The Atlanta Pride Committee today announced that Andy Bell, one half of the duo from Erasure, will perform at this year's Atlanta Pride festival on Oct. 13.

Bell's appearance will be sponsored by local gay nightlife/entertainment magazine David and Project Q Atlanta.

“We were thrilled when the guys from David and Project Q approached us about sponsoring Andy Bell to perform at the festival this year! It is because of relationships like this and commitments to the event that help us keep the festival free to anyone who would like to attend,” said Atlanta Pride Committee Board Chair Glen Paul Freedman.

Bell is openly gay and announced in 2004 that he was HIV-positive. His long-time partner, author Paul Hickey, died earlier this year.

Erasure, Bell's musical project with Vince Clarke, is an English-pop band that rose to prominence in the ‘80s.

"Andy Bell holds a unique place in the music world and in gay culture, not only for his talent but for being an out and proud entertainer," said Mike Fleming, co-owner of Project Q Atlanta. “His high-energy songbook stretches across gay generations. When he headlines Pride on Saturday, he'll bring back memories for longtime Erasure fans but he'll also gain new fans with those classic gay anthems for the next generation. We're pumped to co-sponsor his appearance.

Atlanta Pride will be held Oct. 13-14 at Piedmont Park in Midtown. The festival, one of the largest such Pride fests in the country, brings thousands to Atlanta every year.

Top photo: Andy Bell of Erasure (publicity photo)