On behalf of the LGBTQIA Resource Center, we welcome you to Georgia Tech. Whether you’ve lived in Atlanta your entire life or are just coming to the city, we want you to feel like you have a community here. Georgia Tech and the area around the school offers a host of engagement opportunities and resources targeted to the needs of graduate students, faculty, and staff. Off campus, you will find a vibrant social scene filled with events and opportunities for volunteering, socializing, and professional development. On campus, you will discover resources and student groups for connecting with like-minded peers. We hope that you will find this information useful and we look forward to getting to know you!
Graduate Student Resource Guide
Organizations and Events
On-Campus
Graduate Queer Coffeehouse
This is a program initiative in collaboration with Grad Pride that gives graduate students an opportunity to build community while enjoying coffee and treats! Get involved with Grad coffeehouse!
Grad Pride
Grad Pride is a student org run by LGBTQIA grads, post-docs, and allies at Georgia Tech. Check out the events page for upcoming activities or subscribe to the Grad Pride newsletter. You can also subscribe to their Discord.
LGBTQIA Resource Center Programs
There are a number of ways for LGBTQIA graduate students to get involved with programs and initiatives in the Center:
- Join the Graduate Student email list
- Attend Coffee hours that are specifically for graduate students!
- Participate in our Pride Peers Mentorship program
- Graduate students can sign up to be honored at our annual Lavender Graduation.
Newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter to be notified about future events and opportunities including facilitator recruitment. Note: The Center's newsletter is different from the Grad Pride one. Sign up for both so you don't miss out on events and updates.
Appointments
Graduate students can also make an appointment with resource center staff to discuss any concerns.
Atlanta-area
LGBTQIA Friendly Areas
The Midtown area is known for its lively nightlife and restaurant scene. The area around 10th Street and Piedmont is a well-known hotspot for the LGBTQIA community with many coffee shops, eateries, bars, and clubs. Piedmont Park is the go-to venue for festivals, picnics, and recreation, with a number of LGBTQIA friendly events happening throughout the year. Check out the other LGBTQIA friendly neighborhoods in the Atlanta area!
Charis Books and More
Charis Books and More is the South’s oldest independent feminist bookstore offering a great selection of fiction and non-fiction. Charis also hosts support groups, author readings, pop-up craft sales, writing groups, and yoga classes, all in an environment that is affirming and inclusive of LGBTQIA folks.
Pride Festivals
Atlanta Pride
Typically held during mid-October, the Atlanta Pride Festival celebrates diversity and community during this two-day LGBTQIA extravaganza. This celebration includes live entertainment, cultural exhibits, the famed Pride parade and the Pride Marketplace featuring more than 200 vendor booths as well as a plethora of restaurant and bar promotions.
Black Gay Pride
Hosted by In The Life Atlanta, Black Pride is a pride festival specifically for black LGBTQIA folks. This celebration features performances, events, and community gatherings hosted during Labor Day Weekend. This year Atlanta will host the 2024 Global Black Pride that will coincide with Atlanta Black Pride.
Southern Fried Queer Pride
Those seeking a more grassroots festival experience will enjoy Southern Fried Queer Pride (SFQP), Atlanta’s alternative pride event and collective celebrating queer and trans community in the South. Workshops, performances, and club nights take place in early summer.
Other Resources
Fitness & Outdoors
Check out some of Atlanta’s LGBTQIA-friendly sports teams and leagues including the Rainbow Trout aquatics club, the Atlanta Team Tennis Association, Stonewall Kickball ATL, Atlanta Bucks rugby team, and the Atlanta Trans Liberation Basketball League. Take a look at other sports leagues in the Atlanta area.
Music
Music lovers can audition for or enjoy concerts by the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, Atlanta Women’s Chorus, or the Atlanta Freedom Bands.
Queer Faith Communities
People of faith seeking an affirming place of worship or faith community can stop by the LGBTQIA Resource Center to chat with the staff about options in the Atlanta area.
Social Scenes
Social butterflies can stay up to date with all the upcoming LGBTQIA events in Atlanta by checking out the Georgia Voice newspaper and website or LGBTQIA events on Eventbrite.