After Atlanta Pride was held in Piedmont Park for most of its 40-year history, Pride was forced to move in 2008 when city officials booted large festivals from the park due to a massive drought.
Held over July Fourth weekend at the Civic Center, Pride attendance and finances suffered. The festival moved back to Piedmont Park for 2009, but over Halloween, to get around city policies that limited festivals in the summer season. Last year, for its 40th anniversary, Pride was held again in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day and the Atlanta Pride Committee made plans to keep the festival in October but to also hold celebrations in June to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that kicked off the modern day LGBT equality movement.
The full schedule:
Saturday, June 18
East Point Possums Show
Outdoor charity drag show
Presented by: The East Point Possums
Location: Downtown East Point
Site opens 7:30p.m., show begins at 8 p.m.
Free event
All tips and donations benefit Atlanta Pride & Positive Impact
Wednesday, June 22
StoryCorps: Out and OutLoud
A celebration of stories from the LGBTQ community
Presented by: WABE, Radial Café, and the Atlanta Pride Committee
Location: The Phillip Rush Center (1530 Dekalb Ave NE, Suite A, Atlanta GA 30307)
Doors open 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7 p.m.
Host: John Lemley from WABE’s City Cafe
Free event
Thursday, June 23
7th Annual Evening for Equality
Featuring the Equality Awards & Silent Auction
Presented by: Georgia Equality
Location: The Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
Doors open 6 p.m. VIP, 7 p.m. general admission
Additional details, including honorees and ticket prices TBA
Friday, June 24
Pride Seder
A spiritual celebration of the LGBTQ liberation movement
Presented by: Congregation Bet Haverim
Location: Central Congregational UCC (2676 Clairmont Road NE, Atlanta 30329)
Service begins at 6:30pm
Free event
Saturday, June 25
2nd Annual Sylvia Rivera Stonewall Community Event
Event featuring fellowship, food and a panel discussion with transgender community members.
Presented by: Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, TILTT, and the Atlanta Pride
Committee
Location: The Phillip Rush Center (1530 Dekalb Ave. NE, Suite A, Atlanta GA 30307)
Doors open 11:30 a.m., program at noon
Free event, $5 suggested donation
Additional details, including panel discussion topic TBA
Official Stonewall Celebration Party
An evening of performances and music to commemorate Stonewall
Presented by: Jungle Club Atlanta
Location: Jungle Club Atlanta (2115 Faulkner Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324)
Doors open 6 p.m.
18+ Event
Additional details, including cover charge and DJ TBA
Sunday, June 26
Brunch & A Movie
Viewing of “March On!” with food and cocktails
Presented by: Out on Film and the Atlanta Pride Committee
Location: The Phillip Rush Center (1530 Dekalb Ave. NE, Suite A, Atlanta GA 30307)
Additional details, including ticket price TBA
These events are subject to change and additional events may be added. Visit www.atlantapride.org for updates.
Top photo: The East Point Possums Show attracts hundreds of people to downtown East Point for an amazing drag show that kicks of this year’s Stonewall Celebration. (by Dyana Bagby)