Queering Durham with Stormie Daie

“People don't know that Durham has always been a Black Mecca… and people don't know about the gay and queer history that is also here in Durham.  Durham is overlooked because we are in the South and because people don't want to give the South credit.”-Stormie DaieThis MIGHT be my favorite episode of the whole podcast so far… Do I say that every time? I’m not sure, but this time I’m for real lol. In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, I hang with Stormie Daie, a non-binary, black femme drag performer and educator living in Durham. I first met Stormie during an art exhibition I did in 2022 where she hosted a virtual Drag Queen Story Hour in collaboration with the show. Since then, I’ve discovered more of their power as a local legend with her impact and visuals seen everywhere. In fact, her face adorns the likes of the education garden in the Duke Gardens and the bar, Pinhook. In our chat, Stormie serves as a local griot. She speaks passionately about the historical significance of Durham as a cultural and queer hub, emphasizing the importance of archiving community history and the need for more inclusive spaces in the city. We also dig into Stormie's background in performance and drag, her experiences in various educational and nonprofit roles, and her aspirations for Durham's future as a community.Throughout the episode, I remained in awe at Stormie’s deep understanding of culture (this one’s for the theater nerds!) and history and how they tie together. I had an excellent time communing with them and find this episode not only interesting to listen to, but one you’ll definitely want a pen and paper nearby for to look up all of their references. If you're interested in:* The rich history and significance of Durham's queer community* The transformative power of drag performance and education* Strategies for building more inclusive spaces in your local communityThen this episode is a must-listen! You can find it on Substack, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment - I’d love to hear what resonated with you most in this episode. 💕Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyConnect with Stormie Daie:StormieDaie.comhttps://www.instagram.com/stormiedaie/ Connect with me:https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/alyssacuffie.comwomanifestomag.comAdditional Details:Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon GrantRecorded at Queeny's in Durham Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe