Pride History
Central Alabama Pride, Inc. (CAP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to spreading the message of equality each year with the production of our LGBT Pride events which also brings together all Alabama citizens. We also support HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout the year such as Birmingham AIDS Outreach, AIDS Alabama, and Magic City Wellness Center and Acceptance Center.
CAP is directed by an unpaid, volunteer Board of Directors. Board Members take on the responsibility for directing and overseeing the production of PRIDE each year. Whether as a Committee Chair or as a committee member, they are assisted by numerous event volunteers who are a valued and crucial piece of PRIDE.
Our events draw an estimated 20,000+ attendees, and we’re showing continued growth with each passing year. PrideFest is a free, outdoor festival that brings together the LGBT community with food, music, and live entertainment for an all-day and evening event. This event is the highlight of a week-long series of events in June that includes the Pride Parade. It is by far the largest Pride event held in the state.
PrideFest and the Pride Parade bring together the LGBT community, and their family and friends in celebration. These events provide attendees a fun and safe environment where they can be expressive while enjoying the entertainment, and experiencing all there will be to do. The night culminates with a showing of appreciation for all the supporters, and the introduction of our entertainment headliner.
The 2020 Pride events calendar will be no exception and will reach more people than ever.
Birmingham's first organized Pride celebration was held June 24, 1979. This 'Day in the Park' has been held annually ever since under the leadership of several different organizations. 2003 marked our 25th anniversary.
Over the years, many other events were added to the 'Day in the Park' , some have endured, some have not.
In 1989, a parade was added to the annual festivites. In 2000, the parade was moved from a Sunday afternoon parade to Saturday night Mardi Gras style parade in the tradition of the world's largest LGBT Celebration, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and has grown in popularity ever since.
In 1991, the first Miss Gay Pride pageant was held with the legendary Zee Jones capturing the title. Over the years the titles of Mr, Miss, Ms, and Mister (formerly Ms-Her) have been added and these titleholders have represented the community well!
In 2000, the first attempt was made to expand Pride to a 10 day celebration covering two weekends with Pageants the first weekend, varied events throughout the week, and the 'Day in the Park' which was later changed to be called Pridefest.
In 2001 a town hall meeting was added and remained a fundamental part of pride activities for several years.
Pride in Birmingham has always been community driven. Without your financial support and input of ideas, the organizations that have produced Pride over the years could not have kept it going!
In recent years Pride has grown larger than ever before! Pridefest now spans over 10+ days of celebrations throughout the area. Central Alabama Pride was also able to form a coalition with other Pride organizations in Alabama including Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Troy, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile Pride.