Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate Is First to March in Atlanta Pride

Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams attended Atlanta Pride this weekend, becoming the first candidate for Georgia governor nominated by a major party to march in a celebration of LGBTQ rights.

"We're here because we stand together, because we know that allies do not run from fights. And because we know we all have pride in Georgia," she told the crowd, according to Politically Georgia. "We stand with you and not against you."

Abrams, who would be the first African-American woman elected governor in America, has been the Democratic frontrunner from the launch of her campaign, beating out Georgia House member Stacey Evans for the nomination.

The candidate marched in a group spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and former Congressional hopeful Jon Ossoff, where her campaign signs were hoisted beside rainbow flags.

This is the second time Abrams has attended Pride, marching at last year's event, as well.

While current Republican governor Nathan Deal -- termed-out next year -- vetoed antigay religious liberty bills, Abrams's GOP opponent, Georgia secretary of state Brian Kemp, said he'd sign similar legislation. Kemp expressed support for a "license to discriminate" act which would permit individuals and faith-based organizations to refuse service to LGBTQ people on the grounds of religious freedom.

Reports of Republican-led voter suppression have also roiled the gubernatorial race, with Kemp accused of working to depress African-American voters.

Kemp has also been accused of running negative ads against Abrams on gay dating apps like Grindr, attacking his opponent for her positions on sex offenders and sex trafficking. Ten years ago, Abrams had voted against a measure that prohibited sex offenders from living a certain distance from public libraries, which the ads transformed to a claim that she wanted sexual predators to take up quarters near schools and child care facilities. Abrams and independent fact-checkers both dubbed the attack as false.

Kemp's campaign did not respond to a request to comment on whether they had purchased Grindr advertisements from The Advocate.

The Log Cabin Republicans endorsed Kemp despite his anti-LGBTQ policies, a decision that drew major criticism.

Georgia's gubernatorial election will take place on November 6. Abrams and Kemp are currently tied in the polls.