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The annual YouthPride Prom attracts hundreds of young people each year. (Photo by Rob Beck)
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YouthPride Prom
July 4, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Rainbow Center at the Civic Center
YouthPride Entertainment Block
July 5, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Bud Light Stage
www.youthpride.org
www.atlantapride.org
Family Center
Co-Sponsored by MEGA Family Project
Saturday, July 5 , 11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Piedmont Room at Atlanta Civic Center
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HOME > COMMUNITY > PRIDE
By: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
COMMENTS |
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YouthPride continues its tradition of providing a safe space for gay youth to join in the Pride celebration with this year’s annual YouthPride Prom, held at the Civic Center’s Rainbow Center on July 4.
“It’ll be a fun thing for folks to do on July 4,” says John-Paul Griffin, YouthPride’s director of programs.
This year’s Prom entertainment roster includes the winners of the 2008 Mr. and Mrs. YouthPride competition, plus a variety of other yet-to-be-named Atlanta talent.
Griffin says the goal for the event is to provide a fun place for youth to celebrate without worry.
“Pride Prom was started so that any gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender youth could feel like they had an opportunity to go to a prom where they don’t have to worry about what they wear or who they go with,” he says. “The event in the last couple of years has attracted young people from all over the southeast, and as with Pride, it’s just another really great addition to the lineup of events. It’s exclusively for queer young people, and it’s drug and alcohol free. It’s a fun, safe space.”
Also on YouthPride’s event lineup for Pride is the YouthPride entertainment block, taking place on Atlanta Pride's Bud Light stage. Previous years have included spoken word and dance acts to musical performances, and Griffin expects to continue that tradition this year.
— Rob Beck
MEGA Family Project will offer plenty of
children’s activities at the Family Center.
(File photo) |
The Civic Center location allows the family events at Atlanta Pride to be held indoors, and MEGA Family Project takes over the Family Center duties from the Pride committee this year.
Kathy Kelly of MEGA says that the high level of quality activities for kids and families who attended Pride's Family Center in the past will remain the same. Pride organizers approached Kelly about MEGA Family's interest in running the center this year.
“This is new for us, [maintaining] a family center and a booth.” Kelly says. “It'll be a bit of a stretch, but we can manage.”
The relocation of Pride to the Civic Center was a major reason in Mega Project's willingness to operate the family activities.
“Families with small children cannot be out in the heat and sun for long,” Kelly says.
Kelly assures that there will be plenty for kids 12 and under and their families to do and stay entertained.
“We will have games, carnival style games, arts and crafts, story-time and plenty of family activities,” Kelly says.
The Family Center will be located in the Piedmont Room inside the Civic Center.
— Rory Parker
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