A new historical marker in downtown Durham recognizes North Carolina’s first LGBTQ+ Pride march, an event that grew out of a violent 1981 attack and helped shape decades of organizing in the state.
The marker, unveiled on Main Street near the Museum of Durham History on October 3, commemorates “Our Day Out,” a June 27, 1981, demonstration that brought hundreds of people into downtown Durham to protest anti-gay violence and demand equal treatment.
The march followed an April 12 attack at Little River, a swimming area north of Durham known as a gathering place for gay men. Four men were assaulted, and one of them, Ronald Antonovitch, died three days later. The attack galvanized LGBTQ+ residents and allies, who gathered outside the Durham County Courthouse to demand justice.
Michael Penny, who survived the attack, described how two men prepared tree limbs to use as clubs before confronting him near the swimming area.
“They said, ‘You’re going to that queer water hole,’” Penny told ABC11. “‘You need to leave here and never come back.’ And when I turned around, they started clubbing me.”
Activists Debbie Swanner and David Ransom organized “Our Day Out” for June 27, 1981. According to the state’s historical account, approximately 300 people participated, marching from Five Points Plaza through downtown Durham. Some covered their faces with paper bags, a reminder of the risks associated with being publicly identified as LGBTQ+ at the time.
The march was not the beginning of LGBTQ+ activism in Durham, but it marked a significant public demonstration of solidarity. Durham began holding an annual Pride march in 1986, building on the organizing that followed the Little River attack.
“It was wonderful that the community stood up for us. That was a very positive thing,” said Penny. “It was the silver lining of that experience.”
Durham historian Whitney Barkley Denney encountered the story while researching local history and began looking for records and firsthand accounts. Her work helped bring renewed attention to the attack and the community response that followed.
“This was really a pivotal point where Durham sort of decided that we were going to be the city of progress that we remain today,” Denney told ABC11.
The historical marker places that history in a visible downtown location, rather than at Little River, where the attack occurred. Its unveiling during the 45th anniversary year of “Our Day Out” also draws attention to the people whose experiences and organizing helped establish Durham’s Pride tradition.
For Penny, the recognition brings the story back to the neighbors who rallied after the attack. “It made me very proud of my city.”
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
