Equality North Carolina, one of the nation’s oldest statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, is inviting supporters from across the state to celebrate 47 years of organizing, advocacy and community at The Ga(y)la on Saturday, September 19, at the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Durham.
For 47 years, Equality NC has worked alongside LGBTQ+ North Carolinians to build a state where everyone can live openly, safely and authentically. The Ga(y)la is both a celebration of that work and a chance to invest in what comes next.
“The Ga(y)la is our biggest celebration of the year, but it’s also one of the biggest ways we fund our work,” said Eliazar Posada-Orozco, executive director of Equality NC. “Every ticket helps us organize in communities across North Carolina, support pro-equality candidates, and make sure LGBTQIA+ voices are heard at every level of government.”
The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, with a kick off at 6 p.m., continuing through 9:30 p.m. The party will take place at the 21c Museum Hotel located in the heart of center city Durham at 111 Corcoran Street, the 21c Museum Hotel merges contemporary art with boutique hospitality. Inhabiting the historic Art Deco Hill Building (it was first opened to the public in 1937), the 125-room destination hotel functions as a 24-hour public museum. Guests can enjoy site-specific exhibitions, a converted bank vault gallery and fuchsia penguins. When you’re not attending the Ga(y)la, you’ll want to return for dining at the acclaimed Counting House restaurant.
Guests can expect an evening of contemporary art, great food, music and community while helping fuel Equality NC’s year-round work across the state.
Proceeds support Equality NC’s statewide organizing, voter engagement, public education, advocacy at the General Assembly and efforts to elect pro-equality leaders across North Carolina.
For more details and information on tickets and sponsorship information, visit
https://givebutter.com/equality-nc-gayla-2026.
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