Atlanta has a long history of being LGBTQ+ friendly, with their first Pride parade happening in 1970. As the largest city in Georgia, it’s become a haven for LGBTQ+ people in the South to gather and express themselves freely.
The Big Peach is one of the most gay-friendly cities, thanks to its abundant gay bars, events, delicious restaurants, and accepting attitude.
Atlanta also has some of the strictest LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination laws in place to help keep it one of the safest and best places for those in this community who are considering relocating.
A Brief History of Atlanta’s LGBTQ Community
Atlanta's history of the LGBTQ+ community has evolved tremendously over the last 50+ years. As the state capital and a central metropolitan area of the southern United States, the city and its people have been a driving force in many major gay rights movements.
There have been several milestones that have helped shift this traditionally conservative part of the country to one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities:
1970: The first official Atlanta Pride Parade.
1971: The first organized LGBTQ+ activist group, The Atlanta Gay Liberation Front, is formed.
1972: The city hosts the first Atlanta Pride Festival.
1981: The Atlanta Police Department opened a dedicated LGBTQ+ liaison unit.
1993: Powell v. State received its ruling from the Georgia Supreme Court, allowing all citizens the “liberty of privacy.”
1998: Georgia Equality was founded and became one of the leading voices in the fight for equality.
2004: Voters passed an amendment that banned same-sex marriage.
2015: Obergefell v. Hodges receives its ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, legalizing same-sex marriage.
2018: Atlanta’s City Council unanimously passed a city ordinance to ensure transgender people are allowed equal access to all city facilities.
2021: The largest-ever Pride Festival shows just how important the LGBTQ+ community is to Atlanta.
What’s It Like Today?
Georgia isn’t considered one of the most LGBTQ-friendly states, but the capital city is one of the best options for LGBTQ+ people. With anywhere between 180,000 and 207,000 LGBTQ+ individuals, there’s a strong presence within almost every neighborhood here.
The LGBTQ community in the capital is sizable and active. According to the Movement Advancement Project, Georgia has a fair policy tally regarding LGBTQ issues, indicating a mix of supportive and non-supportive laws.
Atlanta, in particular, stands out within the state for its supportive stance and vibrant LGBTQ scene, including neighborhoods like Midtown, which is known for its LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere.
Every milestone Atlanta has achieved over the past few decades has made it an accepting place to live. There are non-discrimination laws to protect individuals from discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, and more.
Exploring Gay Atlanta: Things to Do, Places to See
Atlanta offers some of the most exciting things to do and see. Whether you’re visiting or considering moving to one of the fantastic neighborhoods, knowing what you can do can make your decision easier.
Events
When you live in this vibrant metropolis, you never have to worry about your social calendar being empty. Even though June is National Pride Month, there are plenty of LGBTQ+ events with drag performers happening year-round:
Black Gay Pride Celebration on Labor Day Weekend
Out on Film and AIDS Walk Atlanta in September
Atlanta Pride Festival in October
Toy Party in December
Nightlife
ATL comes alive at night thanks to its many excellent bars providing karaoke nights, theme parties, live music, and lots of fun. It’s one of the best places if you’re searching for LGBTQ+-friendly or owned spots. Some of the best gay bars and clubs in town that you’ll want to visit are:
My Sister’s Room: My sister’s room has been the only lesbian bar running in the city since opening in 1996.
Bulldogs: This is the oldest gay bar in town, in business for a whopping 42 years.
Blake’s on the Park: It offers craft cocktails, mocktails, and Latin nights and is one of the best gay bars for seeing drag performers.
Mary’s: It’s known as being “America’s Favorite Gay Bar” and certainly lives up to its reputation, thanks to the many parties and delicious drinks.
Woofs Atlanta: The largest and most beloved gay sports bar in the city, offering an inclusive environment for all.
Arts & Culture
While there are a lot of great places to visit when it comes to Atlanta’s nightlife, there is so much more to the city than just that. You’ll find an incredible art scene and a beautiful city with a vibrant culture. Some of the best options are:
Charis Books, the south’s oldest independent feminist bookstore, in Decatur
Out Down South: Voices and Portraits of LGBTQ+ Atlanta, at the Georgia Pacific Plaza
The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead
Atlanta’s Top Gay Neighborhoods
The Big Peach is celebrated for its progressive attitude, making it a welcoming city for LGBTQ individuals. The city’s diverse neighborhoods each offer unique sights and histories, contributing to its reputation as an LGBTQ-friendly destination.
Midtown
Midtown is one of the most popular LGTBQ+-friendly cities and neighborhoods, and it is not just for gays and lesbians.
The neighborhood is the perfect combination of relaxed and lively, making it an excellent option for young professionals and adults. Midtown has several LGBTQ+-friendly bars, restaurants, and other businesses. From drag shows to laid-back bars, there’s an option for anyone who wants to eat, drink, and be merry.
Besides the vibrant nightlife scene, the area’s main attraction is the lush Piedmont Park. It’s perfect for social events, exercise, or some alone time among the hustle and bustle of the city.
Atlanta’s famous Pride Festival is held here annually, making it one of the most LGBT-friendly neighborhoods. For those ready to settle down, nearby Ansley Park offers a quiet respite but is still close to the action.
Decatur
If you’re looking to move to an area that is a little more laid-back than Midtown but still has a significant LGBTQ+ presence, this might be the neighborhood for you. Decatur is located west of this LGBTQ-friendly city and gives you all the charm of a small town with the vibrancy of a big city.
This is the neighborhood that’s ideal for almost everyone. Families with kids, young professionals, and older adults enjoy a calm, comfortable life close to the bustling downtown.
One of the best attractions here is the historic Decatur Square. It’s filled with delicious restaurants like Cafe Lilly and unique shops you can browse along the leafy streets. If you’re looking for gay bars, Victory Sandwich Bar and The Marlay House are great options.
As for events in the neighborhood, you’ll find queer arts and crafts events, drag performances, and other festivals during Pride Month. It’s important to note that Atlanta holds its world-famous Pride Festival in October, not June, due to the high heat and humidity during the summer.
Grant Park
This is the best neighborhood if you want to be close to Downtown Atlanta. The area is known for its stunning Victorian mansions and Craftsman-style homes.
Grant Park's overall vibe is relaxed, blending suburban and urban. It’s family-friendly and close to the city center. What people love the most about this neighborhood is the strong sense of community. While there aren’t any specific LGBTQ+ bars in this area, the bars here are still accepting of the community.
The good news is that the neighborhood is near East Atlanta Village and not far from Midtown, so you can visit bars there.
The main landmarks here are Zoo Atlanta and Grant Park. You can attend the Summer Shade Festival in August, while the Candlelight Tour of Homes makes December a bit jollier.
East Atlanta Village
East Atlanta Village, known to the locals as EAV, is nestled between Decatur and Grant Park. It’s known for its diversity and large LGBTQ+ community. It’s the perfect place to settle in Atlanta if you love artwork, great food, and even better social spaces.
Most would say that EAV has a lively and bohemian vibe. It’s filled with young professionals, long-term residents, and creatives. The best attraction in EAV is the commercial district. It has unique shops, live music venues, and gorgeous street art.
If you enjoy a night out and want to head to a gay bar, you can’t miss Mary’s. It’s famous for its drag shows, karaoke nights, and lively environment – and, of course, a delicious Bloody Mary.
Some events you’ll love while living here are their East Atlanta Village Farmers Market and the East Atlanta Strut.
Moving to Atlanta
If you’ve been considering moving to The Big Peach, having a better overview of the area can help you decide. The Human Rights Campaign has a Municipal Equality Index (MEI) to showcase how cities support the LGBTQ+ community. Atlanta has earned a score of 100 out of 100, making it one of the most gay-friendly cities in the country.
Atlanta is the best place for the LGBTQ+ community compared to nearby cities such as Roswell and Avondale Estates, which scored 5 and 48, respectively.
Besides safety, the cost of living in this metropolitan area is lower than that of other large cities throughout the country. For example, the cost of living in Atlanta is 4.1% lower than in Tampa, Florida, and 22.9% lower than in New York City.
It’s often more affordable to buy a home rather than rent, and that’s still true here. The median price of homes in the city is about $422,000. When finding the right home for you, working with mortgage lenders like Pride Lending can help make the process smoother.
Pride Lending’s friendly and inclusive mortgage brokers can help you find solutions to major expenses, like the down payment. We can access various down payment assistance programs, including city-specific, state-specific, and national options.
One of the best options is the Atlanta Housing Down Payment Assistance program, which can provide first-time homeowners with up top $20,000 in funding. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs also provides loan programs that include down payment assistance, and we can connect you to national programs as well.
If you’re willing to pay mortgage insurance in exchange for a lower upfront investment, we can match you with loan options that only require 3% to 5% down. For example, you can pursue an FHA loan, which only requires 3.5% down for borrowers with a good credit score.
Even with the city’s affordable pricing, the upfront expenses associated with homeownership can be quite steep. Generally, homeowners try to provide a 20% down payment if possible, as this eliminates private mortgage insurance.
Eliminating the substantial cost of private mortgage insurance can help you save money in the long run. However, we understand that a 20% down payment is significant, and Pride Lending can help you find other options if this isn’t
financially possible for your family.
Investing in Real Estate in Atlanta
With the price of real estate reasonably affordable compared to other major cities, investing in commercial space can be an excellent move for you. There are almost 9,000 AirBnBs in Atlanta, with a 58% occupancy rate, so turning a property into an AirBnB could be an excellent investment.
The city has abundant rental properties due to its high tourism rate. The higher the rate, the higher the occupancy rate and the return on investment. In 2019 alone, over 57 million people visited the ATL, with over 300,000 people visiting during Pride events.
If you are considering a home or investment property, get in touch with us today to discuss your options and get a pre-approval to start your home buying journey.
Pride Lending is the first mortgage company in the United States that caters to the LGBTQ community. We’re committed to helping all borrowers find the right solutions for their needs; all of are staff are members or allies of marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities. We seek to demystify the mortgage process while also ensuring quality service for all customers. To get started, call us at 725-231-0192 or email us today.
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