Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
As rainbow flags fly high, glitter fills the streets, and joy spreads through every corner of our LGBTQ+ communities during AtlantaPride, it’s easy to get lost in the celebration. Pride is a time for love, liberation, and unapologetic self-expression. But, as we gather this year, it’s crucial to remember that Pride was born from resistance. The first Pride was not a parade—it was a riot. In a political climate where our rights and identities are still under attack, it’s more important than ever to honor Pride’s radical roots and remind ourselves that celebration and protest go hand in hand.
Pride Began as a Riot
In June 1969, the Stonewall Riots erupted in response to the police raids at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. Led by trans women of color, like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, LGBTQ+ people fought back against years of harassment, violence, and discrimination. These riots marked a turning point, igniting the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and proving that our community would not be silenced.
Pride was never just about celebration—it has always been about demanding our rights, standing up to oppression, and creating visibility for our communities. Today, we must carry that same spirit of defiance, especially as LGBTQ+ people continue to face political and social challenges.
Celebrating Pride in a Volatile Climate
The political landscape has grown increasingly hostile for the LGBTQ+ community, with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being introduced across the country. Trans rights, in particular, have become a battleground, with efforts to ban gender-affirming care, limit sports participation, and restrict education about queer identities in schools. The hateful rhetoric from certain political figures has only fueled this environment of division and fear.
Yet, in the face of these challenges, we must not back down. Pride festivals today are more than just colorful marches; they are acts of resistance. Our presence in the streets, our visibility, and our joy are all forms of protest against a system that wants to erase us. Pride is a reminder that our community has survived through struggle, and we will continue to rise, fight, and thrive, even in the most difficult times.
Make Your Voice Heard: The Power of Voting
With a critical presidential election looming, the importance of Pride extends beyond the streets and into the voting booth. The rights we celebrate at Pride—our ability to marry, to live freely as our authentic selves, and to access healthcare—are all represented on the ballot. History shows us that political tides can turn quickly, and if we want to protect the progress we’ve made, we must be active participants in shaping our future.
Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have. It’s not just about electing officials who support LGBTQ+ rights; it’s about sending a message that we refuse to be pushed back into the shadows. Every vote is a voice, and in a political climate as volatile as ours, silence is not an option. We owe it to the LGBTQ+ pioneers who fought for our rights—and to future generations—to make our voices heard.
Pride is Both Celebration and Protest
As you take to the streets this Atlanta Pride, wear your rainbow with pride, dance with joy, and love freely. But remember that Pride is also a political act. Every time we gather in public, we assert our right to exist, to love, and to live authentically. Our joy is resistance. Our visibility is protest. And our celebration is a reminder that we will never be erased.
So, let’s celebrate with intention. Let’s remind ourselves that our history is rooted in resistance, and that while we’ve come a long way, the fight is far from over. And as we march, let’s remember that real change doesn’t just happen on the streets—it happens at the ballot box, too.
This Atlanta Pride, let’s make it clear: our voices, our votes, and our visibility matter. We’ve fought too hard to turn back now. Happy Pride!