Pride History

1971

The GGLF (Georgia Gay Liberation Front) organized a march from Peachtree Street to Piedmont Park. This was the first Gay Pride March.

1972

The GGLF opened its offices on Pine Street.
First MCC was formed.
The Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance (ALFA) was formed.
A March and then rally at Piedmont Park was held.
Charlie St John, chair of Pride, was appointed to the Community Relations Commission as a gay man by Mayor Sam Massell.

1973

Charlie St. John was fired by the AJC for his gay activities.
Mayor Massell announced that the City of Atlanta would not discriminate against gay people in city services.
More people came out for the parade but this was the year of the paper bags over heads; it was protection from recognition and to send the message… "DO YOU KNOW WHO IS UNDER HERE?"

1974

The Atlanta Barb debuted, "The Groovy newspaper serving Atlanta and the Southeast."— Atlanta now has its first Gay Paper.
Charis Books opened.
There was no parade.

1975

Rep John Lewis sponsored a Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill.
Over 600 people attended the Park Rally.
There was no parade.

1976

Mayor Maynard Jackson declares June 26th GAY PRIDE DAY.
The Gay Center was formed.
The Parade returned, progressing from the Civic Center to Piedmont Park.
Over 1000 attended.

1977

Anita Bryant ran the "Save Our Children" campaign in Dade County Florida.
First Tuesday was founded, a gay democratic organization.
Atlanta Venture Sports founded.
Congregations in Atlanta raised $4,000 to fight Anita Bryant in Miami.
1500 people marched with an estimated 3000 attending the rally.

1978

Pride was moved to June 11 the same day Anita Bryant was to address the Southern Baptist Convention at the Georgia World Congress Center.
San Francisco Mayor George Mascone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were murdered.

1979

"Lavender Anniversary Celebration" was the 10th anniversary theme for Stonewall.
The First March on Washington 4 buses of Atlantan’s attended.
The Parade moved to Sunday.

1980

The Pride committee changed its name to Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered Pride.
The theme that year was "Let’s Get Together."

1981

Street fair, art show, dance on 7th Street between Piedmont and Juniper and 4000 people attended.
The New York Times reports a strange new cancer taking the lives of gay men. It is called ‘GRID’—Gay Related Immune Deficiency—by the media.

1982

"Stonewall Then/Atlanta Now" was the theme, the city issued an official proclamation but Mayor Andrew Young did not sign it.
The CDC names the new disease ‘AIDS’ after it is determined that it does not only affect the homosexual population.

1983

The first Dyke March is held.
The Atlanta Campaign for Human Rights (now Georgia Equality Project) was formed.
2500 people marched.
The first candlelight Vigil for AIDS is held; there were 3,064 known cases in the United States by the end of the year.

1984

Mayor Young finally recognizes us with a proclamation of "Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Day"

1985

MACGLO (Metropolitan Atlanta Council of Lesbian and Gay Organizations) is founded.
Congregation Bet Haverim opens.
SAME (Southeastern Arts and Media Education) is chartered.
ETC Magazine is published for the first time.
President Ronald Reagan mentions AIDS for the first time in a press conference. Rock Hudson dies, and is the first major public figure to die from the disease. By the end of the year, there are 15,948 known cases of AIDS in the United States.

1986

The theme that year was "Forward Together"
The John Howell Park Project was begun.
HRCF (now HRC) sponsored the Picnic in the Park.
Coca Cola promised two trailers and then reneged when they found out it was a gay event.

1987

AIDS deaths in the United States go over 20,000 and pride organizer’s ranks are decimated.

1988

"I am what I am," was the theme song as 1000 marchers took to the street and revitalized the Atlanta Pride celebration.
Southern Voice was founded.

1989

"Stonewall – Reasons to Remember," the 20th anniversary of Pride.
Mayor Maynard Jackson appeared at the celebration.

1990

The billboard Project: "GAY AMERICA LOVES YOU"
The Front Runners host the first run Pride weekend.
5,000 people attend the festival.
The Starlight Cabaret was born.

1991

Lea DeLaria was emcee.
"Be Aware, Be There, Be Counted" was the theme.
Attendance jumped to over 20,000.
The First Commitment Ceremony was held.
The Candlelight Vigil was moved to John Howell Park (in Virginia-Highlands).

1992

Attendance is well over 40,000 people.
Emory University opens the office of Gay and Lesbian Student Life.

1993

The Dyke march becomes an official event.
Fulton County Issues a proclamation as well as the City of Atlanta.
Over 100,000 people attend Pride.
The event ends in a huge debt for the Pride Committee.

1994

150,000 attend the festival held the third weekend in June to not conflict with the Gay Games.
The Gay Games and Stonewall 25 are held in New York.

1995

Pride hires Hubert Alexander as its first part time Executive Administrator.

1996

The Olympics come to Atlanta.
The Cobb County anti-gay resolution sparks action and boycott of Cobb by the Olympic Committee.
The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Visitors Center is opened.
300,000 people attend the full weekend of activities.
The Indigo Girls perform, and Mrs. Coretta Scott King is a guest speaker.

1997

"Generations of PRIDE" embraced our multi-cultural heritage.
Cathy Woolard became the first openly gay person elected to city office in Atlanta.

1998

PRIDE continues to attract large crowds of over 300,000.
The Hotlanta Softball League hosts the Lesbian and Gay World Series.

1999

Rain soaks the city for the entire weekend yet more than 250,000 still come out.
The Rainbow Banner Project adds 300 large banners to the City streets.
A part-time Event Director is hired

2000

The B-52’s perform for a crowd of over 300,000 as a rainbow arches above the crowd.
Raven notes: "See God Loves US!"

2001

Atlanta elects Cathy Woolard, City Council President.

2002

The theme is "Power of Pride"
Mayor Shirley Franklin speaks twice at the Atlanta Pride Festival.
300,000 in attendance.
Part-time Event Director becomes full-time.
A second event, "Out With Pride" (clean up day in Piedmont Park) is added.

2003

Theme is "Freedom to Be"
Mayor Shirley Franklin speaks at the VIP Party, marches in the parade and speaks from the stage on Sunday.
300,000 in attendance.
Pride Vigil held for the first time (collaboration between AIDS Survival Project and The Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative).
Congresswomen, Denise Majette and other political dignitaries attended the VIP party.