Grapevine - Pride Month October 2023

Happy Pride Month (again)!  I must begin this Fall Classic Edition of ReConnect with a shout-out to our esteemed friend and colleague, Lance Hornecker.  If not for him, I would still be pondering how Pride Month transitioned from June to October here in A-Town.  It’s true that nationally, Pride Month is recognized in June, but Atlanta is a special case.  I’ll tell you why after I provide a refresher on how this day of celebration came to be.  Originally, it was not a celebratory moment at all.  On the contrary, Pride Month is the result of the terrible riots against the LGBTQ community that broke out in Manhattan in June 1969.  This “Stonewall Uprising” as it was referred to turned out to be the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.  The first Pride March was held in NYC in June 1970 on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.  Activists felt strongly that this March had to happen.  Extensive planning around the event framed it as a celebration, but because we know the story of the Stonewall Uprising, we know that this event was essential for the LGBTQ Community to demonstrate against centuries of abuse.  Three to five thousand attended the first march in New York City in June 1970.  Today, you can expect that number to be several million!

So, why did Atlanta transition from recognizing Pride Month in June to October?  This story goes back a few years.  Georgia faced a devastating drought in 2008.  Water levels at Lake Lanier Plummeted.  The drought impacted Piedmont Park, limiting many events including this one because there was so much damage to the landscape caused by the dry weather.  Atlanta Pride searched for a new home outside of Piedmont Park, but things just never worked out.  Piedmont Park is centrally located, offering 200 acres of beautiful and functional landscape.   It is the perfect location for so many events and a difficult one to give up.  Originally, Atlanta Pride tried to host the event at Piedmont Park around Halloween but eventually moved to mid-October to coincide with National Coming Out Day.  How appropriate!  Atlanta has seen record attendance since making this move, likely due to the amazing Fall weather coupled with the lack of competition with other cities.  For all of you heading out to Piedmont Park this weekend, I wish you a safe and amazing festival and parade.  Atlanta proud! 

Less than two weeks after the Atlanta Pride Festival, Piedmont Park will also be home to our very own Fall Classic!  Get your Bags, Balls, and Designer Overalls ready, Friends.  It’s time for us to come together to Connect, Compete and Celebrate!   On October 25^th from 11:30 am – 6:00 pm, we’ll have the opportunity to network with fellow MPI Members, entertain clients, meet potential new clients, lunch & learn, and have a little friendly competition in the beautiful setting of Piedmont Park.  This year the Fall Classic has evolved, replacing the 18-hole golf tournament with Bocce, Corn Hole and Mini-Golf.  I don’t know about you, but I think this new format will be so engaging.  Registration is still open.  Click on the button below or risk having FOMO come October 26!  We’ll be wrapping up the day between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm with an awards reception in Magnolia Hall.  I look forward to seeing you there!