Sweet Pride Alabama: Celebrating LGBTQ+ lives in the Deep South
For two weeks each year, Birmingham, Alabama's streets fill with rainbow hues. In place of the usual traffic, crowds of people in vivid colors flood Seventh Avenue to the edges of the sidewalks. They inch as close as possible to floats and cars in the annual Pride parade — a Mardi Gras-style celebration complete with costumes, flags, and balloons.
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Birmingham's first organized Pride event, Central Alabama Pride, has continued to show up for queer communities for nearly 50 years, bringing light into an otherwise dark place. In recognition of its significance, the organization has been awarded The Advocate's Communities of Pride Award, which honors a group that upholds the spirit of Pride by fostering connections between LGBTQ+ people from all walks of life.
'I'm beyond honored to receive The Advocate's Communities of Pride Award. In a time when LGBTQ+ people – especially in the South – are under attack, this recognition means everything to us,' says Central Alabama Pride President Josh Coleman. 'It says our work matters, our communities matter, and we're not going anywhere.'
'Getting to share this moment on The Kelly Clarkson Show was so surreal, but it also shows just how far we've come. Pride in Central Alabama isn't just a celebration, it really is a fight to be seen, to be safe, and to belong,' Coleman adds. 'For every young person in Alabama who feels like there's no place for them, I hope this moment reminds them that there is and that we're fighting every day to make it safer, louder, and prouder.'
Central Alabama Pride began as a 'Day in the Park' get-together on June 24, 1979. Now in its 47th year, Pride in the city has evolved into a 15-day series of events attended by more than 20,000 people each June.
While Pride events are often associated with large, liberal cities, Alabama has an estimated 173,000 LGBTQ+ adults, making up 4.6 percent of the population. This may be one of the smallest queer populations in the U.S., but the sea of people in Birmingham each year can't be written off as insignificant.
'Celebrating Pride in the Deep South is an act of courage, resistance, and love,' Coleman says. 'It's not just about rainbow flags and parades. It's about affirming our right to exist, thrive, and be visible in spaces that haven't always welcomed us. In states like Alabama, where LGBTQ+ rights are often under attack, Pride is a declaration that we're not going anywhere.'
Alabama, which has seen seven anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced so far in 2025, has one of the worst track records for queer rights. The state incorrectly defines sex as exclusively male or female, and it prohibits transgender people from using public facilities that align with their identities. The Republican legislature has banned lifesaving gender-affirming care for youth, though it permits the discredited and harmful practice of so-called conversion therapy.
The state also has a "don't say gay" law restricting the discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms. It has barred trans students from participating in sports or using school facilities that most align with their gender identity, and it requires staff to out queer students to their parents or guardians.
The weight of these laws doesn't reflect on the faces of the people who flock to Birmingham. The crowds cheer and applaud as floats with drag queens, advocacy groups, and local businesses roll by in an unabashed celebration of queer lives. For Coleman, Pride is 'a moment for our community to come together, celebrate our progress, and demand better.'
'We build and protect rural LGBTQ+ communities by showing up – consistently and intentionally. It starts with listening to local voices, providing resources, and making sure no one feels isolated,' Coleman says. 'Visibility is critical: When people in small towns see representation – whether it's a Pride event, a drag show, or a youth group – they start to feel less alone.'
'We also have to fight for policies that protect LGBTQ+ people everywhere, not just in big cities,' he continues. 'At Central Alabama Pride, we're committed to reaching beyond Birmingham and supporting our rural neighbors through partnerships, education, and advocacy. Because every LGBTQ+ person, no matter their zip code, deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported.'
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