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During Pride in 1982, which had the theme ‘Stonewall Then, Atlanta Now,’ more than 4,000 people participated in a rally at the State Capitol.
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HOME > COMMUNITY > PRIDE
By: LAURA DOUGLAS-BROWN
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On June 28, 1969, police who went to conduct a routine raid at a New York City gay bar called the Stonewall Inn got a major surprise: A ragtag bunch of drag queens, gay men and lesbians fought back against the police harassment in what became known as the Stonewall Riots.
The significance of the tumultuous three days that followed seemed immediately clear. By the next year, activists in several cities around the country held their own marches and rallies to observe the riot’s anniversary. These marches became the first Gay Pride celebrations, and the riots that sparked them became known as the beginning of the modern gay rights movement.
1970
On the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, some sources say about 100 activists marched down Peachtree Street. The march received no media coverage, and no known records remain, leading some to dispute whether it happened.
1971
Democratic party activist Bill Smith legally incorporates the revolutionary Gay Liberation Front, following the trend of GLF groups springing up around the country. GLF sponsors Atlanta’s first official “Gay Liberation Day” (“lesbian” isn’t specifically included yet) march down Peachtree Street to Piedmont Park. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covers the march and estimates attendance at less than 50; GLF estimates 125.
1972
Over 300 march in the next Gay Pride, which is covered widely by local television. GLF again sponsors the event, but dissolves the next year. Charlie St. John is appointed by Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell to the city’s Community Relations Commission. He is the city’s first openly gay appointee. Pride is viewed by some gay businesses as too radical, and two large gay bars throw out activists distributing Pride fliers.
1973
Gay Pride continues to grow, although some marchers wear paper bags over their heads to demonstrate the dangers of coming out. Gays picket the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after Charlie St. John is fired from his job as a copy carrier for distributing Gay Pride fliers. The GBI searches St. John’s apartment on drug charges many believe to be fabricated.
1974
The Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance, formed in 1972, fields the first openly lesbian softball team to play in the city league, and helps coordinate Lesbian & Gay Pride Day.
1975
Local gay media outlets founded in the year before now cover Pride, with attendance estimated at 600. The Barb bills itself as “the groovy newspaper covering Atlanta and the Southeast”; Cruise is a gay bar guide.
1976
Gay Pride celebrates the theme “Christopher St. South” with 1,000 marchers. Mayor Maynard Jackson issues a “Gay Pride Day” proclamation. Angry conservatives form Citizens for a Decent Atlanta, call for Jackson’s resignation, and take out large newspaper ads claiming the proclamation encourages “acts against the moral laws of Judeo-Christian tradition.”
The Gay Pride Planning Committee renames itself the Gay Rights Alliance, and although there was often tension between radical activists like GLF and more mainstream groups like gay churches around the first Pride marches, members of the new group include the Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance, Dykes for a Second American Revolution, the Metropolitan Community Church, Dignity (gay Catholics) and Integrity (gay Episcopalians).
1977
Stung by controversy from the year before, Mayor Jackson issues a “Human Rights Week” proclamation instead of “Gay Pride.” About 1,500 attend Pride, in which the Gay Rights Alliance carries a banner calling for national gay rights legislation and an Atlanta gay rights ordinance (not passed until 1986). At Pride, Gil Robison announces the formation of a gay political group, First Tuesday. Suggested chants distributed at the march include “Anita Bryant go away: Gay rights are here to stay” — a reference to the controversial orange juice queen turned anti-gay spokesperson.
1978
Anita Bryant doesn’t go away, and in fact comes to Atlanta to give the keynote address at the Southern Baptist Convention at the World Congress Center. A protest at Bryant’s June 11 visit takes the place of the usual gay Pride celebration, and police estimate 2,000 march on the World Congress Center. Activists place attendance as high as 4,000, and money collected at the rally is used to start the Atlanta Gay Center, which later became the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Center.
1979
Pride is put together by those helping organize the First National March on Washington for Lesbian & Gay Rights. Ten years after the Stonewall Riots, Pride’s theme is “Lavender Anniversary.” Events include the first gay ...
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