Atlanta Reminds Us That Y'all Means All

Photo: Allerba, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Annual Pride-goer wears his favorite rainbow suit through the festival. Photo via McKenzie Waller.

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.

A young festival-goer smiled at the camera in his handmade outfit and head piece.

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

Detail shot of Donald Rizzo's work.

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.

Smiles are contagious in this uplifting environment. Photo of me smiling via McKenzie Waller ◡̈

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.