Atlanta’s Pride
Every October the Atlanta Pride Committee has one of the largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ people in the nation. This year’s celebration brought in over 300,000 people to celebrate National Coming Out Day, which is also in October.
Wonderful People
Atlanta’s Pride Celebration is not only a gathering of queer individuals, but also a chance to talk with new people. It is rare to find someone at Atlanta’s Festival who is in a bad mood. One attendant, 24-year-old Cassie from Atlanta said that “everyone talks to everyone” during the celebration. Located in Piedmont Park, booths are set up from vendors and organizations eager to show that they support their LGBTQ+ community. People walk through the paths draped in the colors of their orientation. People stop at booths even if they aren’t going to make a purchase, simply to tell the vendors that their merchandise is beautiful!
In the center of the park, people set up lawn chairs and umbrellas, listening to concerts by both local and well-known artists. This year featured a Kesha concert, kicking off at 9 at night. Kesha, a vocal LGBTQ+ ally, gave her concert in the park green, attracting many patrons to cheer and jump along with the music.
Walking through the Streets
Scattered throughout the day on Saturday were the Trans March, Bi and Pan March, and the Dyke March, which focuses on empowering women of all orientations. People who decide to participate in these marches (all are welcome to) crowd the streets of Atlanta for the one weekend a year that they can proudly flaunt their orientations. The more famous and well-known Atlanta Pride Parade takes place on Sunday. You can march in the parade or simply view it from the sidelines.
With so many amazing people participating in this, it is clear to see why attendants love the celebration. Cassie stated that “the people make Pride.” The atmosphere of acceptance, pride, and celebration of who you are brings out the best in people. The air of Pride is filled to bursting with compliments from strangers to strangers, laughter, and the easy comfort of being able to be who you are without hiding.
The People who Make it Happen
The Atlanta Pride Committee, founded in 1970, has been making a difference since they started. One year after the Stonewall Riots in New York, this committee organized a march down Peachtree Street. This was the very first Pride Parade. Since then, the Atlanta Pride Committee has organized a celebration every year, including a parade on Sunday.
These wonderful people have taken it upon themselves to make an incredibly memorable annual celebration for everyone, queer or not. They organize the entertainment, the volunteers, the park, the parade routes, and the host hotels. Without these incredible people, this massive celebration wouldn’t be possible. Thanks to them, Atlanta has one of the largest Pride celebrations in the nation. We owe this experience a them.
There’s Always Next Year
This year’s Pride celebration took place the weekend of October 13th. With wonderful weather, and incredible people attending, it was one to remember. If you missed it, don’t worry. Next year’s celebration is sure to be just as memorable, if not more so. With more and more people lending their voices to the LGBTQ+ community, the celebration can only grow in size, joy, and Pride. Personally, I can’t wait to see you there next year.
