As we celebrate a decade of bringing a voice to the Atlanta LGBTQ community, we think it’s important to highlight some of the notable moments over the past ten years. From politics to entertainment, we’ve been there every step of the way covering what matters the most: your voice!
September 2009
The Atlanta Police Department’s Red Dog Unit raids the Atlanta Eagle, an action later deemed unconstitutional. The city later settled with patrons of the bar for $1 million and promised to change procedures.
October 2009
Atlanta Pride returns to Piedmont Park and is held for the first time in October. The Trans March becomes a part of the fest.
November 2009
Southern Voice shuts down after the collapse of parent company Window Media. The team behind Southern Voice soon formed Georgia Voice in its place.
January 2010
Simone Bell becomes first openly lesbian African-American woman to be elected to the Georgia General Assembly.
June 2011
House member Rashad Taylor comes out, becoming the first male, openly gay member of the Georgia House of Representatives.
January 2012
Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse closes down.
April 2014
A pair of anti-LGBTQ so-called “religious freedom” bills failed to pass in the state legislature.
April 2014
Lambda Legal files a lawsuit on behalf of nine plaintiffs challenging Georgia’s same-sex marriage ban.
January 2015
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed fires Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran after Cochran published an anti-LGBTQ book. Cochran later filed suit against the city and became the face of so-called “religious freedom” bills.
March 2015
Georgia Voice unveils new logo after five years of covering the Atlanta LGBTQ community.
April 2015
Senate Bill 129, an anti-LGBT so-called “religious freedom” bill authored by state Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus), fails to pass before the end of the legislative session.
June 2015
Georgia celebrates as the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down same-sex marriage bans nationwide. The state of Georgia followed the law and marriages proceeded across the state, and Atlanta’s LGBTQ community congregated at the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue to celebrate well into the night.
March 2016
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoes House Bill 757, a controversial anti-LGBTQ so-called “religious freedom” bill that passed both chambers of the legislature and caused a national backlash.
August 2016
Beloved drag performer Diamond Lil passes away at age 80.
February 2018
The Senate passes SB 375, which calls for allowing private adoption agencies receiving state funds to deny adoptions for certain couples or individual parents based on sincerely held religious beliefs. It does not make it through the house.
May 2018
Soon after taking office, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appoints an LGBTQ advisory board to help shape the city’s policies and engagements with Atlanta’s LGBTQ communities, and serve as a bridge between City Hall and LGBTQ residents.
March 2019
After nearly a decade of covering the LGBTQ community, Georgia Voice updates its logo and layout for print and online versions.
May 2019
Atlanta’s favorite gay male strip club Swinging Richards has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after five dancers sued for unpaid wages.