Honors and anniversaries
Aug. 20 — Georgia Voice is honored to be the recipient of the 2025 Legacy Award from the NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists. We’re marking our 15th anniversary as the leading LGBTQ+ media organization in the South. In these uncertain and fraught political times, we know that the Voice’s very existence is more vital now than ever.
And now some headlines and updates:
🌟 More than 100 local leaders have signed on as ambassadors to signal their support for an Atlanta LGBTQ+ Community Center. See the full list here.
⚖️ A class action lawsuit representing nearly 300 incarcerated transgender women and men says Georgia’s refusal to allow gender-affirming care constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
⚽ FIFA is requiring host cities, like Atlanta, to develop a human rights action plan to protect workers and attendees at next year’s World Cup.
⚕️ The Savannah Pride Center is stepping up to provide more healthcare options to the LGBTQ+ community.
🏃 Mark your calendars for the AIDS Walk Atlanta Music Festival and 5K Run at Piedmont Park on Sept. 27. There’s still time to register or get involved.
🏈 The right wing’s latest grievance is NFL male cheerleaders, but, as you’d expect, there’s been a sassy response from the boys.
🙄 You can probably take Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” off your gay anthem playlist.
🎗️ RIP Terence Stamp. You’ll always be General Zod or Bernadette to me.
Champagne kisses,
Collin
🌈 Foster or adopt with pride at CHRIS 180. We welcome LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and families, offering inclusive support, proven success with zero adoption disruptions since 2013, and 24/7 guidance. Begin your journey: chrisadoptions.org | email: fosterandadopt@CHRIS180.org SPONSOR MESSAGE
PALS Atlanta to mark 35 years with gala
🐶 PALS Atlanta (Pets Are Loving Support) will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a festive gala at the Park Tavern Garden Tent in Piedmont Park on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Founded in 1990, PALS Atlanta is a nonprofit that provides support (food, vaccinations, preventative care, etc.) to pets of metro Atlanta residents living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, chronic illnesses and disabilities, as well as U.S. veterans and seniors.
The event will feature music, food and drinks, live entertainment, auctions, raffles and more, with the proceeds going towards supporting the organization’s mission to keep pets and their people together during life’s most difficult challenges.
➡ Learn more about the event here.
A Shell of a Good Time: Open now!
SPONSORED BY THE FERNBANK MUSEUM
🐢 This summer, discover the fascinating world of Turtles at the Fernbank Museum! This new exhibit focuses on the lives and behaviors of these beloved reptiles.
Guests can get up close to live turtles through hands-on activities and daily live animal presentations. Visitors will learn about their natural history and survival challenges, their vital role across ecosystems around the globe, and conservation efforts humans are taking to protect these animals.
➞ Learn more about the exhibit and special after-hours events here!
Meet Chamblee PD’s new LGBTQ+ liaison
🚓 After two years on the force, Officer Brandon White has been named the Chamblee Police Department’s new LGBTQ+ liaison.
White introduced the idea to Chamblee PD after he became aware of how many LGBTQ+ people called the city home and who were members of the force.
White was the victim of a hate crime in 2012, and his case became the first prosecuted in the state by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under federal laws passed in 2009.
➡ Find out more about White’s role here.
RELATED STORY
🗣️DeKalb Commissioner Ted Terry has introduced a resolution championing the need for an LGBTQ+ liaison within the county police department.
LGBTQ+ resources disappear at college campuses
🎓 Canceled pride graduation celebrations. Eliminated resource centers for LGBTQ students. Tighter rules for using a preferred name on class rosters and student IDs.
These are some of the casualties on Georgia college campuses as a national push to erase DEI initiatives and programs takes hold.
University System of Georgia schools across the state have adopted a variety of changes in response to a flurry of federal orders from the Trump administration.
➡ Read more of this report from our media partner, Georgia Recorder.
RELATED NEWS
🏫 The University of Georgia removed the terms sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy from its non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Georgia Southern University has done the same.
🪴 Aspiring fall gardeners will find everything they need to learn and grow a fall & winter kitchen garden at Love is Love Cooperative Farm’s Annual Fall Plant Sale and Family Day on the Farm. Order plants now. Pickup Sept 6. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Best Bets
📽️ Queer Film Alliance is hosting a special event tonight featuring Emma Warner, Manager of Artist Accelerator & Women at Sundance Institute Programs. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. at Wild Heaven West End.
🏳️🌈 The Kennesaw Pride Alliance will host a grand opening event for its new LGBTQ Resource Center on Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.
🛸 Athens Pride & Queer Collective is hosting its annual prom “Welcome to Planet Queer’ on Saturday, starting at 8 p.m. at the 40 Watt Club. Dress in your best alien extravangaza and get spaced out at this end-of-summer dance party.
💃 The Siren Dancers will help My Sister’s Room mark its 29th anniversary on Saturday with shows at 9:30 and 11:30 p.m.
Social Follow of the Week
📸 The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are having their first annual Nun Run, sashaying into your hearts (and the streets of Atlanta) on Saturday, Sept. 20. This isn’t your average charity walk—this is a celebration on heels, wheels, or whatever makes you feel FABULOUS.
