Around 2,900 runners headed to Piedmont Park on Sunday morning for the annual Pride Run ATL 5K.
It was the first in a series of events around Atlanta in June that will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has sought to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives — which oftentimes support LGBTQ+ efforts — in public schools and other organizations that receive government funding. The Trump administration has also banned trans people from the military and signed an executive order to prevent trans girls from participating in school sports.
Julia Stewart, one of the Pride Run ATL 5K organizers, suspects the administration’s attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community is part of why some donors wanted to remain anonymous this year and why there were fewer runners than last year.
“Sponsorship has been down this year as a result,” Stewart said.
But the community has stepped up.
“I definitely think the climate socially and politically inspired more people to come out and be supportive,” she said.
Credit: Cassidy Alexander
Credit: Cassidy Alexander
Emmie Banks, who ran in the 5K with friends Shannon Tillison and Justin Santos, said that’s the point of events like this.
“It felt more important than ever” to participate in the Pride event, said Banks, 27.
Adam Holt, 34, said the political climate empowered him to participate in the run for a second time.
“We have to stay visible and loud,” he said.
Participants ran around the perimeter of Piedmont Park and ended near the Charles Allen Drive Gate.
At the end of the run were dozens of vendors, photo opportunities and music and drag performances. People wearing rainbow clothing or Pride flags tied around their shoulders cheered runners and walkers on as they crossed the finish line.
“This is like home,” Santos said.
Credit: Cassidy Alexander
Credit: Cassidy Alexander
The run has raised more than $370,000 since it started in 1991 for HIV and AIDS services in Atlanta. Proceeds from the run go to local charities like AID Atlanta (which seeks to prevent HIV infections); Bridge of Light (which fights homelessness); Lost + Found Youth (which supports LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness); and Inclusive Recovery (which works to creative safe recovery spaces for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities).
Pride started in 1970, a year after a police raid on a Manhattan gay bar in New York City led to the Stonewall Uprising and became a catalyst for the gay rights movement. Now Pride month events commemorate that history and celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and rights.
The first pride week featured marches in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, and it has since grown to other cities.
Cities around the world are hosting pride celebrations this month: Tokyo on June 8; New Orleans on June 14; Chicago on June 21-22; and New York, Paris and Toronto over the weekend of June 28-29.
The Atlanta Pride Festival takes place when the weather cools off in October, which coincides with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.
Brittany Petty, 32, came from Birmingham, Alabama, to run the 5K.
“I’ll definitely be back,” she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Credit: Cassidy Alexander
Credit: Cassidy Alexander
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