Good grief of the day: Letter writer accuses Columbus Pride of ‘flaunting aberrant lifestyle choice’
In survey after survey and poll after poll, the results always show the younger generation of Americans is much more accepting of LGBT issues, such as marriage equality, than their elders.
And so we know that in time those on the wrong side of history will also be on the wrong side of the ground. (As in buried.)
What started as simple house parties and picnics more than two decades ago is now one of the largest Black Gay Pride events in the world.
More than 60,000 people are expected to descend on Atlanta over Labor Day weekend for Black Pride. Party promoters pack the clubs with celebrity guests and the popular Sunday in Piedmont Park, which began as an organic gathering of people each year, is now the place to go for the official Pure Heat Community Festival.
Last year was the first time that party promoters Traxx Girls and the Vision Community Foundation teamed up to host the festival in the park that included food and merchandise vendors, live entertainment and a crowd of thousands to enjoy it all.
Overnight temperatures in the 50s gave way to a sunny, comfortable setting for Athens’ Pride Picnic, held Sunday, Sept. 9 at Lake Herrick Pavillion.
The picnic has been held each year since 1998. Before 2011, Athens Pride was limited to a cookout in April. The full Athens Pride weekend in its current form took shape last year.
For 2012, Athens Pride events ranged from a reception hosted by GLOBES, the University of Georgia’s LGBT faculty/staff group, to bowling, an artist showcase, nightlife parties, a church service and a commitment ceremony.
June might be National LGBT Pride Month, but fall is when Pride season really heats up in Georgia. In addition to Black Gay Pride in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend, four areas around the state host Pride events in September, followed by the massive Atlanta Pride in October.
The second annual Athens Pride Weekend, set for Sept. 6-9, features several events rather than one large festival. It launches Sept. 6 with the 18th annual GLOBES reception at the University of Georgia and an after-party, and concludes Sunday, Sept. 9, with a Pride church service at Our Hope MCC, a commitment ceremony, a Pride picnic at Lake Herrick Pavilion at UGA, and a cabaret.
The same weekend, Savannah Pride pulls out all the stops for the city’s 13th annual Pride Fest, planned for noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, in Forsyth Park.