lgbtq+ Historic context statement for the city of atlanta
Group photo of members or attendees of the Southern Gay Conference, also known as the Southeastern Conference of Lesbian and Gay men. Photo courtesy of Georgia State University Library Exhibit
Acknowledgement of Federal Assistance:
This (material or preservation project) has been financed with assistance from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, U. S. Department of Interior, through the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this [project/product] are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior or the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products or consultants constitute endorsement or recommendation by these agencies. This program receives Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender or disability in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office for Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, N. W., Washington, D.C. 20240
LGBTQ+ Historic Context Statement for the City of Atlanta
What is a Historic Context Statement?
A formal research report that is used in historic preservation efforts to compile information about a historic subject or topic.
Here, it applies to research on Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community and the assessment of historically significant LGBTQ+ places.
The front of the 1977 Pride parade in Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archives. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library
Why do a Historic Context Statement?
Document the rich and often under-recognized history of Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ communities, events, and people.
Recognize LGBTQ+ milestones in state and national history.
Provide information for potential Atlanta LGBTQ+ historic preservation efforts.
Fill information gaps and strengthen shared knowledge about the history of Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community, including through engagement with its members and preservationists.
Who prepared the Historical Context Statement?
Historic Atlanta established LGBTQ+ Historic Preservation Advisory Committee in 2019 to address LGBTQ+ historic preservation.
In 2022, Historic Atlanta partnered with the City of Atlanta and Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs’ Historic Preservation Division to identify and document sites, including neighborhoods, public spaces, and buildings associated with the LGBTQ+ community.
With this context statement, Atlanta joins major US cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington DC in proactively documenting sites significant to the LGBTQ+ community.
Atlanta Gay Center, 931 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA, January 1981. Photo courtesy: GSU
What Comes Next?
Ongoing partnership between Historic Atlanta and the City of Atlanta’s Department of City Planning.
More public events, discussions, and research on best ways to document and preserve local LGBTQ+ history and the places and spaces associated with it.
Implementation of recommendations outlined in the full report.
Survey
Help the Department of City Planning, Historic Atlanta, and the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs understand your interests and priorities related to the City’s LGBTQ+ history, and historic places and spaces.
Public Presentations
Our History: Celebrating Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ History—August 27th Community Discussion.
Round 1 Community Presentation—Summer 2022
Round 2 Community Presentation—Fall 2022/Winter 2023
Our History: Celebrating Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ History—February 28th Black History Month Community Discussion
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