Long may she wave
Apr. 15 — The Pride flag is officially flying over the Stonewall National Monument in New York City again after a federal judge handed the Trump administration another defeat. More on that below. On Saturday, I attended the memorial service for Atlanta LGBTQ+ activist and historian Dave Hayward. It was a lovely event, and it was great to see such a cross section of the community there to say goodbye – and sing a few of Dave’s favorite songs (including the one linked in my sign-off).
Here are a few news headlines:
📚 A Georgia special education paraprofessional says she was forced to resign after telling a student she was a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
🙄 The White House submitted its 2027 budget request to Congress, outlining a push for the FBI to “proactively” target what it describes as “extremism” related to gender — raising concerns about the potential for law enforcement to target LGBTQ+ people.
🤬 The Tennessee Senate on Monday passed an amended version of SB676, a bill that would require the state to collect detailed data on transgender patients.
🇭🇺 After years of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, members of the queer community in Hungary are cautiously hopeful that Peter Magyar’s win over Viktor Orban will bring change.
Everything’s waiting for you…
Collin
🐾 The Midtown Mutt Gala returns May 3 from 2–5 p.m. for an afternoon of fashionable pups, music, vendors, and a doggy red carpet complete with Pawpurazzi. A small fee applies to enter the costume contest. Register by Apr. 26 and learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Court orders Pride flag to return to Stonewall
🏳️🌈 The Pride flag will once again fly over the Stonewall National Monument in New York following a court order requiring the National Park Service to raise it over the site.
The decision follows a lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal and the Washington Litigation Group in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which challenged the removal as unconstitutional under the Administrative Procedure Act and argued that the government unlawfully targeted the LGBTQ community.
In February, the NPS removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument, the first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights and history in the U.S. The move followed a Jan. 21 memorandum issued by President Donald Trump-appointed NPS Director Jessica Bowron restricting which flags may be flown at national parks.
➡ Read Washington Blade contributor Joe Reberkenny’s report here.
Take Flight at Fernbank Museum
SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MUSEUM
🦋 Experience spring in a spectacular way with Flight of Butterflies at Fernbank Museum.
Twenty-five larger-than-life butterfly sculptures transform the nature paths in WildWoods into a breathtaking outdoor gallery.
➞ Let your imagination take flight at Fernbank.
Georgia Equality endorses Jason Esteves for governor
🗳️ The Board of Directors of Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, has announced its first round of endorsements for the primary and nonpartisan elections in May.
In the primary election for Governor, Georgia Equality has endorsed Jason Esteves. Esteves is a former public school teacher, lawyer, Atlanta Board of Education member, and Georgia state senator. He is running on a platform of cutting the cost of living, expanding access to health care, and investing in Georgia’s small businesses.
In the Georgia Supreme Court election, Georgia Equality has endorsed Jen Jordan for the seat occupied by Justice Warren and Miracle Rankin for the seat occupied by Justice Bethel.
➡ Find out more about the endorsements here.
🐾 The Midtown Mutt Gala returns May 3 from 2–5 p.m. for an afternoon of fashionable pups, music, vendors, and a doggy red carpet complete with Pawpurazzi. A small fee applies to enter the costume contest. Register by Apr. 26 and learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Best Bets
🗣️ Acclaimed poet Danez Smith will read on April 17 at the Atlanta History Center’s 12th Night Revel and on April 18 at the Auburn Avenue Research Library. Read Jim Farmer’s interview with Smith here.
😂 The Smyrna Pride Comedy Show fundraiser is set for April 18 at 8 p.m. at KOS, Inc., featuring local LGBTQ+ comedians.
🪩 Club One in Savannah will bid adieu to its longtime home with a Farewell to Jefferson Drag Brunch on April 19 at 1 p.m. before moving to its new venue on Williamson Street.
🎤 Caroline Kingsbury is bringing her “Shock Treatment” tour to Aisle 5 in Atlanta on April 19. The 80s-inspired pop diva has been riding high with the viral hit “Kissing Someone Else” and has a new album.
🎨 Black Queer Artist Club is back April 21 at 6:30 p.m. with a Beltline Mural@Walk — a workshop that invites Black queer and trans participants to explore art on the Atlanta Beltline through your own and collective expression.
➡ To see more upcoming events, visit our IG stories @thegeorgiavoice.
