The Durham community came together recently to kick off a week of celebration during Pride: Durham, NC 2026. Hosted by the LGBTQ Center of Durham, this year’s event centered on the theme, "Always Forward, Never Straight: Preserving History, Coming Home." Duke showed its support at the event’s Pride Vendor & Food Truck Rodeo held at Durham Central Park on September 27.
The event featured more than 40 food trucks and 60 community vendors offering food, resources, and information to attendees. Six Duke groups were among the vendors: Duke Gender Care Clinic, Duke Dermatology, LGBTQ Family Medicine Home, Duke PrEP Clinic, ARISE, and the Department of Integrative Immunobiology.
Sarah Wolfe, MD, associate professor of dermatology and vice chair for culture, engagement, and impact for dermatology, has participated in Pride: Durham with Duke Dermatology for the past three years. The department hands out hats and sunscreen to promote skin cancer prevention, and Wolfe said returning attendees often seek out the booth, particularly for the hats.
But beyond sharing sun-protection swag, Wolfe said participating in Pride is an opportunity for Duke Dermatology to build connections and show its commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all.
“It's important for us to show up at events like this because this is our community,” she said. “We want to make sure we build the trust and the relationships that promote what's important in healthcare for all of our communities, even outside of the walls of Duke.”
Wolfe said Duke Dermatology’s presence at Pride takes on added importance given the challenges the LGBTQ+ community has faced in recent years.
“We look forward to Pride as a chance to remind individuals that our aim to support and celebrate LGBTQ+ members is unwavering.”
Other Pride events throughout the week included a sexual health open house, family picnic, and bike ride. The celebration will close out with a parade on October 3, with Duke Health and the Duke Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity joining the festivities with a float.
Matt Talhelm is a senior media relations strategist for Duke Health External Relations
Duke Health at Durham PRIDE
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Jessica Oxendine, Sarah Wolfe, MD, and Megan Mukenge, MD, representing Duke Dermatology at Pride: Durham, NC 2026. -
Dermatology Resident Monty Junejo, MD, (left) hands out sunscreen to community members. -
Carly Kelley, MD, MPH; Susan Thornton; Nick Wagner; Beckett West; and Deanna Adkins, MD, representing the Duke Gender Care Clinic at Pride: Durham, NC 2026. -
Dominique Ellerbee, Valery Arevalo, and Jasmine Fouche, RN, share resources at the Duke PrEP Clinic booth during Pride: Durham, NC 2026. -
Richard Frothingham, MD, Department of Medicine, sharing resources with community members.