
Hannah Ghafary
Atlanta Reminds Us That Y'all Means All

This weekend Atlanta welcomed a rainbow-clad crowd from all around the country for the city’s 49th annual Atlanta Pride Festival & Parade. Atlanta Pride, which celebrates the LGBTQ community and allies, begins on National Coming Out Day, Friday, October 11.

Established in 1971, Atlanta Pride is one of the oldest and largest pride festivals in the United States.

Award-winning music artists such as Ke$ha and Dana performed at the festival in Piedmont Park throughout the weekend, standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ community.
Each color of the rainbow Pride flag celebrates an aspect of queer pride, with violet symbolizing Spirit and orange representing Healing.

Food trucks and vendors filled the paths of Piedmont Park. There was so much art to enjoy.

33-year-old artist and festival attendee, Matthew Terrell, created a unique and hope-inspiring installation called “Hate Shields” to peacefully counter anti-LGBTQ protestors attending the parade.
Amongst the many booths was artist, Donald Rizzo. Rizzo creates what he refers to as “abstract, gay art”. His booth was filled with colorful pieces celebrating the LGBTQ community.
His technical use of color is reminiscent of Pointillism in a way that’s never been done before.
Festival-goers boasted their rainbow attire with pride.

Festival-goers boasted their rainbow attire with pride. Atlanta Pride marks progress towards a world where people of all genders and sexual identities are “united, visible, and equal”.
Didn't get a chance to attend Atlanta Pride Parade & Festival? Here are some other ideas for how to spend your next weekend in Atlanta.