The Savannah City Council voted unanimously last week to authorize the city manager to implement a domestic partner program for city employees. The vote was approved by the nine-member council at its Oct. 7 meeting.
Kevin Clark, chair of the Savannah chapter of Georgia Equality, said about 25 LGBT community activists attended the meeting.
“There was an outburst of enthusiastic applause after the vote,” he said shortly after the vote. “This is a historic and proud day for the city of Savannah.”
Crystal Parker was found in her upstairs bedroom, dead with a gunshot to her head. Charged in her killing is her ex-partner, Danielle Parker.
Crystal Park was a corporal with the East Point Police Department and her death made headlines across the nation. But what exactly led up to the killing over the July Fourth weekend will only be known to the two women, who, according to their friends, had recently broken up.
The Fulton County Police Department is being tightlipped about the investigation and will only say the two were roommates, without acknowledging they were a couple at press time on July 30.
Heavy rain showers did not deter revelers from turning out in record numbers at Forsyth Park for Savannah’s Pride celebration last Saturday.
“The rain began, and people were undeterred, they relished in it, had fun, danced, and overall it made for an even more dynamic and exciting Pride festival than I could have ever imagined,” said Savannah Pride President Chris Brown. “The crowds stayed, through the rain, watched the rainbow that rain brought, and stuck around through the end of the night.”
Early estimates based on ticket sales show that roughly 10,000 people attended this year’s Savannah Pride celebration, which is more than double last year, said Brown, who added that the record numbers were a “testament to the amount of community support we've received not only from the LGBT community here, but from the entire Savannah community as a whole.”
Organizers estimate more than 4,000 revelers turned out for the 12th annual Savannah Pride festival on Saturday, even though this year marked the first time the festival charged attendees a $5 admission fee for those 16 and older.
Though the numbers are not yet finalized, Savannah Pride Executive Director Heather Byars said that this year is competing for record attendance with 2006 – the year that drew thousands to see performer Kimberly Locke.
“Pride has financially struggled over the past couple of years with the impact of the economy affecting many of our corporate sponsorship opportunities and community support at large,” Byars said. “To see the number of people inside the park, and the line wrapped around the park sidewalk of those paying their way in … I knew we were going to pull off this year in a positive way.”
Savannah Pride marks its 12th year on Saturday with its annual festival that attracts hundreds to the city's famous Forsyth Park for entertainment and community. A "March for Equality" organized by Act Out Savannah will also be held Sunday through the downtown streets of the historic city.
This year's Savannah Pride fest celebrates "Empowering Equality Through Pride" and includes live entertainment all day on the main stage of the park. Organizers say more than 40 local businesses, churches and elected officials will be on hand at the festival to show support of LGBT Savannah residents.
A major change also takes place this year — the fest is no longer free and a $5 admission for those 16 and older will be taken from a gated area of the park.
"Change for equality among all people does not happen overnight, nor does it change by taking the silent seat in the back,” said Heather Byars, executive director of Savannah Pride, in a prepared statement.
Savannah’s first Queer Power March made history with hundreds of people marching down the streets in the city’s historic district, chanting and holding signs seeking marriage equality, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and domestic partner benefits for Savannah city employees.
Organized by Jesse Morgan, who was a volunteer for Atlanta’s MondoHomo annual fest, and Laura Cahill, the march on Sept. 10 attracted a diverse crowd of people — there were a couple on motorcycles, many people on bicycles, and most walking down the streets as tourists took photos and employees of shops along the route stood outside and cheered. There were young children, elderly men, and several families as well.
The march began in Johnson Square, the city’s oldest, most historic square, and ended at Ellis Square where a rally with several speakers was held.