When the Glitter Settles: Thank You from New Bern Pride

It’s that time of year again: Prom is over, the glitter starts to settle, “Pink Pony Club” starts playing a little less, and Pride Month begins to come to a close.

But just because the music may be getting a little quieter, and queer folks and allies alike are reaching for the Tylenol and Gatorade, that does not mean Pride is stopping.

Not now. Not ever.

If anything, this is the perfect time to reflect on the people, businesses, organizations, and volunteers who helped make Pride Prom what it was. Pride Prom is not possible because of one person, one board, or one night of celebration. It is possible because of an entire community of people who choose to show up, give back, and stand beside us publicly when that support matters more than ever.

Each of our sponsors made a difference. Not only for Pride Prom, but for New Bern and Eastern North Carolina as a whole. Their support helped create a space where queer folks could feel celebrated, seen, safe, and supported.

For that, New Bern Pride extends our deepest gratitude to the following sponsors:

Our Title Sponsor, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of New Bern, as well as Weyerhaeuser, Thompson Homes Real Estate Group, Moen, Studio Aquarius, Joy and Light, Marz Aerial Arts and Fitness, the Aaron and Virginia Fitt Foundation, The Flying Fox, Democracy North Carolina, Peace Counseling Center, Drip IV, Kate MacDonald Therapy and Wellness, Inner Source Therapy, Neuse River Region Association of Realtors, Crystal Coast Massage & Wellness, New Bern Good News, and Bison Ink.

Many of these names can also be found on our Safe Space Directory on the New Bern Pride website, where businesses and organizations continue to show their commitment to creating welcoming and affirming spaces in our community.

We’d also like to thank our private donors: Steve Skiffington, Rev. Dr. Anna Pinckney Straight, Rev. Paul Canady, Brittany White, Lindsay & Winnie Smith, Michelle Garren-Flye, Matt Herman, and of course Kelly Hoenig, founder of the Kai Fund. 

Pride Prom would not have been possible without the people who gave their time, energy, creativity, and care behind the scenes.

We want to give shout out to our Prom leadership team: Prom Chair (and board member) Katie, Volunteer Coordinator Jessica C., Vendor Fair Coordinator Jessica B., Volunteer Security Coordinator John G., Fundraising Volunteer Monique S., and Graphic Designer Eleanor Q.

We also want to recognize Elizabeth H. and Angela E. for going above and beyond in their volunteer duties, as well as every volunteer who took the time to show up and come out… pun very much intended… to help make Pride Prom a celebration and a success.

From setup to cleanup, from check-in tables to vendor spaces, from security to fundraising, from graphics, to all the tiny details guests may never see, our volunteers helped bring the night to life. Every hour given mattered. Every task completed mattered. Every person who stepped in helped make the room feel more welcoming, more joyful, and more possible.

As Pride Month comes to a close, we want to remind our community that New Bern Pride is always looking for supporters, donors, and future board members who are willing to help build the kind of community we saw at Pride Prom. 

Because when people step up, we are able to keep stepping out.

We are able to create more events, offer more support, build more connections, and continue making space for queer folks in New Bern and beyond.

So, on behalf of New Bern Pride, thank you.

Thank you to our sponsors.Thank you to our volunteers.Thank you to our board.Thank you to every person who showed up, came out, danced, laughed, supported, donated, shared a post, brought a friend, or simply chose to be present.

Because of y’all, Pride Prom 2026 was possible.

And because of y’all, Pride does not end when June does.

We are still here. Still queer. Still building. Still celebrating.

And we are stronger together!

Bell Dombrowski, Board President