Out! Raleigh 2013

After Barack Obama spoke about innovation and economy at North Carolina State University in 2013, many speakers at Out! Raleigh that year gave equally as inspiring messages of pride and glory. Ashley Broadway, a proud military wife who was voted Military Spouse of the Year at Fort Bragg gave the keynote speech. Ashley is married to Colonel Heather Mack. What power that has. What access that has. What strength that has. The festival line-up that year included an array of talent and talented achievers. Artists like A Tin Djinn and Someone’s Sister made their return to the festival stage. And newer acts like I Was Totally Destroying it (out of Chapel Hill) made their festival debut. 

    And speaking of debuts, The Triangle Gay Men’s chorus sang festival goers into a tizzy that year for the first time. The chorus aims to present a positive image of the community while giving gay men a space to explore and express their talents. The leadership team became more organized and larger with volunteers, passionately exciting fun spaces like the KidsZone, and Vendor Booths. 

    That year flags flew and love did too. The festival in 2013 was filled with color and camaraderie.