Georgia on my mind
Oct. 1 — It’s Pride Season Part Deux across the state, starting this weekend with celebrations in Avondale Estates and Carrollton. You can find out more about the festivals in our story below. Here at the Voice, we’re putting the final touches on our Atlanta Pride Guide issue, and we’ve also finished the new Destination Gay Atlanta travel guide. Take a peek here.
And now a few headlines:
🪖 The U.S. Marine Corps veteran accused of killing three and injuring five others in a mass shooting at a North Carolina waterfront restaurant on Saturday had filed federal lawsuits filled with conspiracies and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
🙄 President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Tuesday denounced past military leadership for being too “woke,” citing DEI and LGBTQ+ groups, during rambling speeches given to U.S. military leaders.
🍿 Out on Film continues through Oct. 5 with many more movies to check out. See the schedule here.
📺 Hulu has cancelled its gay comedy series “Mid-Century Modern” after only one season.
🎥 Filmmaker Stephan Elliot told Deadline that Terence Stamp secretly filmed his scenes as Bernadette for “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” sequel before his death in August.
Pull up to my bumper, baby…
Collin
🪩 Xanadu the musical rolls into Serenbe Oct. 10–19 at the Wildflower Meadow. Enjoy a disco-fueled night under the stars with live music, glitter, and a VIP experience where you can sit on stage, meet the cast, and win signed skates. More info here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Pride celebrations across Georgia
🌈 While Atlanta celebrates its LGBTQ+ community Oct. 11-12 with a two-day festival and parade, other cities across Georgia are also celebrating Pride in October.
Avondale Estates, Carrollton, and Statesboro are holding Pride festivities this weekend. Golden Isles Pride in Brunswick is Oct. 11 and Savannah Pride is Oct. 25. There are other LGBTQ+ related events to check out, too.
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Advocates warn of FBI plan to label trans people ‘violent extremists’
🏳️⚧️ Our media partner, The Washington Blade, has a disturbing report concerning the Trump administration’s ongoing anti-trans rhetoric.
The nation’s leading LGBTQ advocacy groups are sounding the alarm over reports that the FBI may soon classify transgender people as a threat group — a move advocates say would be unconstitutional, dangerous, and rooted in political retribution.
AIDS Walk raises $1 million
💵 The LGBTQ+ community and its allies gathered for the 34th Annual AIDS Walk Music Festival & 5K on Saturday, raising $1 million for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services.
The event at Piedmont Park attracted thousands of attendees with performances by award-winning artist CeeLo Green and internationally acclaimed trombonist and trumpeter Trombone Shorty.
➡ See the list of recipients of this year’s fundraiser here.
Best Bets
📽️ Lavender Lens, Out on Film, and The Bakery are collaborating for a secret film screening tonight, Oct. 1, from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. at The Supermarket. DJ GeeXella will be spinning tunes after the movie.
🪩 Kick off Pride month in Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 4, with the Heyday 1980s Pride Night at Lore. The dance party will feature all the 80s hits with DJ Kimber.
📚 The Decatur Book Festival is Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-4, in and around downtown Decatur with dozens of authors and events. The festival begins Friday night with keynote speakers Saeed Jones and Angie Thomas. See the full schedule of events.
🍾 Enjoy an unforgettable evening under the stars in Chastain Park’s Secret Garden for Dine Chastain. Featuring signature dishes from some of Atlanta’s top chefs, live music, and community spirit—all to support keeping Chastain Park clean, safe, and green. Join us Fri., Oct. 3. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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📸 Are you following Georgia Voice on Instagram? Since we reactivated our account in June, our follower count has jumped, and we’re using our stories to share events, news, and some of our favorite tunes. Join us!