Nearly 50 Jewish Orgs Join SOJOURN for Pride 2026

The Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN), the premiere resource for Jewish and LGBTQ+ programming, education, and advocacy in the Southern U.S., convened 48 Jewish organizations to celebrate Pride in Atlanta. Taking place in Midtown Oct. 9-11, Atlanta Pride provides an opportunity for people within the LGBTQ+ community to come together to protest discrimination and celebrate their shared identities. SOJOURN has been coordinating the Atlanta Jewish community’s participation since 2007.

SOJOURN was honored as an Atlanta Pride Grand Marshal in 2015. “Atlanta Pride is one of the highlights of our year because bringing people together in a celebratory manner is so nourishing. Visibility from a faith community makes all of the difference to the people on the sidelines as well as to the people who are participating,” said Rebecca Stapel-Wax, SOJOURN’s executive director.

SOJOURN kicked off Atlanta Pride weekend with an intimate interfaith Shabbat service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta. The evening began with a community dinner, followed by a Kabbalat Shabbat service anchored by Jewish tradition and featuring LGBTQ+ faith leaders from across the city, including Imam Kelly Wentworth (Atlanta Unity Mosque), Rebekka Goldsmith (Congregation Bet Haverim), Shannon Willow (North and South American indigenous traditions), Rabbi Malka Packer, the Rev. E.N. Hill (UUCA), Cantor Beth Schafer (Temple Sinai), Pastor Matt O’Rear (St. Luke Lutheran Church), and Dr. Sharon Jackson (certified sound healer).

Despite the Atlanta Pride Festival’s cancellation on Saturday, Oct. 10 due to weather, SOJOURN returned to host a booth at the Pride Festival at Piedmont Park on Oct. 11, informing festival attendees about the Atlanta Jewish community’s commitment to LGBTQ+ belonging. The weekend culminated with representatives from across Atlanta’s Jewish communities joining SOJOURN to march alongside their Dolly Parton-themed float in the Atlanta Pride Parade on Oct. 11.

The Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender & Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN) is the American South’s resource for Jewish and LGBTQ+ programming, education, support, and advocacy. SOJOURN’s mission is to empower communities to advance and celebrate gender and sexual diversity across the South. For more information, please visit www.sojourngsd.org.