4 minute read
Events
AIDS Walk Atlanta PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK
Atlanta’s
Best LGBTQ Bets
There’s no end to what you can do out and about in Atlanta, but the city’s home to a few signature LGBTQ events each year that are worth planning a trip around. We’ve rounded out some of Atlanta’s most well-attended events, fundraisers, parties, and galas that showcase what the LGBTQ “mecca of the South” has to offer visitors and residents alike.
Black Gay Pride September 1-7, 2021 What began as informal house parties grew into the largest Black Gay Pride celebration in the world. Join fellow Black LGBTQ folks for a weekend full of partying and community!
AtlantaPrideWeekend.com
Pure Heat Community Festival September 5, 2021 This free “day of unity” is a gathering of Atlanta’s LGBTQ minorities and allies, organized by Atlanta Black Pride. The event is hosted at the Piedmont Park Promenade and Fountain this year and will be equipped with market and food vendors, live celebrity and local performers, entertainment, dance competitions, live hair battles, educational forums, prizes, and giveaways. A portion of proceeds benefit homeless LGBTQ youth and those impacted by HIV/AIDS.
PureHeatCommunityFestival.com
Peach International Tennis Championships September 4-6, 2021 The Peach International Tennis Championships is hosted by the Atlanta Team Tennis Association, the city’s LGBTQ league, at the South Fulton Tennis Center. It draws players from throughout the region for competition in men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in as many as four divisions.
Atta.org
Out On Film September 23 – October 3, 2021 You’re invited to attend the 34th annual Out On Film LGBTQ film festival! A slew of movies will hit the big screen in various theaters across the city as part of this epic event, many of them documentaries or never-beforeseen indie films.
OutOnFilm.org
AIDS Walk Atlanta September 25, 2021 Atlantans and tourists are encouraged to register as individuals or teams to run or walk in this 5K course to raise money for critical HIV/AIDS research.
AIDSWalkAtlanta.com
Atlanta Pride Festival October 8-10, 2021 For more than 40 years, Atlanta Pride has been the most powerful reminder of the city’s LGBTQ progress. An estimated 300,000 attendees come to the weekend of festivities and to support local businesses and organizations at the market. The festival is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country and continues to bring locals and visitors alike to Piedmont Park and the parade down Peachtree Street.
AtlantaPride.org
Big Ol’ Slice of 100% Atlanta Gay Pride October 7-11, 2021 Come party with thousands of men from around the country for this ultimate circuit party experience! This year’s DJ lineup includes Ed wood, Isis Muretech, Shane Marcus, Alex Acosta, Isaac Escalante, Jerac, Micky Friedmann, Paulo, Sam Gee, Joe Gauthreaux, Cindel, and Nina Flowers.
GaBoyEvents.com
Toy Party December 2021 TBD One of the most poignant signs of LGBTQ Atlantans’ commitment to their city and neighbors is the mound of toys on display each December at the annual Toy Party. The event, presented by For the Kid in All of Us, has grown into one of the largest social events of the year.
ForTheKid.org
Dogwood Invitational Bowling Tournament July 29-August 1, 2021 The Dogwood Invitational gathers LGBTQ bowlers for a long weekend of family, friends, and fun.
DogwoodBowl.org
HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner & Auction TBD Raising about $400,000 annually for the Human Rights Campaign, the Atlanta HRC dinner is a standard-bearer throughout the nation. The annual black-tie affair, which will celebrate its 33rd year, features leading activists and entertainers advancing gay rights and honors local LGBTQ leaders and allies.
HRCAtlanta.com/gala-dinner
Big Peach Softball Tournament Late May 2022 Hosted by the gay Hotlanta Softball League, the Big Peach draws hundreds of players from dozens of teams around the country for a weekend of softball competition in multiple divisions, plus plenty of socializing.
HotlantaSoftball.org
Toy Party COURTESY PHOTO
Southern Fried Queer Pride Late June 2022 This homegrown version of Pride puts the spotlight on queer and trans Southerners, offering an inclusive atmosphere at each of its parties, potlucks, pop-ups and workshops.
SouthernFriedQueerPride.com
AIDS Vaccine 200 Bike Ride April-May 2022 Each year, dozens of bike riders gather for a 200-mile fundraising ride from Emory University to Rock Eagle 4-H Center. The ride raises money for HIV/AIDS research at the Emory Vaccine Center and other LGBTQ nonprofits, while celebrating the memories of lives lost to the disease.
ActionCyclingAtl.org
Peach Party Atlanta June 2022 Atlanta’s premier circuit party weekend brings in the hottest DJ talent from around the world! Thousands of the hottest men from around the world converge in the metro to dance the night away to the best beats in the Southeast.
PeachPartyAtlanta.com
Atlanta Pride Run Summer 2022 Celebrating their 31st year, the Atlanta Pride Run & Walk is an annual 5K race and walk organized by the Front Runners Atlanta running club. Proceeds from the registration and other fundraisers are donated to a local charity that supports the LGBTQ community in Georgia.
FrontRunnersAtlanta.org
Joining Hearts Main Event Summer 2022 An extra dose of “fun” is added to “fundraising” each summer during the Joining Hearts party, which uses 100 percent of proceeds to provide housing for people with HIV. The annual party, held at the Piedmont Park Pool, regularly features free-flowing drinks and plenty of shirtless boys with this year’s entertainment, DJ Dan slater and DJ GSP.
