As the Pride Parade and Festival was canceled this year, the Atlanta First United Methodist Church has continued its "Love First" sermon series this Sunday, Oct. 10.
The Atlanta First United Methodist Church announced in a Facebook post on Saturday, Oct. 9. The church said it held the "Love sermon" series, which taught how people love their neighbor.
The event was celebrated with "plenty of love," according to the Atlanta First United Methodist.
Rev. Jasmine Smothers preached the sermon series, the church stated. It was held in the church and also online via Atlanta First United Methodist's Facebook church.
2021 Atlanta Pride Cancellation
Because of the increasing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Delta variant cases, the Atlanta Pride canceled all in-person festivities for the second year in a row, according to a report from Fox 5 Atlanta.
The report stated the Atlanta Pride Committee revealed on Facebook that the 2021 Pride Festival and Parade, which will take place in October in Midtown and Piedmont Park, will be entirely digital.
According to the report, the decision was taken after officials spoke with the community's public health officials.
The report said all in-person events for the festival and parade in 2020 were canceled, with the focus shifting to virtual events when Atlanta Pride was due to take place.
Online Pride Festivities
The report, however, noted that there are still a few virtual events and companies planning to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) pride.
Fox5 said that although the festival's three marches and parade have been canceled, there are still options to attend online panels. It includes having healthcare and self-advocacy, supporting local artists online, listening to Georgia Beer Garden music, and listening to a famed drag queen tell a story.
The Fox 5 Digital Team has listed digital Pride festivities in October, including the "AARP Atlanta presents A Virtual Gay Pride Experience," which taught virtual attendees to learn, share stories, and connect during the Atlanta Pride. It was held on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Meanwhile, a celebration to relax, groove, dance, and sample some craft beer was held in Georgia Beer Garden. According to the report, Tom Deblase, MarceauxMarceaux, Keenan Orr, and Vicki Powel provided the music background during the event last Oct. 9.
The "What's the world?" hosted a digital all-medium art showcase on Oct. 3, the Fox 5 Digital Team said.
The event featured work that included painting, creative writing, and music, it added.
The report said that Miss Terra Cotta Sugarbaker also hosted a pride story hour for family and friends last Oct. 9. The event was hosted on Facebook Live.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Pride Committee and Compassionate Atlanta celebrated pride for LGBTQ people with disabilities on Oct. 10.
The report bared that the public was also welcomed to celebrate Atlanta Pride and National Coming Out Day with a powerup. People of all body types and experiences levels were invited to join during the event. The yoga instructions began at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 11.
Those who wish to see more information written in this article may visit the Fox 5 Digital Team's news report.
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