Atlanta’s Southern Fried Queer Pride returns with an epic week-long festival

For a decade, Atlanta-based Southern Fried Queer Pride has served black and brown queer communities through numerous programs, including its flagship festival. The weeklong event, held this year June 24-30 in Little Five Points, will commemorate the organization’s 10th anniversary.

Last year, Southern Fried Queer Pride expanded its festival from three days to a full week. They also announced plans to launch their first community space, Clutch. The 4,300-square-foot warehouse was originally scheduled to open this spring, but Alxndr said he will have some exciting updates to share about the new space next month. Planning 50 events each year with a team of 6-10 people can be daunting, but Southern Fried Queer Pride knows its work is essential.

Credit: Courtesy of Southern Fried Queer Pride

Credit: Courtesy of Southern Fried Queer Pride

“We’ve been trying to expand all of our programming so we can offer more to the community,” Alxndr said. “Also, (in) learning and growing as an organization, (there are) a lot of ups and downs, some very high highs and some pretty confusing middles and lows, but I think when you do community work, you need to be flexible. in your expectations and we always live up to it.

The Southern Pride Queer Pride Festival kicks off Monday with a gallery at 7 Stages that celebrates the nonprofit’s work over the years. Other events throughout the week include a trans open mic, a black gender workshop, a queer film festival, a variety show and more.

This year’s festival will feature a new element: a street market. The market has more than 70 artist vendors along Euclid Avenue.

“Typically we’ve held (the markets) in parking lots and inside performance venues, but it will be about a half block of vendors, artists and organizations,” said Alxndr. “It’s also exciting because we have our first outdoor stage. It’s a dedicated stage where you’ll see music, drag comedy, someone eating fire. We’re going to have DJs and also yoga to kick off each day.

Alxndr noted that the Southern Fried Queer Pride Festival is one of the major Pride celebrations happening in June in Atlanta. The city hosts Black Pride in September and Atlanta Pride in October.

They said the festival would also be a fundraiser for local Palestinian-led organizations and aid efforts.

“It’s a special year because it’s our 10th anniversary, and as a small grassroots organization, you don’t really see a lot of things last that long, so I think that’s a testament to our work ethic and dedication. our commitment to the community that we”I lasted so long. … Our festival is a mix of politics, party and education, and I think sometimes that gets lost in pride festivals.”

Alxndr hopes the festival will kick off a new decade for the nonprofit. But they put more effort into ensuring attendees feel seen.

“I want them to know that they can bring their 100% authentic selves to the festival. We are trying to create an intentional space where everyone can just feel at home and feel natural without having to hide certain aspects of themselves or modify themselves to be in the space, in events, in parties or on the markets.

Southern Fried Queer Pride Festival 2024

June 24-30. Various locations throughout Little Five Points. $5-20. Southernfriedqueerpride.com/sfqpfest2024.