Atlanta
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Welcome to Atlanta, Our open arms and hearts will make you feel right at home! y’all! We’ll make you feel right at home! We’re so happy you’re here! Deemed the gay mecca of the South, Atlanta has been one of the crown jewels of equality and acceptance in the South and country for years. This culture of love and acceptance has been carefully cultivated, though, after a history of LGBTQ activism. The fight started more than 50 years ago outside of the Stonewall Inn in New York City, where brave queer people stood up against homophobia, transphobia, and state-sanctioned violence. Not too long after, activists and protestors began organizing right here in Atlanta and demanding equality. It is because of their hard work, bravery, and dedication that we as a city are now able to tout LGBTQ-friendly culture, space, and community — but the work is far from over. Queer activists, particularly Black activists and other people of color, in Atlanta have made Atlanta — and Georgia — a household name nationwide with their dedication to not only LGBTQ equality, but racial equality, gender equality, voting rights, etc. As you peruse both this travel guide and our beautiful city, know that both are what they are only because of the work of these individuals, now and throughout history. Georgia Voice is proud to produce Destination Gay Atlanta, a travel guide with everything you need to know about exploring gay Atlanta: where to shop, what to eat, where to stay, what to do… everything. Due to last year’s COVID-19 pandemic, we had to take a break, but we’re back and better than ever! We’re dedicated to providing
10 Destination Travel Guide
Atlanta’s visitors and locals alike with the most up-to-date and LGBTQ-friendly guide to exploring our beautiful city. For those new here, Georgia Voice is the oldest and largest LGBTQ publication in Atlanta with roots tracing back to the ‘80s, a period rife with LGBTQ activism. When this publication was launched, it was with the mission of fighting to be a voice of gay Atlanta, and we continue this mission today. We pride ourselves on creating a safe haven for all Georgians and those around the region and country who want to experience a taste of Southern hospitality without fear. As Georgia Voice continues to cover the issues affecting our community, locally and nationally, we’d like to take on a journey back in time to see how our state and city have evolved over the years.
Georgia’s LGBTQ History
In 1817, Georgia enacted our first anti-sodomy law. A few years later, in 1833, the law was expanded to outlaw “carnal knowledge and connection against the order of nature by man with man, or in the same unnatural manner with woman.” The punishment? A sentence of life imprisonment with labor. The law existed for more than 50 years before the U.S. Supreme Court heard and overturned Georgia’s first-ever conviction of sodomy in 1884. However, the law was still in place. In 1949, the penalty was reduced to one to 10 years in prison, something Michael Hardwick faced
