Jessica Colley Clarke is a freelance writer and curious traveler based in New York City. Her stories have appeared in AFAR magazine, BBC Travel, The Daily Beast, and the New York Times, among other publications.
Jessica Colley Clarke is a freelance writer and curious traveler based in New York City. Her stories have appeared in AFAR magazine, BBC Travel, The Daily Beast, and the New York Times, among other publications.
Hi, I'm Jessica!Jessica Colley Clarke is a freelance writer and curious traveler based in New York City. Her stories have appeared in AFAR magazine, BBC Travel, The Daily Beast, and the New York Times, among other publications.
Hi, I'm Jessica!Jessica Colley Clarke is a freelance writer and curious traveler based in New York City. Her stories have appeared in AFAR magazine, BBC Travel, The Daily Beast, and the New York Times, among other publications.
S Sargon gives voice to underrepresented historic figures in Savannah during their popular city walking tour. They launched the Rising Voices: Underrepresented History tour in 2019. “My mission with this tour is 2-fold: to share the history of Black, Native, queer, and or/female Savannahians and to show how these figures, many barely mentioned in general history tours, had a massive impact on the city and its history,” S Sargon says.
During the 2-hour tour that includes Juliette Gordon Low’s (founder of the Girl Scouts) birthplace and city historic landmarks from Franklin Square and City Market to Madison Square, S Sargon shares unsung stories from Savannah’s LGBTQ+ history, including the story of Jim Williams, a prominent Savannah gay man who began the city’s restoration movement and gained notoriety from the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Here’s their guide to Savannah Pride, as well as top picks for where to stay, drink, and learn in Savannah, Georgia.
“An attitude of acceptance is something that has been built into Savannah for many years,” says S Sargon on the city’s welcoming attitude to LGBTQ+ travelers. “On top of that, Savannah is only the city it is today thanks to our LGBTQIA+ community.”
Savannah’s LGBTQ+ neighborhoods
Savannah is a fairly compact city, especially the historic district, with pockets of LGBTQ+ history and culture spread throughout. S. Sargon recommends historic district bed and breakfasts or vacation rentals as the best places to stay for visitors seeking a friendly, walkable location. “Starland District is also a delightful up-and-coming artsy area of town, more off-the-beaten touristy path, but still very close to everything,” they say. “There is also a queer-only campground about an hour away from Savannah called The Hideaway.”
Where to learn about Savannah’s LGBTQ+ history
For an immersion into Savannah’s LGBTQ+ history and contemporary spirit, visit the First City Pride Center at 1515 Bull Street. “It’s the ideal location to find out about upcoming LGBTQIA+ events,” says S Sargon. “First City Network also has access to their newsletter, Network News, dating back to 1986, which provides a great insight into our history and community development. It’s also available via their website.”
The best places to get a drink and meet others
According to S Sargon, begin with a visit to the institution Club One, which is famous, “for their drag shows and as the home of Lady Chablis,” who also gained notoriety from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Other LGBTQ+-friendly bars S Sargon calls out include Artillery Bar, Abe’s on Lincoln, Alley Cat Lounge, and Two Tides Brewing.
Must-visit LGBTQ+-owned institutions
Check out the up-to-date calendar of events on the First City Pride Center website to get all the latest events in Savannah. Some of S Sargon’s favorites include a social called Cheers Queers! Held on the last Thursday of every month at Starland Yard and a biweekly open mic night at the Sentient Bean coffee shop on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Other local favorites include Perc and Blends for coffee, Chocolat by Adam Turoni for chocolates, B. Matthew’s for a cozy bistro in the Historic District, and Riverside Tattoo Parlor, Savannah’s first queer-owned tattoo shop.
A brief history of Savannah Pride
“We have a well-established queer community in Savannah,” says S Sargon. “By 1969, The Basement had opened as Savannah’s first gay club, and held the annual Sara Awards, which were given out for contributions to the queer community. In the 70s, multiple gay discos opened. Then First Network was founded in 1985 as Georgia’s first and oldest LGBTQIA+ organization.”
But travelers looking to join the Pride festivities should plan a visit in the fall, not June, as in other cities. “Savannah, like many places in the south, holds our Pride celebrations in the fall due to June heat,” S Sargon says. Festivities—which tend to be held in October— typically include a festival, parade, masquerade, drag, and live music. Smaller events are often planned for June, though, including the annual Stonewall Block Party, which featured booths for advocacy organizations, HIV testing, food, drink, and music.
The importance of Pride
“Pride is not just about celebrating who we are in a world that often wants us to be something different,” says S Sargon. “For me, it is also about visibility. It is a way to show our communities that we exist and that they already know us—we’re their neighbors, shopkeepers, clients, friends, and family.”
