Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project
Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project
co-founder, curator, & creative director
Summer 2021 - now
The Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project is a multimedia initiative to gather, share, and preserve the history and life stories of LGBTQ+ communities in Georgia and across the Southeast. Through oral history, photography, and archival materials, we bring the voices and stories of LGBTQ+ Atlantans to life.
Explore the project through museum exhibitions, the Out Down South podcast, live and virtual panel series, and online materials. All project materials are archived at Georgia State University Library’s Special Collection.
Learn more by visiting: atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.org
Out down south exhibition
voices & portraits of LGBTQ+ Atlanta
outdoor Exhibition | Oct 2022 - oct 2023
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
role: curator, art director & designer
The LGBTQ+ community has made incredible strides in recent decades. Thanks to courageous work by activists from all walks of life, queer and trans people of all identities have been welcomed into the fold of America’s celebrated diversity. This history of the LGBTQ+ movement was been made all over the country, including here in the South, where legendary stories of trailblazing activists mingle with those of the leaders fighting for equality today.
Out Down South: Voices & Portraits of LGBTQ+ Atlanta presents stories of change-making LGBTQ+ Atlantans.
From politicians to performers, spiritual leaders to business owners, these luminaries have helped make Atlanta a city where LGBTQ+ people are welcome and loved. The exhibit features photographs and recorded stories of change-making LGBTQ+ Atlantans, told in their own words. We invite you to learn about Atlanta’s LGBTQ History, through their stories.
Created in partnership with:
the LGBTQ Institute, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, wussy mag, & The Georgia State University Library
Photography by Jody Fausett, Robin Rayne, Larue Calliet, Kenedee Hodges, Jarrett Heatherly, Marilyn Ocasio Nieves, Just Toby, Alex Pirtle, Karen Shacham, Aurie Singletary, & Jamie Hopper
co-curator: Rachel Garbus
out down south podcast
co-host & co-producer
LGBTQ+ history isn’t just made in New York and San Francisco, it has happened and is happening in big cities and small towns around the world. We have our own unique stories of resilience here in the South.
This season will be focusing on Atlanta, the hometown of the project and what has long been known as the LGBTQ+ mecca of the south.
In each episode of Out Down South, we dive into the oral history/story of a different southern LGBTQ+ history-maker.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Audacity
Produced by Jon Dean, Rachel Garbus, and Sam Landis. Out Down South is brought to you by the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project and is part of the WUSSY Podcast Network. Hosted by Rachel Garbus & Sam Landis.