Ben Cohen, an England World Cup winner and athletic star, teams up with gay rugby team the Atlanta Bucks to launch his "The Acceptance Tour 2011" to fight homophobia.
Cohen, who is straight, is considered a gay icon and has thousands of gay fans. He is the first straight professional athlete to make LGBT equality his top public priority and has recently spoken out against bullying as part of the "It Gets Better Campaign."
"The Acceptance Tour 2011" is in support of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
“We are incredibly honored that Ben has chosen Atlanta to launch his first US tour,” said Gary Durden, president of Atlanta Bucks RFC, in a statement. “As one of the first gay rugby teams in the US, we have long advocated for more inclusion in the world of sports. Having a champion like Ben Cohen stand up with us and for us is amazing.”
Despite a heavy downpour at the height of Savannah Pride on Saturday, hundreds of people celebrating being gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender didn't let the weather damper their spirits to celebrate the 11th annual fest.
Cindy Ussery, 40, of Milledgeville, was holding her sleeping grandson, Jackson, age 20 months.
"This is his first Pride," she said. Ussery was there with her partner, Stacie McCant, 38. Jackson't tiny t-shirt read "I love my nanas."
"We've never been to Savannah Pride. We've been to Atlanta Pride," McCant said. Although they were soaked in the heavy rain that fell mid-afternoon, they said they wanted to stay for the full fest.
Despite a heavy downpour at the height of Savannah Pride on Saturday, hundreds of people celebrated being gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender