct. 11, Davis researched its significance as National Coming Out Day.
“I really wanted to pay homage to the original logo that was developed in 1988,” Davis said. “As a huge fan of Keith Haring, it was clear to me that this would be my creative inspiration. My first design was too complex (included colors rotating around the building) for a private request, so the next design is static but still very unique and meaningful for the Charlotte skyline. Hoping the colors turn out!”
Early on Saturday, Davis was worried the rain might cloud the light display’s view, but the weather has so far broken for a clear view of the Duke Energy Center.
Davis also said Friday’s ruling striking down North Carolina’s anti-LGBT amendment brings special meaning to the lights.
“Now with the great news from yesterday, it certainly feels like all this was meant to happen,” she said. “When the Charlotte community looks up at the skyscraper tonight, we would like them to understand what these colors mean and bring awareness to this now international holiday observed in many countries such as Australia, Canada, Croatia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland and the UK.”
Davis’ company is holding their event at the Bechtler tonight, too. She’s invited many of her clients, and designed matching uplighting in the event space to match the National Coming Out Day theme on the Duke Center.