The small town of Rome in Georgia, known for its conservative leaning, was awash with color and celebration as it hosted its 3rd annual Pride festival and parade on the last weekend of June. The event, which drew an impressive crowd of over 4,000 attendees, signified a notable shift in a community that lies within a county where President Donald Trump secured a hefty 70% of the vote back in 2020. The festival was not just a display of LGBTQ pride but also an emblem of changing attitudes in the historically Republican stronghold.
Lynn Green, the president of PFLAG Rome, told WABE, that the town's Pride has a "small-town-feel" that attracts many participants. The decision to found the PFLAG Rome chapter came after Green's own son transitioned, marking a new chapter for LGBTQ representation in the area. With more than 35,000 residents, Rome sits in the Northwest of Georgia, in Floyd County, and is part of the congressional district represented by Marjorie Taylor Greene — a congresswoman known for her opposition to transgender rights.
Despite the county's conservative background, event attendees like Lindsey Newman emphasized that "there’s room for everybody here." Newman shared with WABE that this year's Pride was characterized by a friendly and positive atmosphere, without any counter-protests or negativity. This contrasted with last year's presence of protests, suggesting that this year, the town's acceptance levels may be rising.
A testament to the growth of the festival was the increase in the number of vendors, which jumped from about 40 last year to over 100 this time, prompting a move to Rich Ferry Park to accommodate the swelling participation. Wren Webber, a 19-year-old transgender man raised in Rome, acknowledged the divided nature of his hometown but also noted to WABE, that he was "definitely really lucky to just have to be able to grow up and not feel like I was in immediate danger of who I was." This supportive environment is crucial, as the Human Rights Campaign highlights the positive impact affirming family attitudes have on reducing suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth who feel accepted versus their unsupported peers.
Funding also played a role in expanding Rome's Pride event. The festival was bolstered by a $5,000 grant from "Pride Across the Peach State," which invests in fostering community and promoting LGBTQ inclusion throughout Georgia. Rome's festivities offered a stark contrast to the experiences of residents like Lucy Long-Patterson, who described her Canton hometown as repressive. Speaking to WABE, Long-Patterson shared that being at Rome Pride reassured her younger self that "she didn’t fail anything." Through rain showers that could have dampened spirits, attendees and locals instead held onto good vibes and embraced each other with smiles, hugs, and festive greetings.
Long-time Rome resident Brooke Callaway believes that events like Pride are a chance for the town to "expand a little bit more," as she remarked to WABE. Callaway, who also operates a small business in Rome, feels that while the town has conservative roots, people are open to learning and adapting. Her insights on change resonated with the broader theme of the festival — an embracing evolution that seems to be taking root in Rome, Georgia.
