The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) announced today (July 1) that the 2020 Pride Festival, originally scheduled for October 10 and 11, will not be held in person due to the coronavirus pandemic. The in-person festival, one of the largest in the Southeast, will move online with virtual programming centered around the scheduled dates in October.
“We regret to announce that we will not be able to hold the 2020 Pride Festival in person, due to the ongoing pandemic,” said Jamie Fergerson, the executive director of the Atlanta Pride Committee. “The health and wellbeing of our community is always our top priority, especially for the most marginalized in our community including queer and transgender folks who we know are less likely to have access to safe and competent primary care, LGBTQ elders, those living with HIV, cancer, or immunodeficiencies who are at increased risk. This was the main factor in our decision.”
The APC is currently in the process of planning a variety of virtual events that will be held throughout the rest of the year to maintain community engagement. Market and parade registrants will be contact within the next week about what steps they need to take.
“By moving the Atlanta Pride Festival online, we will ensure that LGBTQ people can still experience the joy and togetherness of our 50th Annual Pride Festival, and we hope to welcome new people to take part in wherever they are,” Fergerson continued. “We will continue to develop online programs throughout the year, culminating in our first virtual Pride Festival to bring us together to celebrate.”
Atlanta is the latest city nationwide to move its Pride festival online. Cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco hosted virtual Prides this month, and more than 500 Pride organizations around the world participated in the 24-hour virtual Global Pride stream last Saturday (June 27).
More details about Atlanta’s virtual Pride festival will be announced soon.