Former Marines Jorge Perez-Cisneros and Jimmy Baynum, as they prepared to walk in Sunday's parade at the 41st Atlanta Pride Festival with members of a color guard, said the end of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy had heightened the event's importance.
"I believe more military people may come or participate in the parade because they won't be afraid," said Baynum, 42, of Atlanta.
Perez-Cisneros, a school teacher and Marine reservist, said while he's marched in the parade in the past, this year's resonated more.
"This time it is different, because I feel differently about it," said Perez-Cisneros, 45.
The weekend festival was expected to attract a quarter of a million people, according to organizers. Onlookers, including couples, families and the elderly, lined the streets from Ralph McGill Boulevard to Piedmont Park to catch a glimpse of the parade's attractions, among them groups with political messages, non-profit organizations, local clubs, churches and public safety entities. Even members of the Atlanta Police Department walked hand-in-hand with same-sex partners in the parade.
Chris Rogers recalled when the Atlanta Pride Festival numbered less than 2,000 people. The Avondale Estates woman, who participated in Sunday's parade alongside her partner Kathy Britt, said the event has changed notably since she first attended more than 20 years ago.
"I think it has evolved organically from less of a protest to more of a celebration," said Rogers, 44, who represented the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Georgia with Britt. "As society as a whole has started to change, it's become a happy occasion and less of a ‘we-have-something-to-prove' event."
Britt, 44, noted the rise in mainstream corporate sponsorships and plethora of participating politicians as a sign the event has become popular with groups outside the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. The festival was sponsored by Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, Bud Light and others.
Sunday's event was the eighth Atlanta Pride Festival for Gary Monday, of Asheville, N.C. He and his partner, Ben Bryson, came to Atlanta this weekend to help friends participating in the parade with the Hotlanta Square Dance club.
"What I think most people don't realize is that Atlanta, for Southern people, is where a lot of us can come and feel at ease within the gay community," said Monday, 46. "You can be what you want to be."
And that's not easy living in the South, many said Sunday. Sisters Amanda and Michelle Villarimo, members of the Georgia State University Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, said the attitude towards the LGBT community is less welcoming than where they grew up in Washington.
To be sure, the event was attended by a handful of protesters Sunday, some holding signs and others microphones. An Atlanta Police Department spokesman said no incidents were reported.
Amanda Villarimo, who is bisexual, said events such as Pride help counteract some of those negative attitudes.
"I feel like this is a peaceful way to raise awareness," said Amanda Villarimo, 20.
"And a fun way," said Michelle Villarimo, 18, who attended the event to support her sister.
Deserie Storm, who arrived at the parade in a red gown and a Georgia Bulldogs cap, was encouraged by the number of mainstream groups that participated in this year's event.
"It seems like there are a lot more churches and community organizations ... here to support us," Storm said.
Added friend Erica Lee, "We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go."
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