Atlanta Pride has been put on hold once again, but stay loud and proud, Atlanta!
There’s so much to do in Atlanta to show your Pride, or express your solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. From incredible queer-owned businesses to unmissable events, Atlanta has so much going on for the community. Atlanta Pride is considered the best Pride in the South by many, and even though this year’s festivities have been cancelled, here’s some things we can do as we wait to reunite at their next spectacle!
1-2. Support queer-owned businesses
Choosing queer-owned businesses to shop or eat is an incredible way to support the LGBTQIA+ community in Atlanta. We asked for some of your favorites on Instagram. Check out a couple of businesses below, or click here to check out our full roundup.
Guac Y Margys will also be hosting a weekend of unmissable festivities on starting October 8, including a drag brunch and a Pride Bloc Party!
1. Guac Y Margys
This is the place for tacos, Atlanta! Enjoy an incredible selection of margaritas and Mexican inspired bar bites at Guacs Y Margys! The margarita hotspot now has two locations across the city, including an awesome space on the BeltLine. Follow them on Instagram, here.
2. Finca To Filter
An incredibly welcoming space with incredibly delicious coffee, make sure you check out Finca To Filter. This queer-and-female-owned business serves up the perfect cup of Joe. They even hold fun events like Drag Queen Bingo, as well as participate in Farmer’s Markets across the city. Follow them on Instagram, here!
For a full roundup of queer-owned businesses chosen by Atlanta, click here!
3. LGBTQI+ charities in Atlanta
Southern Fried Queer Pride is an ATL-based arts & community organization focused on uplifting Southern queer & trans folks through events and more, prioritizing QTBIPOC! Right now, they are raising money to to finally establish a Black queer-owned community space. For more information on, click here.- Georgia Equality has a mission to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and our allies throughout the state. Click here to visit their website.
- HRC Atlanta host a number of engaging events that aim to reach a wide and varied a group as possible. Acknowledging the many dimensions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer population. Check out their website, here.
4-6. Queer street art
Spend the day checking out some amazing street art by Atlanta’s queer street artists. Artists across the city are continuously hard at work, making sure that the ATL is as vibrant as possible for Pride, and beyond! Here’s a couple we recommend:
1. ARRRTADDICT
ARRRTADDICT is a street artist popping up all across the city. From 8ARM to Little Five Points, her distinctive style is captivating, and incredibly innovative story-telling. Her recent BeltLine project Somos Borincanos is a huge ongoing project on the BeltLine that both honors and celebrates the artist’s Puerto Rican roots. The space radiates its important message beautifully, highlighting the importance of truth, family, and community. Follow her on Instagram, here.
For Pride Month earlier this year, ARRTADDICT collaborated with Skittles resulting in a breathtaking mural in Little Five Points. She told Secret Atlanta, “Pride for me is about celebrating the struggles we have suffered and continue to get by making the changes our community needs.”
2.Maite Nazario
This awesome mural box was painted by Maite Nazario towards the end of 2020. Make sure you head to Little Five Points to check it out. They shared on their Instagram, “The fist represents unity amongst Black, Brown, Trans, and Queer community to hold each other up during these uncertain times.”
You can also check out this stunning bike rack that Maite recently transformed, to honor the latinx community here in Atlanta. Check out their Instagram, here.
3. Earth Mama
Artist Avery Harden, also known as Earth Mama was chosen to transform Dad’s Garage Theatre, in Old Fourth Ward. The theatre has become an institutional part of Atlanta’s theatre scene, and has always shown solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Atlanta Pride teamed up with The Canadian Consolate to fund the mural.
Speaking to Secret Atlanta, she revealed, ““To me Pride means living freely. Pride means being able to have a connection with who you are on the inside and living truthfully while supporting those around you.”
7. Atlanta Falcons Pride Night
The Atlanta Falcons are celebrating Pride this year by teaming up with the National Flag Football League of Atlanta. The fundraiser will be the football team’s first ever Pride Night, with a portion of the proceeds going to the NFFLA.
Football fans: Rise Up For Atlanta Falcons’ First Ever Pride Night This October!
8-10. Don’t be a drag, just be a Queen!
1. Future Showbar
Underground Atlanta, which is currently undergoing a major transformation, is now home to Future Showbar and Restaurant! The LGBTQ+ venue have weekly programming and events including drag and cabaret specials. There’s even going to be food on offer, with the Downtown venue open for lunch and dinner, alongside the guaranteed fabulousness. The roatating cast even features RuPaul’s Drag Race superstars Trinity K. Bonet, Pheonix, and Lala Ri.
Fab fun: New LGBTQ+ Venue ‘Future’ Opens With Drag, Cabaret, Fabulousness And More!
2. Lips Atlanta
Lips is a self-proclaimed ‘Drag Queen show palace, restaurant & bar.’ If that’s hasn’t caught your attention, perhaps their incredible line up of weekly shows will! With shows guaranteed every Wednesday through Sunday, you truly are spoilt for choice at Lips.
Mwah: Grab A Show And A Bite At The Ultimate Drag Dining Experience In Atlanta
3. Finca to Filter
Mentioned above as one of the beloved queer-owned restaurants in the ATL, Finca to Filter are known for their drag events. Check out the Halloween special of their famous Drag Bingo, served up with their awesome coffee, and Wild Heaven Beer’s brews!
11. Pride on the Square
Kick off Atlanta Pride’s 51st Anniversary in The Plaza on October 8th from 6-8PM at Colony Square! Experience thrilling live performances from some of Atlanta’s best drag queens bringing you the most famous Divas of the Decades. The party will have giveaways with incredible Pride swag, food and drinks, and additional fun surprises from select Colony Square tenants, as the DJ spins the latest tunes & greatest hits!
Read: Colony Square Are Hosting An Epic Pride Party This Friday!
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