The First Annual PrideFest in the Outer Banks Takes Place This Summer

by Christina Dore  (Out Impact on Facebook, Out Impact on Twitter)

The Outer Banks is known for its pristine beaches, beautiful wilderness and for being a hot vacation spot. This year, the Outer Banks will have its very first annual PrideFest (Facebook, Twitter) this summer, to welcome locals and tourists with three days of music and entertainment from the LGBT community. The Gay OBX, a community and website that gives tips on gay-friendly accommodations, restaurants, nightlife joints and local events, will be hosting this “3 day celebration of family, friendship, music and laughter with the picturesque beauty of Old Nags Head and the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.”

David Miller, one of the founders of The Gay OBX, knew that in the summer of 2010, it was time to throw the first PrideFest in the area. While the majority of the Outer Banks maybe lean more toward conservative, Miller assures that the gay community here is strong and plenty, whether its OBX natives or visiting tourists.

“There’s not going to be a parade or anything like that. This area is very traditional, family values and we didn’t want to start that and just throw that in people’s faces.”

Of course, controversy has followed since the announcing and planning for OBX PrideFest. Other than individual complaints within the community, a vocal Baptist church has denounced the upcoming extravaganza, and there is evidence of someone filing a protest permit to coincide with the event. There have also been haughty accusations that the inclusion of children’s games during the festivals is a method to lure children under some sort of agenda.

Despite the naysayers, Miller and the gay community staunchly stand by the festival, and Miller even remarks that even with the protests, the OBX area is “changing rapidly and steering to positive change.”

The OBX PrideFest will take place June 24-26 and will feature a sunset cruise and 20 entertainers, including singer/songwriter Eric Himan, Britney Spears impersonator Derrick Barry, Las Vegas puppeteer Jerry Halliday and more. An itinerary and tickets ($75 for all three days) are available on http://www.obxpridefest.com/.

For helpful information on finding gay-friendly events and locations in the Outer Banks, visit http://www.thegayobx.com/.

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Christina Dore

Christina Dore graduated with a BFA in Creative Writing and a Certificate in Professional Writing at UNCW in 2008. She presently writes for encore Magazine, Performer Magazine and has written for The Beat Magazine in 2010. She is also assistant manager, head bartender and blog/Facebook maintainer for The Juggling Gypsy Entertainment Parlor. Projects and organizations she has been/is involved in include Art Soup, PRIDE/Allies, Food Not Bombs, Be Yr Own Hero, etc. Her interests include writing, improving literacy, social issues, activism, community building, radical mental health, planning fun events and promoting the arts, locally or globally.

Latest posts by Christina Dore (see all)

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