While Pride is a celebration, as this year’s Atlanta Pride theme reminds us, the festivities are “rooted in resistance.” While this month is an opportunity for joy and fun, it’s also a moment to reflect on the work that remains to be done for the LGBTQ+ community – and the organizations spearheading this important work.
This year, celebrate Pride by supporting the organizations advocating year-round for a world where all people can be safe, secure, and celebrated.
Atlanta Pride
This year, Atlanta Pride is urging attendees to “choose Pride” by donating to support the country’s largest free Pride event. Over the last 55 years, Atlanta Pride – Georgia’s oldest LGBTQ+ nonprofit – has grown to welcome over 350,000 visitors and host the city’s largest parade. Donate: atlantapride.org/donate.
Georgia Equality
Georgia Equality is the leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in Georgia. The organization works year-round to pass pro-equality legislation and elect LGBTQ+-inclusive elected officials. They also conduct voter registration and education activities, provide information to decision makers, and organize and mobilies LGBTQ+ residents and allies through the Equality Foundation of Georgia. Donate: georgiaequality.org/donate.
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is a national organization working to achieve full recognition of LGBTQ+ civil rights through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. The organization is currently representing the LGBTQ+ community in 83 active cases.
Donate: lambdalegal.org/donate.
Latino LinQ
For the last decade, Latino LinQ has advocated for equity for the Latinx and LGBTQ+ community in Georgia. Their work includes sharing information and resources about rights to translation and interpretation services when accessing government services, creating safe spaces through their community support group, partnering with health care institutions on community health research, and assisting community members with access to critical health care. Donate: latinolinq.org/donate.
Related stories:
• Atlanta Pride announces grand marshals for October festival
• 100+ leaders sign on to LGBTQ+ center ambassador program
The LGBTQ+ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Another of this year’s Grand Marshals, the LGBTQ+ Institute advances equity through advocacy, storytelling, and critical programming like You(th) Belong, a monthly series created by and for LGBTQ+ youth in Atlanta; the Ignyte Conference, bringing together LGBTQ+ activists, health leaders, and community advocates; the Bayard Rustin Society, a giving circle supporting LGBTQ+ justice through collective philanthropy; and the Southern Survey, a research initiative amplifying the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ Southerners. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is temporarily closed for renovations, but will reopen on Nov. 8. Donate: civilandhumanrights.org/donate.
PALS Atlanta
One of this year’s Atlanta Pride Grand Marshals, PALS (Pets Are Loving Support) is a non-profit providing ongoing care and support for the pets of Atlantans living with critical illness like HIV/AIDS and cancer, those with disabilities, seniors aged 65 and older, and U.S. veterans. PALS provides pet food and basic care, vaccination clinics, and more. Donate: palsatlanta.org/donate.
Queer Hands
Have you ever felt fearful to invite maintenance, repair, lawn care, or other service workers into your home for fear of being discriminated against, harassed, or misgendered? Fear no longer. Queer Hands is a queer-powered, trans-led non-profit worked cooperative providing all kinds of handy work, from junk removal and home repairs to cleaning or pet care. Donate: queerhandsatl.com/donate.
Voices of Note
With queer arts under attack, supporting LGBTQ+ arts organizations is more important than ever. Voices of Note, the parent organization of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and the Atlanta Women’s Chorus, aims to change hearts and minds through music. With over 260 singers, staff, and board members, Voices of Note is the largest community music organization in the Southeast. Donate: voicesofnote.org/donate.