Pride leaders and researcher discuss progress and challenges facing Atlanta’s LGBTQ community

Pedestrians cross a rainbow painted crosswalk in Midtown Atlanta on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay nightclub in New York City, triggering days of protests and creating a pivotal moment in American history and the gay rights movement worldwide.

On the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, people across the country began honoring the achievements and contributions of the LGBTQ community, with the celebrations growing into what is now known as Pride Month.

On Monday’s special edition of “Closer Look,” show host Rose Scott talks with the leaders of several Atlanta area organizations to get a pulse on the state of Atlanta’s LGBTQ community amid the ongoing challenges to LGBTQ rights.

First, Rose spoke with Tim’m West, the executive director of the LGBTQ Institute, and Giacomo Negro, a professor at Emory University’s Goizueta School of Business and the lead researcher for the 2022 Southern Survey. They discussed the survey’s key findings that examine the quality of life for people who are part of the LGBTQ community in the South.

In addition, Terence Stewart, the president of Atlanta Black Pride, and Chris McCain, the new executive director for the Atlanta Pride Committee, discussed Pride Month, DEI and the state of Atlanta’s LGBTQ community amid the ongoing challenges to LGBTQ rights.