Atlanta’s Pride festival wouldn’t be complete without the annual parade, which kicks off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. Each year, the parade draws tens of thousands along the traditional route down Peachtree Street to 10th Street and Piedmont Park.
Organizers say more than 200 entrants have signed on this year, ranging from local nonprofit organizations to politicians, gay-friendly businesses and multi-national corporations.
The grand marshals for the 2012 parade are trans activist Vandy Beth Glenn; Rev. Joshua Noblitt, minister of social justice at Saint Mark United Methodist Church; Jeff Graham, Georgia Equality executive director; Danny Ingram, American Veterans for Equal Rights executive director; Dr. Julie Kubala, senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies for the Women’s Studies Institute at Georgia State University; Anita Rae Strange, “AKA Clermont Blondie”; the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Omega Phi Fraternity, Inc. and drag fundraising troupe The Armorettes.
One of the most popular traditions at Atlanta Pride is the annual Dyke March, set for the afternoon of Saturday, October 13th.
Long a favorite, the Dyke March is a demonstration of the visibility, the political value, and the passion of dykes and all women-identified women, according to Jamie Green-Fergerson, Atlanta Pride’s board of directors vice chair.
“We are a diverse group of marchers, and we march in solidarity with all those who struggle against sexism, homophobia, racism, xenophobia, classism, ableism, fatphobia, transphobia, ageism, and other forms of marginalization,” she said.
The fourth annual Atlanta Pride Trans March steps off Saturday to raise awareness and visibility for the “T” in “LGBT.” Marchers gather at 1:15 p.m. at the Hospitality Center and step off at 1:45 p.m.
The Trans March was started to raise awareness and visibility for transgender and gender non-conforming people both inside and outside the queer community, says Jamie Green-Fergerson, Atlanta Pride’s board of directors vice chair.
“We march through the park as a statement that non-trans LGBTQ people also need to be aware of trans issues and that education needs to start inside our community,” she said. “The Trans March centers the experience of transgender and gender non-conforming people, but partners, parents, children and friends of marchers join us every year.”
New to Atlanta Pride this year and bound to draw some interest as part of the Community Health Expo is YoGaga, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. at the athletic fields at Piedmont Park.
It’s the brainchild of yoga instructor Neda Honarvar, who has started her own studio, Tough Love Yoga, in town. Earlier this year she decided she would like to bring her brand of yoga to more of an LGBT audience.
Honarvar and colleague Garrett Cockayne approached Pride earlier this season and the committee liked the idea.
The Atlanta City Council voted this week to extend the bar hours from Sunday, Oct. 14 at midnight to Monday, Oct. 15 at 2:30 a.m. The measure was led by City Councilmembers Alex Wan and Carla Smith.
Wan, who is gay, says the measure is designed to give Pride attendees a few additional hours to enjoy the city's nightlife.
“We can remove [city ordinance] code every now and again for various reasons,” Wan told GA Voice. “It's far easier to get a waiver for a specific event than a permanent change.”
The sweltering Atlanta heat on Sunday made the name of the first Pure Heat Community Festival quite fitting, but did not dissuade thousands of Black Gay Pride attendees from enjoying a day of live entertainment and celebrating in Piedmont Park.
Organized by Traxx Girls and the non-profit Vision Community Foundation, the first such fest was deemed a success by nearly all in attendance, especially by the community partner organization. The Vision Community Foundation, affiliated with the Vision Church of Atlanta but is a separate entity, does outreach to homeless people, organizes HIV testing, and provides youth mentorship among other community projects.
DJ Sugar Cut, pool parties and more close annual fest
From parties to panel discussions, Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride intends to not only entertain the tens of thousands who descend on the South’s black gay mecca each year over Labor Day weekend, but also inform and empower them.
Each year, party promoters offer revelers a chance to attend everything from upscale cocktail parties to sexy pool parties to down and dirty late night parties that celebrate the uniqueness of being black and gay.
But there is also the annual State of Black Gay America Summit on Sept. 1, this year with the theme “Embracing Our Collective Power to Influence Change,” that will include panel discussions on the Affordable Care Act as well as how to fund progressive organizations and support political allies.
A summertime trip to the amusement park is as American as apple pie.
Rainbow Days at Six Flags Over Georgia returns for a third year with an expanded lineup of events, including a day in the theme park on Aug. 25, complete with a concert featuring ‘80s pop star Tiffany and raunchy gay rapper Cazwell, followed by a Sunday picnic in Piedmont Park.
Carmen Smith, founder of Rainbow Days, hopes to create an event similar to “Gay Days at Disney” for Atlanta.
“I wanted to bring something different to the city,” Smith says. “We need our own day out in the park.”