East Side Pride Dines Out At Sweet Potato Cafe!

East Side Pride is at it again!

It's been a minute since we got together, so we hope to see all of you PROUD East Siders at Sweet Potato Cafe in Stone Mountain Village for a dinner get-together! It's very casual, there is no agenda and everyone is welcome.

When: Wednesday, February 27th, at 6:30pm! Can't make it at 6:30? No problem, just come when you can.

Where: Sweet Potato Cafe at 5377 Manor Drive in Stone Mountain Village.

How: We'll meet at the restaurant, and everyone will be responsible for their own check.

Who: All Proud East Siders, their families, and friends.

So, come out. Get to know your neighbors. Discover a new restaurant.Support local business. And have a great time!

East Side Pride GROOVY Beach Party!

Look out hot-doggers and beach bunnies - this East Side Pride event is going to be the grooviest!

Join your East Side friends for a beach party and cookout at Kenilworth Circle Lake in Stone Mountain. Kenilworth Circle is a groovyl little "gayborhood", and the lake is 100% suitable for swimming, and has a floating dock, a pavilion, and kayaks are welcome. For the land-lovers, we'll have some groovy music and "beach blanket bingo." We'll have burgers and hots dogs for the grill, but everyone who can

is asked to bring a dish and/or beverages (adult beverages are A-okay). There is an actual beach, so you might want to bring chairs, blankets, or an umbrella. Sorry, no parking on the dam, no pets on the beach, and parking only on the beach side of the street.

When? Saturday, August 4th, from 3pm 'til 8pm.
Who? All PROUD East Siders, and their friends and families!
Where? Kenilworth Circle, Stone Mountain

Don't be a square and miss this far out fun!

Are YOU Ready For The Annual East Side PRIDE Picnic?

Pride - (noun); 1. a feeling of honor and self-respect; a sense of personal worth. 2. satisfaction or pleasure in one's own, or another's, success and achievements.

You and yours are most warmly invited to join your family, friends, neighbors, and community, for East Side Pride's annual PRIDE PICNIC! We'll be celebrating our vibrant, unique, and fabulously diverse East Side LGBT community on Saturday, June 23rd, from 3-8pm, at Milam Park in Clarkston.

The incredible DJ Duck will keep the dancefloor jumping, and we'll have a family-friendly play zone for kids, LGBT-friendly vendors and organizations, and refreshments. And, the brand new Milam Park pool will be open, so bring a bathing suit! It's a pot luck style picnic, so please bring a favorite dish to share or something to grill if you can.


The East Side Pride Picnic is generously sponsored by Adams Apples, Trilogy, Tony Nastri at Keller Williams Realty, and author and spiritual director Dr. Lou Kavar! 

When? Saturday, June 23rd, from 3pm 'til 8pm
Who? All PROUD East Siders, and their friends and families!
Where? Milam Park at 3867 Norman Road, Clarkston, GA




If you are interested in reserving a vendor space, or becoming a sponsor, please e-mail EastSidePride@rocketmail.com, or stop in at Trilogy Bookstore in Avondale Estates, and speak with Sean or Val!

We're LOUD. We're PROUD. And we're just EAST OF THE PERIMETER!

East Side Pride!

Three Strikes, You're IN!

East Side Pride hit the lanes at Stars and Strikes in Stone Mountain tonight, and had a blast!  We had a good turnout and a lot of new faces and just a few gutter balls.  THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported the East Side!  Stay tuned for upcoming events, and e-mail EastSidePride@rocketmail.com with any suggestions or ideas you have for fun East Side get-togethers.  To see photos, check out the photo album to the right, under "Ready For Our Close-Ups" ---->>

East Side Pride Stars & Strikes Night!

Dust off your bowling shoes and get ready for a night of bowling fun at Stars & Strikes in Stone Mountain! Stars & Strikes is an enormous, newly-opened complete fun center with bowling, bumper cars, laser tag, video games, a balladium, a complete restaurant...and more.

We've got a couple of lanes reserved next to each other, and we'll meet up just inside the entrance. You don't have to be a good bowler...it's just about having a good time and a few laughs. If you're just not the bowling type, there are LOTS of other fun things to do!

How? The cost is $5.19 per person, per game. Shoe rental is $3.99 for adults and $2.50 for children 12 and under. Lazer Tag is $7.99 per person per game. Bumper Cars are $5 per person.

Where? Stars & Strikes at 1741 Mountain Industrial Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Who? All Proud East Siders, their friends and family!

When? Friday, March 9th at 8pm!

Message us with any questions, or e-mail us at EastSidePride@rocketmail.com.

Great Turnout for East Side Pride Day At The Doggie Park!

We had a great turnout for East Side Pride Day At The Doggie Park!  Around thirty Proud East Siders and their furry children came out and enjoyed the beautiful spring afternoon at Milam Park in Clarkston.  

 
Because it was such a good time, we're going to make this a regular meet-up.  Stay tuned here, or on the East Side Pride Facebook page, for dates and times of upcoming ESP Doggie Days!   For photos, check out the photo album under "Ready For Our Closeups" to the right  ---> 

East Side Pride Stands With JCPenney, Ellen, and Equality!

JCPenney recently changed their branding and logo, and introduced Ellen DeGeneres as their new spokesperson.  Almost immediately, the anti-gay hate group, One Million Moms, launched a a JCPenney boycott in an effort to have Ellen fired.  From the One Million Moms website...

“Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of their customers are traditional families.  More sales will be lost than gained unless they replace their spokesperson quickly. Unless JC Penney decides to be neutral in the culture war then their brand transformation will be unsuccessful.”

Yesterday, over thirty PROUD East Siders came out to JCPenney at Northlake Mall to show their support for equality and to thank JCPenney for doing the right thing and for standing by their new spokesperson, Ellen DeGeneres.  Many more participated by shopping JCPenney online, and well over $1,000 was spent. 

We really want to THANK all who participated.  It was a fun job, well done!  Also, congratulations to Cherry, Carlos, and Jamie for winning the JCPenney gift cards, and the Trilogy Bookstore gift certificate in the raffle. 

Finally, we want to encourage everyone to shop locally and smartly.  If you have a smart phone, take a minute to download HRC's  free "Buying for Workplace Equality" app, so you can easily decide how to best spend your LGBTQ-friendly dollars! 

East Side Pride Day At The Doggie Park!

Spring is in the air and the great outdoors is calling!

Milam Dog Park in Clarkston has been recently renovated, and you're invited to join East Side Pride for a Doggie Day at the Park! We're hoping for some beautiful spring weather for a day of relaxing and getting to know other PROUD East Side dog lovers. Bring your pooch(es) and let 'em enjoy a few hours of running, jumping, and romping with new friends.   Don't have a canine companion?   No problem!  You're MORE than welcome to come hang out and watch the dogs have a ball! 

When? Sunday, February 26th, from 3pm until 5pm.

Where? Milam Dog Park at 3867 Norman Road in Clarkston

How? Just bring your pooch or puppy. There are some simple rules posted by the City of Clarkston... For rules, click here.  There is no cost, and there is plenty of parking.

Who? All PROUD East Siders, their family, friends, and of course, canine companions!

East Side Pride JC Penney BUY-Cott - Shopping For Equality!

Join East Side Pride for "Shopping for Equality" at JC Penney at Northlake Mall on Saturday, February 18th, from 3pm until 6pm!

A few weeks ago, JC Penney hired Ellen DeGeneres as their new spokesperson, citing a desire to put the fun back into retail shopping. Almost immediately, the anti-gay hate group, One Million Moms, launched a campaign to have Ellen fired, simply because she is gay.

JC Penney is standing by Ellen, and standing up for equality. And, so is East Side Pride! In response to One "Million" Moms' JC Penney boycott, we'll be heading to JC Penney at Northlake Mall for a BUY-cott! Need some clothes, housewares, or home furnishings? This will be your chance to shop and support equality all at the same time!

We'll meet inside the mall, at the bottom floor entrance to JC Penney at 3pm, and shop 'til we drop. Can't make it at 3pm? No worries, just come when you can, and let 'em know you're SHOPPING WITH ELLEN FOR EQUALITY!

Northlake Mall
4800 Briarcliff Road
Atlanta, GA 30345

Yoga, Wine, Skates, and Chaka Khan - An East Side Pride Holiday Season!

The holiday season is here, and New Year's resolutions are just a few weeks away...what a great time to relax the mind, body, and soul with some yoga and wine!

Join East Side Pride at YOGA WITH MOLLY this Wednesday, December 14th, from 6pm until 8pm. The studio is located at 367 North Clarendon Avenue in Scottdale (between the DeKalb Farmer's Market at Trilogy in Avondale Estates).

From 6 until 7, Proud East Sider, Molly will lead a beginner's yoga class. It's a great introduction for those who've been wanting to try yoga, or who haven't hit the mat for a long time.

The class will be followed by a very casual wine and cheese meet and greet, and, of course, non-alcoholic refreshments will be served too!

This event it FREE, so, come out, de-stress, pamper yourself a bit, prepare for your New Year's resolutions, and make some new friends on the East Side!

And, Thursday, December 15th, skate away your holiday stress with PRIDE SK8 and EAST SIDE PRIDE!

When? THIS Thursday, December 15th, from 6pm until 9pm.

Who? ALL are welcome! This is an LGBTQ-friendly, All-Ages event!

Where? All American Skating Center at 5400 Bermuda Road in Stone Mountain (just off of 78)

How? $6 admission. $3 skate rental (or bring your own skates or blades)

So, come out and wrap yourself in the joy of socializing & skating with friends - old and new! Take home one of our 8 Christmas Stockings to fill for a needy child!l ~ RAFFLE for BRAND NEW ROLLER SKATES!!!

See y'all on the wood! 

And, last, but not least (and definitely funniest), you won't want to miss the hot-off-the-press production of "The Christmas Report" at ART Station in downtown Stone Mountain Village!  Shows are December 15th -18th and December 21st -23rd.  Click here for more information.

And, stay tuned for our upcoming annual Chaka-Khan-Ukkah Festival in Janauary!  

East Side Pride Stone Mountain Hike!

Stone Mountain is a unique geological treasure, Georgia's biggest tourist attraction, and literally the foundation of the East Side. You are invited to join East Side Pride as we take advantage of the late autumn weather and take a hike up the mountain!

We'll meet in the FREE parking lot in downtown Stone Mountain Village (next to City Hall at 922 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083). We'll start off along the scenic path way past the Village Visitor Center Caboose, and into the park. Then, we'll head to the Walk-Up Trail, and hike to the summit. The trail is a 1.3 mile uneven gradual climb to the summit (but there are a few spots that are fairly steep, and may be difficult for some folks). The reward awaiting us at the top is a spectacular 365 degree sunset view of metro Atlanta! The complete hike will be about 4 miles.

Since we'll be parking in Stone Mountain Village, and hiking into the park...this event is FREE. All ages and skill levels are welcome to join - no one is required to make it to the summit! 

When: Saturday, November 12th, at 4pm.

Where: Meeting at the Main Parking Lot in Stone Mountain Village

Who: All Proud East Siders and Pride Sk8ters, their families, and friends. All are welcome.

Come out! Get some fresh air and enjoy the autumn colors! Get some needed pre-season exercise!  Make some new friends!  Be a Proud East Sider!

Need A Little Drama In Your Life?

If you need a little drama in your life, join East Side Pride this Saturday evening at OnStage Atlanta in North Decatur, for "Picasso at the Lapine Agile".

Picasso meets Einstein in a bar...comedy ensues! This hysterical play features the characters of Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, who meet at a bar called the Lapin Agile (Nimble Rabbit) in Montmartre, Paris. It is set on October 8, 1904, and both men are on the verge of an amazing idea (Einstein will publish his special theory of relativity in 1905 and Picasso will paint Les Demoiselles d'Avignon in 1907) when they find themselves at the Lapin Agile, where they have a lengthy debate about the value of genius and talent while interacting with a host of other characters.

When: Saturday, October 22nd, 8pm sharp (we'll be mingling beforehand).

Where: OnStage Atlanta at 2597 N Decatur Road, Decatur GA 30033

How: Tickets are available online, by phone, or at the box office. Advance tickets are $12 for students, $14 for seniors, and $17 for adults.

Who: All Proud East Siders and Pride Sk8ters, their families, and friends. All are welcome.

Seats are limited, so get your tickets now! Visit http://www.onstageatlanta.com/boxoffice.htm, or call 404) 897-1802 for details

Come out. Meet new friends. Support your community. And have a big laugh or two. Looking forward to seeing YOU at the theat-ah!

New Weekly PROUD East Side Roller Disco Party!

East Side Pride and Pride Sk8 America are PROUD to announce the kick-off of a *WEEKLY* LGBT night at All American Skating Center in Stone Mountain!

This is all-ages, family-friendly good time will go down every Thursday evening, from 6-9pm...beginning Atlanta Pride Week, October 6th!

When: Thursday, October 6th (and every Thursday after), from 6pm 'til 9pm.

Where: All American Recreation Center at 5400 Bermuda Road in Stone Mountain.

How: Admission is $6. Skate rental is $3 (or you can bring your own) Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase, and we'll be raffling off some great prizes! There is a beginner area for those who need a warm up, and for those who aren't ready for a roller disco flashback...there are video games to play!

Who: All Proud East Siders and Pride Sk8ters, their families, and friends. All are welcome...pro-skaters, beginners, and non-skaters!

East Side Pride Hit THE SPOT!

 Door Divas - Lizz and Aaron!

Last night, East Side Pride hit The Spot in Tucker!   Jack and Missy from Spotlight Entertainment and Sharmin and gang from The Spot were great hosts.  East Siders had a great time (Al Gal's crew kept us all in stitches all night long!), and we raised a significant chunk of change for our participation in Atlanta Pride in October.  For those who missed last night's good time, Spotlight Entertainment hosts LBGT-friendly karaoke every Saturday night at The Spot, and every Thursday night at Stars & Strikes.  Just a few more events that are making the East Side the place to be! 

East Side Pride Hits The Spot!

East Side Pride is hitting The Spot! On Saturday, August 20th, from 9pm 'til 1am, the fabulous folks at Spotlight Entertainment will be hosting East Side Pride night at The Spot Bar & Grill in Tucker!

Spotlight Entertainment knows how to have a good time - with karaoke and a keg! $10 gets you a cup, and a cup gets you an evening of beer from the keg! Proceeds will go towards East Side Pride's float in the Atlanta Pride Parade. The Spot Bar & Grill has a full menu available, a full bar, pool tables, an outdoor patio, and great energy! 

When: Saturday, August 20th, from 9pm 'til 1am!

Where: The Spot Bar & Grill at 4578 Britt Road in Tucker.

How: $10 get you a cup.  A cup gets you an evening of beer from the keg.  There is no cover charge. 

Who: All Proud East Siders, their families, and friends.

So, come out. Have a great time. Meet some new friends. Support your community. And get your karaoke on! 

East Side Pride Teaming Up For AIDS Walk Atlanta!

On Sunday, October 16th, 2011, East Side Pride will join thousands of other metro Atlantans for AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run 2011.  This massive fundraising event will benefit AID Atlanta and nine other participating agencies who provide treatments, clinical research, prevention education, medications, meals, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, and a host of other services to thousands of people affected by HIV / AIDS. 

East Side Pride is looking for YOU to join our team and help us reach our fundraising goal for this event.  For more information, or to join the East Side Pride AIDS Walk Team, just click here!  

East Side Pride Roller Disco - Awesomely Fun!

Last night, East Side Pride and Pride Sk8 America joined forces to host Roller Disco Night at All-American Recreation Center in Stone Mountain.  The event was an huge success!  The turnout was big, the crowd was awesome, the music was fun...just a great time!  Congratulations to all of our raffle winners, and THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered, helped out, donated and participated.   We'll see YOU next time!  

In the meantime, check out the photos...just click on "Ready For Our Close-Ups" under the links on the right ------>

East Side Pride Roller Disco!

For some of us, it'll be a flashback. For others a retro dream! Join East Side Pride and Pride Sk8 Atlanta, as we combine forces and hit the roller rink for an evening of disco balls, pop tunes, old school jams, and general roller skating magic at All American Skating Center in Stone Mountain.

When: Thursday, July 21st, from 6pm 'til 9pm.

Where: All American Recreation Center at 5400 Bermuda Road in Stone Mountain.

How: Admission is $7. Skate rental is included (or you can bring your own) Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase, and we'll be raffling off some great prizes! There is a beginner area for those who need a warm up, and for those who aren't ready for a roller disco flashback...the Rainforest Miniature Golf will also be open!!

Who: All Proud East Siders and Pride Sk8ters, their families, and friends. All are welcome...pro-skaters, beginners, and non-skaters!

We're Loud. We're Proud. And, We're Just East Of The Perimeter!

Our 2nd annual East Side Pride Picnic was an awesome success!  Over 200 East Siders and friends came out to celebrate the LGBT Pride and the beautiful diversity of our East Side communities.  This has been a great first year for our group, and we're looking forward to an even better second year - with more events, more fun, more friends, and more community-building.  Stay tuned...the East Side's got a lot going on!

A very, very heartfelt THANK YOU to DJ Duck for keeping the positive vibes flowing all day long, and the Trilogy Bookstore gang for providing readings, massages, henna, and all sorts of LGBT supplies and rainbow necessities.  THANK YOU to Maud Baker Flowers for a beautifully arranged donation.  Also to the folks from AID Gwinnett and Molly Simmons from Human Rights Campaign for educating and collaborating, and to Tony Nastri from Keller Williams Realty for being our official greeter and donating a Savage Pizza gift certificate for a door prize.  And, THANK YOU to everyone who came out, pitched in, potlucked, cleaned up, and got down.  You're all AWESOME!

And, a BIG THANK YOU to the City of Clarkston for hosting.  We'll see you next year! 

And, of course, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Hailey and Meredith!  Thanks for celebrating with us.   We hope you both had a fantastic day!

*  For photos of the event, just click here, or check out "Ready For Our Close-Ups" on the right side of this page. 

 

East Side Pride's 2nd Annual Pride Picnic is June 25th!

Pride - (noun); 1. a feeling of honor and self-respect; a sense of personal worth. 2. satisfaction or pleasure in one's own, or another's, success and achievements.

You and yours are most warmly invited to join your family, friends, neighbors, and community, for East Side Pride's 2nd Annual PRIDE PICNIC! We'll be celebrating our vibrant, unique, and fabulously diverse East Side LGBT community on Saturday, June 25th, from 3-8pm, at Milam Park in Clarkston. 

The incredible DJ Duck will keep the dancefloor jumping, and there will be a family-friendly play zone for kids, LGBT-friendly vendors and organizations, and refreshments. It's a pot luck style picnic, so please bring a favorite dish to share or something to grill if you can.

If you are interested in reserving a vendor table, or becoming a sponsor, please e-mail EastSidePride@rocketmail.com, or stop in at Trilogy Bookstore in Avondale Estates, and speak with Sean!

We're LOUD. We're PROUD. And we're just EAST OF THE PERIMETER!

East Side Pride!

East Side Pride's Community Heroes!

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all who came out and participated in East Side Pride's first Harvey Milk Community Service Day!  The event was a great success, and our friends are Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends (AARF) really appreciated the awesome job and hard work that y'all did.  You all are, truly, community heroes!

And congratulations to Andrew who won a Gay & Lesbian History of Atlanta book, donated by Trilogy Bookstore in Avondale Estates, and to Colleen, who won a $20 gift certificate for Savage Pizza in Avondale Estates, donated by Tony Nastri of Keller Williams Realty.  

And, finally, THANK YOU to Brooke and Susan from AARF, who kept us cool with refreshments and gave us all an opportunity to give back to the East Side.   

East Side Pride's Harvey Milk Service Day at AARF

In honor of Harvey Milk Day, and Harvey Milk's life and vision of community service, East Side Pride has organized Harvey Milk Service Day at Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends in Stone Mountain.

AARF started in 2002 as a pet rescue and adoption network with just a few foster homes for abandoned, abused, and homeless pets. AARF has grown over the years, and just recently acquired a permanent home in Stone Mountain Village. The soon-to-be-open 4,000 square foot facility will house homeless pets waiting for adoption, a pet supply retail store, a grooming center, dog-wash tubs, dog training classes, and various other pet resources.

East Side Pride will be joining the folks at AARF, on Sunday, May 22nd, from 10am 'til about 3pm, to help them put the finishing touches on the facility! There will be lots to do, with jobs available for all skill levels...light carpentry, cleaning, organizing, etc.

Everyone is invited to come volunteer. There will be refreshments, and a door prize drawing.

So, come on out! Invest in your community. Meet some new people. Celebrate Harvey Milk Day. Help out homeless pets. Make new friends. And HAVE FUN!

East Side Pride - An Evening at the Theat-ah!

Join your friends at East Side Pride for an enchanting evening of theater and art at  ART Station in beautiful Stone Mountain Village, Thursday evening, May 5th.

The production, "Bonnie and Clyde, the Two Person, Six Gun Musical," tells the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Champion Barrow, the infamous duo who led a nationwide crime spree from 1932 to 1934. The show chronicles the true events of the lives and loves of one of history’s most notorious couples with colorful characters, haunting melodies, and a bold theatricality that will provide a wonderful theater experience.

ART Station also houses a fantastic art collection and the galleries will be open for viewing.

If you haven't been to ART Station, East Side Pride Night at the Theat-ah will be a great opportunity to check out one of the East Side's best attractions.  ART Station is located at 5384 Manor Drive, Stone Mountain, GA  30083. 

Space is limited, so get your tickets early!  You can purchase tickets at ART Station's box office, or online just by clicking here.   

And, for anyone who wants to get a bite to eat before the show, we'll be meeting at 6pm at The Rock House...5329 Mimosa Drive in Stone Mountain Village...just a short walk from ART Station.

East Side Pride's Cosmic Carnival at Trilogy!

Come one! Come all! To the Cosmic Carnival!!

Join East Side Pride for an evening of 3-ring spiritual fun at Trilogy in Avondale Estates - Friday, April 15th!

The journey starts with "Galactic Gay Yoga" with Luna DeVine at 6pm. Then, discover the power of tarot with Nickie. Let it all go with Chelsea's chair massage. Jeff will be there to read your stars with an astrology reading. Spin the "fortune wheel" to win a fabulous prize!

Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be available. Beer and wine too!

At 9pm, we'll have a group screening of "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert".

So, come out, have a great time, meet some new people, and support your East Side community!

You can purchase your $20 ticket in advance at Trilogy...or you can donate $25 at the door - then go enjoy the 3-ring circus of fun and good vibes. Proceeds will benefit East Side Pride!

Clarkston: One of Metro Atlanta's Coolest Neighborhoods

Those of us who live and work here already knew how unique and cool our East Side neighborhoods are - and now, so does the rest of Metro Atlanta.  In Creative Loafing's "Ultimate Neighborhood Guide," Clarkston ranked very high in several categories, when compared with Metro Atlanta's most prominent neighborhoods - and Clarkston won the special honor of "Best Neighborhood for Affordability."   According to Creative Loafing:  

"On the surface, quaint and rural Clarkston feels more like Main Street USA than suburban Atlanta.  But over the past few years, the east DeKalb enclave has become something of a post-hipster nesting place - or, as one resident described it, "a punk rock retirement village."  

The neighborhood guide also looked at Clarkston's incredible ethnic diversity (with residents from all over the world, Clarkston is one of the most diverse communities in the nation), low crime rates (less than half the rate of many in-town neighborhoods), and ridiculously affordable housing options.  

So, congratulations to Clarkston for being such a cool place to live, and thanks to Creative Loafing for noticing!  

East Side Pride Roller Disco Retro Recap

East Side Pride hit the roller disco tonight and a good time was had by all - and no serious casualties!  We even had the pleasure of being joined by the Atlanta Rollergirls out on the rink!  Thanks to ALL who came out, and stay tuned for our next East Side event!  In the meantime, check out the photos from tonight's event...just click on "Ready For Our Close-Ups" under the links on the right ------>

East Side Pride Roller Disco!

 

For some of us, it'll be a flashback. For others a retro dream! Join East Side Pride as we hit the roller rink for an evening of disco balls, pop tunes, old school jams, and general roller skating magic at All American in Stone Mountain.

When: Wednesday, March 23rd, from 6pm 'til 9pm

Where: All American Recreation Center at 5400 Bermuda Road in Stone Mountain.

How: Admission is $6, and skate rental is $2 (or you can bring your own) Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase. There is a beginner area for those who need a warm up.

Who: All Proud East Siders, their families, and friends. All are welcome...pro-skaters, beginners, and non-skaters!

Iowa Grandmother Stands Up For Marriage Equality

East Side Pride Valentine's Brunch at The Rock House!

Romance is in the air and East Side Pride is celebrating with a pre-Valentine's Day Sunday brunch at the new and lovely Rock House restaurant in beautiful historic Stone Mountain Village.

When: Sunday, February 13th, from about noon 'til 2:30-ish.

Where: The Rock House at 5329 Mimosa Drive in Stone Mountain Village.

How: We'll meet at the restaurant, and everyone will be responsible for their own check.

Who: All Proud East Siders, their families, and friends. All are welcome...singles, couples, and "others".

So, come out. Get to know your neighbors. Discover a new restaurant. Support a local business. And have a great time!

First Annual East Side Pride Chaka-Khan-Ukkah Festival!

Our first annual Chaka-Khan-Ukkah Festival was another fun East Side evening!  The Clarkston Woman's Club was a beautiful event space (despite some heating difficulties), and we had a good turnout to celebrate the end of the holiday season.  We had the pleasure of being visited by some of our local East Side political leaders - Georgia State Representative Karla Drenner and Clarkston's new mayor, Emanuel Ransom, as well as Clarkston council members Jean Shepherd Brown.  And, our pay-to-play "white elephant" gift exchange raised $115 for Atlanta YouthPride!  

We will be getting together sometime in the next two weeks to plan out East Side Pride's calendar and goals for the rest of 2011.  If you would like to share your ideas, e-mail EastSidePride@yahoo.com, and we'll work out a time and place together.  

Come Celebrate Chaka-Khan-Ukkah!

Hello East Siders!

We hope everyone had a good Christmas, Hannukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Yule, New Year's, etc. 

Now it's time to top off the holiday season - East Side style!  This coming Saturday, January 8th, you and yours are cordially invited to our first CHAKA-KHAN-UKKAH celebration! 

Chaka-Khan-Ukkah is a celebration of the end of the holiday season, the beginning of a new year, and of course, the life and music of Chaka Khan.  This is a pot-luck event, so bring your favorite dish to share or refreshments. 

We'll also have a "white elephant" gift exchange, so please bring anything you can re-gift.  Anyone wishing to participate in the gift exchange contributes $5, and all proceeds will go to Atlanta's YouthPride.  

Chaka-Khan-Ukkah will go down at the Clarkston Woman's Center at 3912 Church Street in downtown Clarkston, this Saturday, January 8th, from 6:30 'til 9pm.   Come meet new friends, have a good time, and help us build an even more fantastic East Side community! 

For more information, just e-mail us at EastSidePride@yahoo.com

See you Saturday!!

Clarkston's Mayor Passes

Some very sad East Side news today...Clarkston's mayor, Howard "Trey" Tygrett, passed early this morning after suffering an apparent stroke while visiting family in Texas.  We, here at East Side Pride, send our most sincere sympathies to all friends, family and residents of Clarkston.  From the AJC:

The 40-year-old mayor of Clarkston, Howard "Trey" Tygrett, died early Saturday after suffering a stroke while visiting his wife's parents in Texas, city officials said. 

Tygrett, elected in a runoff last December, is survived by his wife and two children. In addition to serving as mayor, Tygrett was general manager of the REI store at the Mall of Georgia, said Vice Mayor Emanuel Ransom.

Ransom credited Tygrett with a number of improvements in the DeKalb County city of 7,500 people.

"He did something that hadn't been done in years, finally balanced the budget," Ransom told the AJC, adding that Tygrett also was instrumental in economic development, like bringing a Dollar General store to town.

"He was a great guy, a wonderful guy, and I really enjoyed working with him," Ransom said. "He was always willing to listen."

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Saturday night.

East Side Eats Out Again!

After a very fun event at Savage Pizza, we're at it again! This time we're headed to Brockett Pub House & Grill in Clarkston. The owners of Brockett Pub, Christina and John, have supported East Side Pride (and several other LGBT groups) and now it's our turn to support them! When: Wednesday, December 8th, at 6:30pm. Where: Brockett Pub House & Grill at 4522 E Ponce de Leon Avenue in Clarkston. How: We'll meet at the restaurant, and everyone will be responsible for their own check. Who: All Proud East Siders, their families, and friends. So, come out. Get to know your neighbors. Discover a new restaurant. Support local business. And have a great time.

Don't Forget to Vote in Tomorrow's Run-Off Elections!

Run-off elections normally have extremely low turn-outs, which means your vote counts even more!  Here are Georgia Equality's endorsements:

Tammy Lynn Adkins, Georgia Supreme Court
Chris McFadden, Georgia Court of Appeals
Shelitha Robertson, Fulton Superior Court
Courtney Johnson, DeKalb Superior Court
Jared Bailey, Athens-Clarke Commission
Gwen O’Looney, Athens mayor

All We Want For Christmas Are Equal Rights!

The Queer Justice League will be staging a rally to promote LGBT visibility and equality in Georgia and across the nation. The rally will take place this Friday, November 26th, from 11am 'til 2pm (the busiest shopping day of the year) at the corner of Peachtree Street and Lenox Road, near the entrances to Lenox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead. From the QJL website:

"We plan the protest to be a peaceful demonstration of unity and solidarity against the inequality present in the in the U.S. and Georgia. Attendees should bring signs with slogans recognizing the positive impact of the GLBT community. We also ask that participants bring symbols of traditional holiday celebrations (Santa hats, sleigh bells, and so forth)."

All East Siders are welcome and encouraged to participate. If you plan on making your voice heard, please RSVP on the QJL Facebook page, or just show up!

****  UPDATE ****  Due to inclement weather, this rally has been postponed.  Please keep checking the QJL website and/or Facebook page for the rescheduled date and time. 

A Powerful Anti-Bullying Message From The NOH8 Campaign

Thank You All For A Fantastic Evening At Savage Pizza!

Our first "East Side Eats Out" event was fantastic!  A lot of warm, friendly, quality people showed up, new friends were made, an East Side business was supported, and we already can't wait for next month!  Stay tuned for details, and click here for photos from tonight's get together. 

East Side Pride Eats Out!

Mark your calendar, and join East Side Pride's first monthly dining out event at Savage Pizza in Avondale Estates!

When: Wednesday, November 10th, at 6:30pm.

Where: Savage Pizza at 115 Laredo Drive in Avondale Estates.

How: We'll meet at the restaurant, and everyone will be responsible for their own check.

Who: All Proud East Siders, their families, and friends.

So, come out. Get to know your neighbors. Discover a new restaurant. Support local business. And have a great time.

Each month, we'll choose a different East Side restaurant for the meet up, so leave a comment with your favorite East Side hot spots! 

* Savage Pizza in Avondale Estates is an iDine participating restaurant, so if you haven't registered (for free) with iDine yet, go to www.iDine.com and sign up for cash-back benefits!

Welcome to East Side Pride!

Our mission is to build a strong Metro Atlanta East Side LGBT community and network of advocates, supporting each other in the walk through life and the fight for social justice. 

Many of us live and work in the wonderfully unique and dynamic East Side communities of Clarkston, Dunaire, Pine Lake, Smoke Rise, Snellville, Stone Mountain, and Tucker.  We have scheduled get-togethers, group activities,  and networking opportunities throughout the year, and each June we plan and host an LGBT Pride event.   If you'd like to see photos from last years, East Side Pride Picnic, click here.

If you would like to volunteer, donate, or would just like some information on upcoming events, you can e-mail us at EastSidePride@rocketmail.com.