TS Madison to be Honored with the Humanitarian Award during Atlanta Black Pride Weekend 2025

Atlanta Black Pride Weekend 2025 will culminate with a celebration of unity, culture, and community as the 13th annual Pure Heat Community Festival returns to Piedmont Park on Sunday, August 31.

Known as a free “day of unity,” the festival will feature live performances, market and food vendors, entertainment, educational forums, giveaways, and more, all designed to uplift the spirit of pride and vision in Atlanta’s LGBTQIA+ community.

This year, trailblazing media personality, entrepreneur, and activist TS Madison will be honored with the festival’s annual Humanitarian Award. The recognition comes on the heels of her groundbreaking work with the TS Madison Starter House, a reentry program specifically designed to support formerly incarcerated transgender women.

Back in March, on the 16th annual Trans Day of Visibility, Gaye Magazine exclusively reported the grand opening of the TS Madison Starter House, a Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) reentry home.

The Atlanta-based mansion will provide housing for up to five transgender women returning to the community after incarceration, offering them the resources and support needed to thrive. TS Madison’s initiative has been widely celebrated as a historic step forward for equity, dignity, and community care.

Joining Madison in the spotlight, celebrity wardrobe stylist Ryan Christopher will be presented with the annual Trailblazer Award for his impact on fashion and representation.

In addition, festivalgoers can look forward to a high-energy performance from previous honoree Saucy Santana, who will hit the stage with a medley of fan favorites and new music.

The Pure Heat Community Festival is not only a cultural hub for entertainment and celebration—it is also a front-row seat into one of the nation’s largest gatherings of minority LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. As part of Atlanta Black Pride Weekend (ABPW), the festival continues to highlight the resilience and joy of the community while also raising awareness around critical social issues.

Atlanta Black Pride Weekend 2025, set for Thursday, August 28 – Monday, September 1, is recognized as the nation’s leading annual LGBTQ+ pride celebration. Produced by the Vision Community Foundation, Traxx Girls Inc., and Rockstars Production, the weekend will feature a wide range of events across the city. A portion of proceeds will benefit homeless LGBTQIA+ youth and those impacted by HIV/AIDS through The Vision Community Foundation.

For more details about the Pure Heat Community Festival, visit pureheatcommunityfestival.com. To explore the full schedule of Atlanta Black Pride Weekend events, including tickets and registration, visit atlantaprideweekend.com and atlantablackprideldr.com.