Heart of North Georgia Pride
A Month of Advocacy, Visibility & Community
October brought major national court arguments, travel guidance updates for trans and nonbinary travelers, big news from Texas courts, and the joy of Atlanta Pride filling the streets again. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and how our North Georgia community can stay engaged.
🏛️ Key Developments
Supreme Court Questions Colorado’s Conversion-Therapy Ban
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether states can prohibit conversion therapy for minors. Several justices appeared skeptical of Colorado’s ban, signaling potential implications for similar bans across the country.
🔗 SCOTUSblog summary:
https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/10/majority-of-court-appears-skeptical-of-colorados-conversion-therapy-ban/
Passport Gender-Marker Case Moves Forward
Trans and nonbinary Americans urged the Court to keep “X” and self-identified gender markers available while litigation continues.
🔗 Case update:
https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/10/transgender-americans-ask-supreme-court-to-leave-order-in-place-allowing-them-to-choose-sex-markers-on-passports/
Meanwhile, Canada updated its travel advisory warning travelers with “X” gender markers they may face issues entering the U.S.
🔗 Reuters coverage:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-warns-travelers-with-x-gender-passports-they-may-not-be-allowed-into-us-2025-10-03/
🔗 Canada travel guidance:
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states
Texas Judges Can Now Refuse Marriages on Religious Grounds
Texas changed judicial conduct rules, allowing judges to decline to perform marriages based on religious beliefs — raising access concerns for same-sex couples needing courthouse ceremonies.
🔗 Coverage:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/san-antonio/news/2025/10/30/texas-judges-can-refuse-to-perform-same-sex-marriages
🎉 Atlanta Pride 2025
Tens of thousands joined Atlanta Pride across Piedmont Park and Midtown October 11–12 — a powerful reminder of queer joy and Southern resilience. 💖
🔗 Photo recap:
https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/10/13/55th-annual-atlanta-pride/
🔗 Weekend guide:
https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/10/08/atlanta-pride-guide/
Thank you to everyone who marched, volunteered, hydrated, danced, cheered, and made space!
✅ What You Can Do Now
- Updating a passport? Follow the Supreme Court filings and allow extra processing time
https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/10/transgender-americans-ask-supreme-court-to-leave-order-in-place-allowing-them-to-choose-sex-markers-on-passports/ - Support LGBTQ youth crisis services
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/transgender-people-ask-supreme-court-to-reject-trump-administration-effort-to-enforce-discriminatory-passport-policy - Stay connected & get involved locally
💬 Volunteer + Community Discord: https://discord.gg/WDFKvw4xTy
💖 Support Heart of North Georgia Pride
Your support keeps LGBTQIA+ programs, visibility, and community spaces going in our region.
👉 Donate here: https://givebutter.com/M6clY8
👉 Website: https://heartofnorthgapride.org
📸 Instagram/Facebook: @heartofnorthgapride
✊ Together We Rise
Thank you for showing up — in courtrooms, at Pride, online, and in community. Stay loud, stay joyful, stay united. North Georgia Pride is strong because of you.
📎 Press & Source Links
- SCOTUS: Colorado conversion therapy arguments
- SCOTUS: passport gender marker filings
- Canadian travel advisory
- Texas judicial change coverage
- Atlanta Pride media recap
(All linked above.)
📬 Want to get monthly updates by email?
Join our mailing list via our website or Discord!