The thirteenth annual Augusta Pride Festival was in full swing downtown on Saturday, featuring a parade, food vendors, small businesses and live music along Broad Street.
Michael Jenkins, president of Augusta Pride, said the festival was about taking time to celebrate the progress that’s been made so far to protect the LGBTQ community. Last year, more than 15,000 attended the festival.
“With all the negativity and uncertainty surrounding our community, it is of utmost importance for us to come together to fly our flags high and show the world that we are your friends, neighbors, coworkers, family and loved ones,” said Jenkins.
The parade, which started at 10 a.m. on Saturday, was expected to have 800 participants, including groups representing Unity of Augusta, H&M and Augusta Region Pups & Handlers.
Christie Hendrix, who was watching the parade with her two kids, said the celebration was about being able to live freely and showing kids that they don’t have to be fearful.
“Watching my kids enjoy [the parade] makes me kind of emotional,” she said.
Cassandra Harris, a retired school teacher who attended the parade, said she saw many students who were part of the LGBTQ community suffer in school. Her sister was part of the LGBTQ community but passed away in January before she could marry her long-term partner, she said.
“It’s fabulous,” she said about the celebration. “Everyone knows someone who is LGBTQ.”
A protestor, Abe, who declined to provide a last name, was standing at the intersection of Broad Street and James Brown Boulevard and wearing a bright yellow shirt that said, ‘Fear God.’ He engaged in debates with many of the festival’s attendees.
When one asked how he was loving his neighbors, he told them that he was showing love to them by sharing the message of the Bible with them.
“Homosexuality is an abomination and a sin that leads to hell,” Abe said. “I want them to believe and go to heaven.”
Kai Arthur stood nearby watching Abe’s interactions with festivalgoers.
“Some people have views based on religion, which is fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But these people just came down to attend a parade. It’s not fair,” Arthur said.
Many of the festivalgoers said Augusta has become increasingly welcoming to the LGBTQ community.
“When you look at the ratio of those who are more welcoming versus those who are not, there’s a greater number of those who are welcoming,” said Ty Manley.
Caitlin Ferrell was part of the group manning the booth for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta, which she said is welcoming to the LGBTQ community. Same-sex couples can get married at the church, she said.
“Our mission is to create a beloved community,” she said. “All are welcome.”
