This article was published on September 20th, 2018
Atlanta. Everything is hot in Atlanta: the people, the culture, the city, the food, and most certainly the events. Atlanta Pride is perhaps the biggest party all here in America’s southern metropolis and is always a lit AF festival. This year’s pride fest and events surrounding pride week are set to be an extraordinary time. 2018’s Atlanta Pride is definitely going to be on fire!
Atlanta has an onslaught of events leading up to Pride week for over a month, including the 9th annual Underwear Auction at Swinging Richard’s on September 7th, Queer Youth Movie Night held on September 11, and the Miss Atlanta Pride drag beauty pageant.
The official Atlanta Pride kickoff party is back at the Georgia Aquarium October 12. DJ Mark Gordan and DJ Kevin Durard, both Atlanta-based DJs will start your pride weekend off just right with a fabulous eve at the aquarium. The Atlanta Pride festival begins October 12 and runs through October 14th with hundreds of vendors, performers, and booths catering towards the LGBT community.
Saturday will be a day of visibility for two major marginalized groups. The annual Transgender March will begin at 1:45 and will feature trans and allied members of the community marching in solidarity. At 6pm will be the annual Dyke march, with a focus on women’s rights. Both marches are open and welcome to all members of the community.
The annual Atlanta Pride March will be the featured event on Sunday, October 14. Stepping off at noon, the Pride march is one of the southern United States’ largest pride marches, with thousands participating in a show of love and respect for the queer community. Atlanta Pride has several grand marshals leading the parade, including Atlanta residents Micky Bee, Monica Helms, Rabbi Josh Lesser, Scott Titshaw, Craig Washington, Angels in Action/ Shane Garner, Black Mama’s Bailout, and the Ponce Center (formerly known as the Grady IDP).
Unlike other pride festivals across the United States, proceeds from the Pride festival and events get turned into donations for leading charities throughout the Atlanta area: meaning your pride dollars end up benefiting the region at large, versus a corporate entity. Nobody does community reinvestment better than Atlanta Pride. And no one does pride better than Atlanta, Georgia: it’s the hottest pride ticket this fall!
Need help planning your trip to Atlanta? The Atlanta Convention and Visitor Bureau has great suggestions on where to eat, things to do, and what to explore. If you’re looking for accommodation, the Crowne Plaza Atlanta – Midtown has availability and is the host hotel of the Atlanta Pride HomoCulture Tour stop.
