Atlanta Gay Pride 2009 and Halloween

October 28, 9:56 AMAtlanta Lesbian Relationship ExaminerLeslie Davis

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Gay Pride falls on Halloween this year. How perfect is that? Who loves Halloween more as a group than the gay community? The opportunity to get creative and festive with Pride attire is now open to all new vistas of audacious, outrageous and fabulous.

The change in date was necessary to secure Piedmont Park for the event. Holding Pride anywhere other than Piedmont Park seems wrong. Atlanta Pride needs to be held in the heart of Midtown. That is where it belongs. Personally I am thrilled with timing and venue.

Whereas June is the traditional month for Pride due to the significance of Stonewall, Atlanta has unpredictable weather in June. It is normally less than ideal for outdoor festivals. Pride is either eclipsed by torrential downpours, making the entire event a muddy mess or it is a humid, hot, heat-stroke inducing hell-pit. Whereas the crowds convene and the parade commences regardless of weather, I had hoped Atlanta would follow New Orleans example and move the event to fall. This is the South. Fall is more hospitable. I am trying to ignore the rain pelting my window as I type these words and wonder whether I need to start constructing an arc.

I don’t attend many events, but gay pride is an exception. I’ve attended Pride in several cities worldwide. I love the diversity. Also, there are very few occasions where 1000s of lesbians simultaneous converge in one place. That makes Pride unique in terms of mass perusal potential.

Coinciding with Halloween is brilliant. For those who object to the more outlandish expressions of Pride, it may be eye-popping, show stopping, but certainly worth watching. There are no competing Pride events. Frankly, anyone in the region who doesn’t make the trek to Atlanta this weekend is missing a stellar party. There may be fewer breasts bared in the dyke march than normal due to the temperature, but, then again, there is that Amazon mythos to uphold. The leather community should be able to show off in grand style without the risk of heat stroke. Everyone else can dress as they wish or be who they want. Masks provide a lovely accessory.

Due to a scheduling error at work, I have most of the weekend to gallivant. I talked my Lezbro into attending. He writes a Political blog. The civil rights angle from the perspective of a heterosexual male attending his first Pride event should be interesting. I’ll take pictures. I am looking forward to it. I hope to see some of you there.

For information regarding Pride events, please visit AtlantaPride.org or Southern Voice.