The upcoming long weekend celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. offers a full slate of community events and nightlife for LGBT Atlantans and allies.
Over the past decade, the Bayard Rustin/Audre Lorde Breakfast has become the hallmark event of MLK Weekend in Atlanta as LGBT activists gather together on Monday morning for food and conversation.
Craig Washington and Darlene Hudson, organizers of the Jan. 21 breakfast, agree the event is known for bringing together a diverse crowd of people to discuss social justice while eating a free breakfast of eggs, bacon and biscuits. It begins at 10 a.m. at St. Mark United Methodist Church, located at 781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308.
The 2013 theme is “Re-Imagine the Dream.” This year there will not be a formal panel, Washington said. Instead, key leaders in the city’s LGBT community will present the theme and “deliver the charge” to attendees, he said.
“We trust that it will motivate more ownership and envisioning of today’s dream for social justice and equality for today’s progressive LGBTQ people and our allies, our beloved community,” Washington said.
“In inviting our folks to re-imagine the dream there is the obvious reference to Dr. King’s vision for equality. However the breakfast prioritizes the social justice and community development work of LGBTQ people, centralizing black and other queer people of color,” he explained.
The breakfast is a time to fill stomachs but also fill minds of people hungry for knowledge and support.
“People experience the breakfast as a safe space to ‘break bread’ together as they learn about precious histories, celebrate today’s movement builders and address matters that are urgent to our survival,” Washington said.
“Year after year, attendees tell us that they most enjoy the discussions at their tables and the fellowship. They love the featured panels and speeches but it is the bonding they enjoy most! I love that and every year we work to meet that need, satisfy that hunger,” he said.
LGBTQ honorary grand marshal for MLK march
Cortez Wright, communications and development associate for SPARK Reproductive Health NOW, will be the honorary LGBTQ grand marshal and speaker on behalf of LGBTQ African Americans at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. march and rally, also on Jan. 21.
The march and rally follows the annual Bayard Rustin/Audre Lorde Breakfast. Following the breakfast, LGBTQ participants will gather at the line-up site on the northeast corner of Peachtree and Ellis streets (same side as Ritz Carlton) at 1:45 p.m. with the MLK March and Rally kicking off at 2 p.m. Immediately following the march, the rally will be held on Auburn Avenue in the King National Park Area.
Party with a purpose for MLK weekend
MLK Weekend is also a weekend of many parties put on by black LGBT promoters. Wassup N ATL plans several parties for men Jan. 17-21 while Traxx Girls promises parties for women who love women. Traxx Atlanta is also planning parties during the weekend and Ladies at Play has booked Tongue & Groove on Jan. 20 for its King weekend party.
Friday, Jan. 18-Sunday, Jan. 20
Rockstars Production celebrates “Achievements in Black” with three days of nightlife events, including the Black Carpet Extravaganza on Friday at the Presidential Room, the Fantasy party on Saturday at 595 North, and the Main Event on Sunday at the Gold Room. www.rockstarsproduction.com.
Friday, Jan. 18-Monday, Jan. 21
As thousands flock to Atlanta to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, WassupNAtl hosts a full line up of parties, including Friday at Legends, Saturday at Scoreboards, Sunday events at Organix and the Freight Depot, and Monday night at Fins. Host hotel is Microtel Inn & Suites. www.wassupnatl.com.
Saturday, Jan. 19
DJ Mary Mac spins for the Secret Party MLK Bash. 10:30 p.m. at Club Rain, 448 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta, GA, www.traxxgirls.com.
Traxx Atlanta hosts the King Weekend Bash, celebrity host still TBA at press time. Doors open at 10 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge.
Sunday, Jan. 20
Celebrate the MLK Jr. holiday weekend with Ladies at Play with DJs E and Lynnee Denise. 10 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. at Tongue and Groove, 565 Main St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.ladiesatplay.com.
Siya hosts the Freedom of Speech party, featuring the DJ Dimples mixtape release and music by DJ Adore. 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Indigo Bar Atlanta, 619 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312.
Monday, Jan. 21
Atlanta’s LGBT community and allies unite to celebrate the MLK Jr. holiday with the Rustin/Lorde Breakfast, a tribute to Bayard Rustin and Audre Lorde. 10 a.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308.
Join LGBT marchers in Atlanta’s citywide Martin Luther King Jr. March and Rally. Assemble at 1:15 p.m., march at 2 p.m. at Peachtree and Baker Streets. www.mlkmarchaaar.org.