Victoria Lightfoot

Atlanta Recognized as Top Gay-Friendly Travel Destination

Pride Festival

Atlanta continues to receive national recognition as a top U.S. gay travel destination. In August, Gaytravel.com listed Atlanta as one of the “Top 10 Gayest Cities in the South.” In June, Passport Magazine recognized Atlanta as a “Great Destination for Gay Families,” citing venues like the Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain Park and the Center for Puppetry Arts as ideal stops on a visiting family’s itinerary.

“Atlanta continues to receive recognition as the world’s most welcoming city,” said William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The LGBT community is a very important travel segment for our city, and we offer a variety of events and promotions to encourage LGBT travelers to make a visit to Atlanta.”

Atlanta, which recently became a Silver Global Partner of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, hosts a number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) events throughout the year. Taking place Oct. 12-13, Atlanta Pride Festival is the largest pride festival in the Southeast, and provides an outlet for celebration while promoting equality. The festival draws more than 200,000 people to Atlanta, and serves as the centerpiece of the Atlanta Pride Committee’s activism efforts.

Held over Labor Day weekend, the Atlanta Black Pride Festival provides a platform for African-American LGBT community members to gather for music, film and parties throughout Midtown. The Out On Film Festival features eight days of cinematic showings that document the journeys of the gay community. The East Point Possums Show is a large, outdoor drag show that raises funds for charity by celebrating self-expression.

“I have lived in the South all of my life, and I love that Atlanta is a city that honors its historical context and still pushes forward to reach for full equality for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, creed, culture or religion,” said Buck Cooke, Executive Director of The Atlanta Pride Committee. “At Atlanta Pride, we dream that dream every day.”

An ever-growing metropolis, Atlanta boasts colorful neighborhoods, each with its own local flavor. Midtown melds in-town glitz with a healthy dose of culture. The Westside, a former meatpacking district, is a magnet for foodies, fashionistas and design enthusiasts. Buckhead blends boutique shopping with fabulous dining, while Little Five points lives on the edge with its bohemian grunge culture.

Visit www.gay-atlanta.com for more gay-friendly Atlanta travel deals and ideas, including attractions, restaurants, nightlife and more.

Celebrating 100 years of hospitality, ACVB is a private, nonprofit organization created to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.

###