Upcoming LGBT events in Atlanta

Atlanta Pride

Less than a month away Atlanta’s 41st annual Pride Festival, scheduled for October 8-9, has set its complete schedule of events. During the weeks and days leading up to Pride weekend are dozens of parties and events dubbed “Stride into Pride.” The AIDS vigil on October 5, the Commitment Ceremony on October 6 and the Kickoff party at the GA Aquarium on October 7 are just a few of those. For a complete calendar of “Stride into Pride” visit our website at www.thegavoice.com or Pride’s website at www.atlantapride.org.

Atlanta Pride and GA Voice have teamed up this year for “The Big Gay Giveaway,” a raffle whose top prize includes two free round-trip tickets from Delta for Atlanta or anywhere in the US, two free nights at the W Midtown, and more than $1,000 in gift cards to local Atlanta retailers. Second prize is a 7-day cruise from West Palm Beach to the Bahamas with four nights on the island and two nights aboard ship. Go to www.atlantapride.org to purchase your $20 raffle tickets. Winners will be announced at the Festival on October 9 and you do not have to be present to win.

The 2011 Festival Market is already sold out but there is a waiting list if you want to try for a booth. The marketplace is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is not too late to become a sponsor, at any level. Corporate sponsorships begin at $5,000 and small business partners can choose from a variety of levels that best suits their needs starting at $500. If you are interested in a sponsorship fill out the online form at www.atlantapride.org. A Pride sponsorship, at any level, or a booth will get your business maximum exposure as thousands gather in Piedmont Park for one of the largest Prides in the U.S.

Out on Film

The 24th Annual Out on Film Festival is set for September 29-October 6 at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. Drama, comedy, romance, documentaries and the supernatural, all with a gay twist, are on tap for this entertaining week of movies. Join us on Wednesday, October 5, for GA Voice night at Out on Film and see “Wish Me Away,” a documentary of Chely Wright, the first country music star to come out in an industry not exactly friendly to gay folk. Also, “Private Romeo” will air that night, a love story set inside a military academy. The entire night is considered to be one of the strongest of the week. For a complete schedule of films and to purchase tickets go to www.outonfilm.org.