Activists say Augusta as a whole has come far since the first Augusta Pride festival in 2010, despite recent events and low institutional support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents. Augusta Pride has “a very good relationship with the city,” event president Takya Browning said. The pre-festival dinner Thursday went from zero to a record six top government officials this year, Browning said, and she’s met with Mayor Hardie Davis, who recently proclaimed “Augusta Pride Day” in Augusta. read more