March 8th, 2012
Atlanta, Georgia. – The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) announced today that Executive Director, James Parker Sheffield, is leaving the organization for a new position as Director of Organizational Development at the Health Initiative. In this new position, Sheffield will be working closely with the Health Initiative’s long-time Executive Director, Linda Ellis.
Atlanta Pride Committee Board Chair, Glen Paul Freedman, said of the development, “James has served this organization well in his decade-plus tenure with Pride. The last two of which have been at the helm as Executive Director.” Freedman continued, “While we are saddened that he will be leaving us, we are excited for him in his new endeavor and wish him well!”
James Parker Sheffield has been with organization since 2000, starting off as a part-time intern, and working his way through the ranks, until he eventually was promoted to the Executive Director of Atlanta Pride following the 2009 festival.
Sheffield said of the change, “It was not an easy decision, as I am emotionally invested in APC (the Atlanta Pride Committee). I believe that my skill set is ideal for the Health Initiative’s expansion work. My interest in LGBT health has grown with my involvement in the Pride Community Health Expo, partnerships with Grady and Kaiser, and my own personal experiences related to healthcare as a trans man. The Health Initiative’s movement toward reaching a more broad community excites me and I want to play a role in this new level of outreach.”
Freedman noted of Sheffield’s new position, “The Health Initiative has been an important partner of Atlanta Pride’s for many years. While we will miss him, we are very happy that Shef (James Parker Sheffield) is going to be continuing as a leader in Atlanta’s LGBTQ community, and supporting our friends.” He continued, “Because both Pride and the Health Initiative have office space in the Rush Center, he (James Parker Sheffield) is just moving across the hall, so we will still see him frequently!”
The Atlanta Pride Committee plans to appoint an Interim Manager until an open search for a new Executive Director can be conducted. Until then, APC’s Executive Committee, Board and their additional staff members will work with vendors and contractors to continue moving forward with current fundraising efforts, programming and of course, the 2012 Atlanta Pride Festival, scheduled for October 13 & 14.
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2012, General
August 31st, 2011
Today the Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) announced the Official Entertainment Lineup for the 2011 Pride Weekend. Along with the parade, marketplace and a full weekend of festivities, the festival will once again feature 2 stages of entertainment.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to bring some of our community’s most talented artists as well as some other recognizable names to the Pride stage this year,” said APC Executive Director, JP Sheffield. “People often ask how we choose our entertainment. We do our best to offer a little something for everyone over the course of the weekend.” Sheffield added.
This year, the APC partnered with Clear Channel’s WiLD (105.7 and 96.7 FM) to bring some exciting up-‐and-‐coming talent to the Festival. Those artists include Alexis Jordan, Wynter Gordon and Kim Sozzi. The Station was also involved with adding Debora Cox to the line up. Sheffield said of the relationship, “Atlanta Pride works very hard to establish and maintain great relationships that benefit everyone involved. We are excited to add Clear Channel and specifically, WiLD to the list of those positive and productive partnerships.”
View Full Entertainment Lineup
View Event Sponsors
View Full Press Release
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2011
July 8th, 2011
After an open nomination period of 4 weeks that was open to the entire community, The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) has selected the 2011 Grand Marshals. These community leaders will be featured in the annual Parade that takes place at 1p on Sunday, October 9th.
2011 Grand Marshals are:
Lynn Barfield – Known to many as “Mama Lynn,” Lynn Barfield has been a staple with a variety of community organizations. While serving as a mother figure to those at Blake’s on the Park, she has volunteered for several groups, including YouthPride, Chris Kids, AIDS Walk, Project Open Hand, and many others. She has also served as the Executive Director of Enlight Atlanta, which was a organization dedicated to starting up Gay-Straight alliances in schools in and around Metro Atlanta.
Dee Dee Chamblee – Dee Dee has been a mentor, life coach, and spiritual counselor for members of the transgender community and its allies. She currently utilizes her 18+ years of solid community-based organizing experience and expertise on issues that involve Transgender Rights and health in her role on The Center of Excellence for Transgender Health Advisory Board. The Obama Administration recently honored with Dee Dee as a “Champion of Courage”.
Duchess Claud – “The Duchess” came out in Atlanta in 1959, a time in which the LGBT community was largely underground. Throughout the years, she has served as a mentor to and has played an active role in the Leather Community. The Duchess has also worked with Touching Up Our Roots, an organization committed to preserving LGBT history, as well as the annual MondoHomo Queer Arts Event.
Paulina Hernandez – Paulina is an artist, political organizer, and self-proclaimed “queer femme cha-cha girl & trouble-maker-at-large” from Veracruz, Mexico. She is the Co-Director of Southerners on New Ground (SONG). Paulina has been actively involved with the fight against HB-87 by mobilizing an LGBTQ response to the legislation.
Topher Payne – Topher is a witty and colorful character that is well-known and well-liked through Atlanta’s creative and gay communities. He is a local columnist, actor, and playwright. Topher has been a part of several award-winning shows and often produces plays that benefit local nonprofits.
Rick Westbrook – Rick is a long-time activist in the LGBT community known by several different names. As a Co-Founder of the Chuck Jenkins Foundation, the organization that produces the annual East Point Possums Show, Rick is known as Shenitta Lott. When he is participating with the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, he is known as Sister Rapture Divine Cox. As the winner of Dragnique Season 2, Rick’s finale performance acknowledged healthy living with a positive HIV status. He is active with the Queer Justice League and is also a Community Outreach Coordinator for the AIDS Service organization Positive Impact, and is the Office Manager for the First Existentialist Congregation.
Grand Marshal Group of Honor – In recognition of the 30-year anniversary of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Atlanta Pride will be honoring numerous individuals affiliated with AIDS Service Organizations together as one group. This will include representatives from larger scale agencies to smaller community led organizations. Fighting this devastating disease has truly been a grassroots movement made up of thousands people, providing countless hours of work. Over the course of the next several weeks, APC will be contacting ASO’s throughout the state and asking each to identify an individual to participate with the group.
Atlanta Pride Executive Director, JP Sheffield said of the selections, “We are so proud of our 2011 Grand Marshals. It is going to be really exciting having such a diverse group of individuals representing the LGBT community at the Atlanta Pride Festival this year.”
Regarding the Group of Honor Grand Marshal designation, Sheffield continued, “Given the 30 year history of the epidemic, it seemed impossible to select just one representative to serve as Grand Marshal to mark the anniversary. Selecting a group provides the opportunity to honor individuals, while providing a visual impact to our patrons that shows the magnitude of community involvement. This also provides the ASO’s with an opportunity to have control over who is selected, as they see the work individuals put in every day.”
About Atlanta Pride: The main purpose of the APC is to promote unity, visibility and self esteem among lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons and to promote a positive image in the Atlanta area and throughout the Southeastern United States through community activities and services.
The main mission of the APC is to provide lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons with cultural and educational programs and activities which enhance mental and physical health, provide social support, and foster an awareness of the past and present contributions of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons, through community activities and services, including an annual Pride event.
Media Contact:
Q&A Events
Sheila Merritt
smerritt@QandAEvents.com
404.762.5665 x302
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2011
April 22nd, 2011
The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) is pleased to announce the following events as part of their Official Annual Stonewall Celebration Calendar:
Saturday, June 18th
East Point Possums Show
Outdoor Charity Drag Show
Presented by: The East Point Possums
Location: Downtown East Point
Site opens 7:30pm, Show at 8pm
FREE Event
All tips and donations benefit Atlanta Pride & Positive Impact
Wednesday, June 22nd
StoryCorps: Out and OutLoud
A celebration of stories from the LGBTQ community
Presented by: WABE, Radial Café, and The Atlanta Pride Committee
Location: The Phillip Rush Center (1530 Dekalb Ave NE, Suite A, Atlanta GA 30307)
Doors open 6:30pm, Program at 7pm
Host: John Lemley from WABE’s City Cafe
FREE Event
Thursday, June 23rd
7th Annual Evening for Equality
Featuring the Equality Awards & Silent Auction
Presented by: Georgia Equality
Location: The Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
Doors open 6pm VIP, 7pm General Admission
Additional details, including Honorees and Ticket Prices TBA
Friday, June 24th
Pride Seder
A spiritual celebration of the LGBTQ Liberation Movement
Presented by: Congregation Bet Haverim
Location: Central Congregational UCC (2676 Clairmont Rd NE, Atlanta 30329)
Service begins at 6:30pm
Free Event
Saturday, June 25th
2nd Annual Sylvia Rivera Stonewall Community Event
Event featuring fellowship, food, and a panel discussion with Trans community
members.
Presented by: Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, TILTT, and The Atlanta Pride Committee
Location: The Phillip Rush Center (1530 Dekalb Ave NE, Suite A, Atlanta GA 30307)
Doors open 11:30, Program at Noon
Free Event, $5 suggested donation
Additional details, including Panel discussion topic TBA
Official Stonewall Celebration Party
An evening of performances and music to commemorate Stonewall
Presented by: Jungle Club Atlanta
Location: Jungle Club Atlanta (2115 Faulkner Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30324)
Doors open 6pm
18+ Event
Additional details, including cover charge and DJ TBA
Sunday, June 26th
Brunch & A Movie
Viewing of “March On!” with food and cocktails
Presented by: Out on Film and The Atlanta Pride Committee
Location: The Phillip Rush Center (1530 Dekalb Ave NE, Suite A, Atlanta GA 30307)
Additional details, including ticket price TBA
Please note that event information is subject to change. Additional events may also be added to the schedule.
Posted in General
April 18th, 2011
The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) is pleased to announce that the Atlanta Pride Festival will be returning to Piedmont Park in 2011. The Southeast’s largest Pride Festival will be hosted October 8-9, which coincides with National Coming Out Day.
“2010 was a tremendous year for APC and we are looking forward to building on those successes in 2011,” said James Parker Sheffield, Atlanta Pride Executive Director. APC views a consistent event timeframe and location as being key to continuing that success. “Having a consistent event timeframe will allow APC and community members, organizations and businesses to create continuity in their own planning leading up to Pride,” said Sheffield.
The Atlanta Pride Festival is currently the largest event in the United State to coincide with National Coming Out Day, which is observed on October 11th. Other established community events that take place around the same timeframe include The ALHI Garden Party, Out on Film and the Atlanta AIDS Walk.
Leading up to The Atlanta Pride Festival, APC will be organizing events and activities throughout 2011 to build enthusiasm for the festival, including special events during the month of June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Partnerships with the Georgia Aquarium and Chris Coleman Enterprises, for the Kickoff Party and the Closing Party respectively, will continue as a part of the 2011 Pride celebrations. A full schedule of programming and parties is still being developed for Atlanta Pride Week. For updates and information about events throughout the year, please visit www.AtlantaPride.org.
APC would like to acknowledge that for 2011, the Pride Festival overlaps with Yom Kippur. To read more about how this occurred and what APC is doing in regards to the subject, please click here.
Posted in Atlanta Pride 2011
