LGBT elected officials, gay-friendly politicians including Mayor Kasim Reed and even a few candidates stumped for support during the Atlanta Pride parade on Sunday.
It's a rite of passage for progressive politicians in metro Atlanta and, with a presidential race looming in 2016, they were joined by supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders who waved signs, blew whistles and marched to support their favorite.
U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a staunch LGBT equality advocate, took part again, swapping his traditional Pride parade shuffle for a ride in ragtop Jeep. Reed also made a return to the parade, joining a contingent of city employees, police officers and firefighters. He was joined for the first time by his wife, Sarah-Elizabeth Reed.
At least one mayoral candidate took part as well. Cathy Woolard (top photo), a former City Council president and longtime LGBT activist, rode a bike along the route. Former City Council President Lisa Borders also joined the parade. Other candidates for office included gay state House hopefuls Josh Noblitt, Rafer Johnson and Bob Gibeling, and Fulton Sheriff candidates Richard Lankford and Charles Rambo.
State Sen. Vincent Fort walked the route and several Atlanta City Council members also took part, including Alex Wan, who is gay, Andre Dickens, Carla Smith, Mary Norwood and Ceasar Mitchell.
