The 53rd annual Atlanta Pride Parade marched down Peachtree Street on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
Rough Draft talked to seven people on the street to hear more about what the Pride parade and festival means to them.
The individuals: Ty Hakim (she/her) resident of Atlanta for 18 years: Gen May (she/her) resident of Atlanta for one month: Jaye Walker (she/her) resident of Atlanta for 18 years: Ro Carrillo (he/him) resident of Atlanta for 35 years: Lance Foskey (he/him) resident of Atlanta for 36 years: Kimberly Williamson (she/her) resident of Atlanta for 27 years; and Adam Sweat (he/ him) resident of Atlanta for 18 years.
What is your favorite part of Pride?
Hakim: “It’s unity.”
May: “Love!”
Walker: “We’re representing the company I work for.”
Carrillo: “People watching! People expressing themselves is great.”
Foskey: “It is the openness. You see the families, then you see naked men… it’s great!”
Williamson: “My favorite part of Pride would be random interactions like being interviewed, meeting people, and being like yeah your outfit is great, or let’s talk about a great experience you had today. Just the unknown of what you could encounter or what memories you could make.”
Sweat: “I think it is just such an exciting, joyful space and everyone has a big smile on their face. With everything going on in the world this feels really right. Everyone seems to be in the same collective mind space.”
Are LGBTQ+ events like the Atlanta Pride Parade important? Why or why not?
Hakim: “Absolutely.”
May: “Yes.”
Walker: “It’s important.”
Carrillo: Absolutely, especially because I was never exposed to a gay person growing up except what you saw on TV. The reason I didn’t come out to my parents at an early age was because I didn’t fit into what we would see in movies and TV. It took me until… meeting other people and gay nerds when I was like oh my gosh these are my people. It is that type of stuff, where if you are exposed to a positive side of the gay community, like this, people feel more comfortable. Especially, important to come with your parents, or allies, to make for a better community and family dynamic as well.”
Foskey: “Yes, for the acceptance, especially in the South. Just showing that it [queerness] comes in all different types of people.”
Williamson: “They are very important. It shows the entire scope of the community. How long it [festival] flows, how large it is, how many people can come in on a collective mindset of community, familiarity and acceptance and just be here. The presence alone I think is important to be shown based on numbers… It is a place of friendship and fellowship. Come one, come all, everyone is welcome. Peace, love, light.”
Sweat: “I think it is very important, not just for LGBTQ+ people but also for straight people too to see us come together and celebrate. It is not excluding anybody. I think it is really important whether you are a part of this community or an ally.”
Are you optimistic about the rights of LGBTQ+ people in light of the upcoming presidential election? Why or why not?
Hakim: “Not optimistic because I think they [rights] are going to stay in the state that they are currently in.”
May: “Not a little bit. They are speaking about everything but LGBTQ+ peoples.”
Walker: “Not optimistic. This is a very polarizing election no matter which way. It is controversial which is never really helpful for any person.”
Carrillo: “Well, I am optimistic as long as Kamala wins. Because I feel like she’s been a beacon for gay rights.”
Foskey: “Yeah, optimistic.”
Williamson: “Depending on how things go, I am optimistic. I am hopeful. Hopeful that the decision that is made is for the betterment of everybody to live a decent, honest and safe life. My hopes are riding on a good decision or good outcome for everyone that lives in this country.”
Sweat: “Well, yeah if Kamala wins. I am optimistic for her and I think she will have our community’s back. I am not optimistic about the other guy [Trump]. but I think that LGBTQ+ rights would be just one on a long laundry list of problems with him.”
