The Project
Realizing our history.
Sharing our stories.
LGBTQ+ history didn’t just happen in San Francisco and New York, here in the South we have our own groundbreaking figures and stories of resilience. It is because of these LGBTQ+ figures, we are able to continue to advocate and seek liberation for all community members. Their lives inform our liberties and pursuits today. Our desire and hope is to bring greater awareness to their stories and the rich LGBTQ+ history of our Atlanta community.
The Project Includes:
+ In-person & online exhibitions honoring LGBTQ+ luminaries who have changed the landscape of Atlanta’s queer community, through life stories told in their own voices and portraits made by local LGBTQ+ photographers
+ Oral history interviews with each exhibition subject, to be preserved and archived with Georgia State University’s LGBTQ+ History Archives
+ A podcast created from the recorded oral histories
As a celebration of Atlanta’s prodigious LGBTQ+ talent, this project is a proud collaboration between local LGBTQ+ photographers, designers, writers, and audio editors.
Our project is honored to include:
Charlie Brown
Atlanta Drag Performer
Dee Dee Chamblee
Executive Director at LAGENDER INC
Grant Henry
Owner & Resident Artist at Sister Louisa's CHURCH
Jen Maguire
Co-owner, My Sister’s Room
Julie Rhoad
Former President & Director of The Names Project & AIDS Memorial Quilt
Sen. Kim Jackson
Georgia State Senator, Senate District 41
Lena Lust
Atlanta Drag Performer
Monica Helms
Creator of the Trans Flag
Rabbi Joshua Lesser
Founder of SOJOURN
Rabbi. Bet Haverim
Rep. Sam Park
Georgia State Representative,
House District 101
Others to be added as they confirm their participation in the project.
The Team
Project
Co-Founders
Rachel Garbus (She/Her)
Co-Founder & Communications Director, The Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project
Co-Host & Producer, Out Down South Podcast
Deputy Editor at Atlanta Magazine & Culture Editor at Wussy Mag
Freelance Oral History Maker
rachelgarbus.com
Instagram – Twitter – LinkedIn
Sam Landis (They/Them)
Co-Founder & Creative Director, The Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project
Co-Host/Producer, Out Down South Podcast
Founder and Creative Director, Gingko Creative Co
SamLandis.com
Instagram – Twitter – LinkedIn
Our Team
Jonathan Thomas Maiocco (He/Him)
Sound Designer & Audio Editor
Music Producer, Film Composer, and Recording Artist
jonathanthomasmaiocco.com
Instagram
And we are still growing!
Apply to join our team below.
Project Partners
* These are partners of the project, but should not be seen as the same entity as the project.
Each organization is separate but works in collaboration with The Atlanta LGBTQ History Project,
with the exception of Equality Foundation of Georgia, our fiscal sponsor.
Special Recognition
Julie Rhoad, for her ongoing guidance and direction as an advisor of the project.
Ryan Roemerman, for his guidance, while Executive Director of The LGBTQ Institute.Rachael Ward and Jon Dean, for their roles in co-founding the project.
Tim’m West, for their guidance and collaboration as the current Executive Director of The LGBTQ Institute.
Morna Gerrard, our oral history & archive guru, for help in coordinating space to record oral histories, and use of oral histories she already had recorded.
Daniel Ballon-Garst, Patrick Long, and Kacie Willis for their contribution and collaboration in the first year of the project.
Paul Conroy, for his support and partnership as Out Front Theatre Company’s Founder & Producing Artistic Director. The Out Front Theatre Company was previously the fiscal sponsor of The Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project.
Help us tell our stories.
Donate to the project or contact us to learn more about how you can participate in the project.
In the Press
'Out Down South' outdoor exhibit observes years of rich Atlanta LGBTQ+ history
NPR WABE | City Lights Staff | January 23rd, 2023
6 Must-See Exhibitions To Check Out This Atlanta Pride Month
Secret Atlanta | Jack Rattenbury | October 3, 2022
Woo Girl! Queer Oral History with Rachel Garbus
Wussy Mag | Good Judy Podcast | Jun 24, 2022
