No matter everybody’s opinion about it, the annual Black Gay Pride Atlanta rises with reverence and revelry to events with celebrity appearances all over town
By Mike Fleming
When you’re the black gay Mecca of the Southeast, it’s only natural that you host the largest celebration of LGBTs of color in the nation.
That’s how you rack up more than 30 years of clubs, performance venues and hotel ballrooms filling up with you can look celebrity guests galore. Look for Big Freedia, Cardi B, and Keyshia Cole, and even ATL favorite Todrick Hall (photo, this page) is expected at the Pure Heat Festival in Piedmont Park on Sunday.
The real stars of Black Gay Pride, though, are the people. Out in force and loud and proud, they are living the life that makes the event worthwhile and relevant. Here are our Best-Bet highlights of places to find them.
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
Official BGP Welcome Party
Center for Civil & Human Rights, 6 p.m.
Labor Day Rock, 10 p.m.
atlantaprideweekend.com
Rockstars Welcome Reception
Alibi Club, 6 p.m.
rockstarsproduction.com
Bad & Boujee
Opium Club, 10 p.m.
rockstarsproduction.com
FRIDAY, SEPT. 1
Vendor Markets Every Day
Georgian Terrace Hotel
atlantaprideweekend.com
100 Men Strong Dinner
Georgian Terrace Hotel, 7 p.m.
atlantaprideweekend.com
Rockstars Pregame
Einstein’s, 5 p.m.
rockstarsproduction.com
Hotlanta Party
Revel, 1778 Ellsworth Industrial, 10 p.m.
rockstarsproduction.com
Men’s Mega Party
with Big Freedia
Jungle, 10 p.m.
facebook.com/WassupNATL/
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2
Ultimate Day Party
Georgian Terrace, 5 p.m.
rockstarsproduction.com
Saturday Night Live Mega Party
with Keyshia Cole
Museum Bar, 10 p.m.
rockstarsproduction.com
Wet N Wild Pool Party
Holiday Inn Northlake, 4 p.m.
facebook.com/WassupNATL/
Freaknik for Men
“If You’re Not Freaking, We’re Not Speaking”
Kompass, 2520 Piedmont, 10 p.m.
facebook.com/WassupNATL/
SUNDAY, SEPT. 3
Men Who Brunch
Georgian Terrace, 12 noon
rockstarsproduction.com
Pure Heat Community Festival
Piedmont Park, 12 noon
atlantaprideweekend.com
Legendary Main Event
Georgian Terrace, 10 p.m.
atlantaprideweekend.com
Main Event with Cardi B
Opium Club, 10 p.m.
rockstarsproduction.com
MONDAY, SEPT. 5
BBQ Day Party
Georgian Terrace, 4 p.m.
atlantaprideweekend.com
Men in White Party
3112 Piedmont Road NE, 10 p.m.
rockstarsproduction.com