Atlanta LGBTQ History Project

09/30/2026

It’s been a minute, so we wanted to take a minute to share our cofounders’ stories with you!

Rachel Garbus Benitez (she/her) is a writer, editor, and oral history maker. Originally from Massachusetts, she moved to Atlanta after college and accidentally fell in love with the South. She’s now the deputy editor at Atlanta magazine 🖊️ and the culture editor at q***r outlet Wussy 👄 She lives in Westview ( ) with her wife, a professional primatologist, her daughter (professionally cute), and her rescue dog (professionally anxious). She’s a big fan of superlative coffee, satisfying pens, and delightful encounters with strangers. Find her Rachel Garbus or rachelgarbus.com 🌻

Sam Landis (they/them) is a designer and creative director passionate about q***r history. Raised in Alabama, they moved to Atlanta for SCAD and have been deeply involved in the local LGBTQ community ever since. Now leading their own agency, Gingko Creative Co, Sam collaborates with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to non-profits, specializing in branding and experiential/event design. Recently, they relocated to Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood with their dog Opal (a self-proclaimed “girl boss”) to build a chosen family with their q***r partners Al (future midwife) and Martha (eco-biologist). When not working, Sam enjoys outdoor adventures (especially by water), art of all kinds, and discovering new places and people. Find them Sam Landis or samlandis.com. 

Together, along with some other wonderful humans (Shout out to Rachel Ward, Jon Dean, and Daniel Ballon-Garst) we founded The Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project almost 5 years ago. A year later we opened our first exhibit and launched the first season of our Out Down South Podcast. After a little more than a year of stepping away to focus on personal priorities, we are excited to take the project into its next chapter, with new exhibits and podcast seasons coming in 2027 and 2028.

09/25/2026

🍿 Out on Film Festival opens this weekend in Atlanta!

🪻The south’s first, and one of the country’s largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ film festivals, Out on Film is an incredible annual celebration of q***r life onscreen. It was founded in 1987 by the organization Southeast Arts, Media and Education (SAME), led by Rebecca Ranson, a playwright and activist. Ranson lost many friends to the HIV/AIDS epidemic: she knew firsthand the power of telling our stories to ensure we are not erased. 

🎉 Today, Out On Film is led by our friend Jim Farmer, who has built the festival into an epic 11-day bonanza of q***r movie-making magic! Check out the stacked lineup at outonfilm.org, and if you’re in Atlanta, be sure to stop by a screening or two.

⚡ Fun fact: Out on Film is one of only 6 LGBTQ+ film festivals to be an Oscar-qualifier. Last year’s “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” directed by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh, won the jury prize here and went on to tie for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short! 🏆

What’s your favorite film you’ve seen there over the years or what film are you going to see this week? Comment below!

09/23/2026

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! 🧡

This month, we celebrate the history, culture, creativity, and contributions of Hispanic and Latine communities, while uplifting the trans and gender-expansive people whose stories, leadership, and resilience continue to shape our communities.

For Trans Housing Coalition, this celebration is also personal. Our own beginnings are rooted in the vision and leadership of our founder, Jesse Pratt Lopez, a Latine trans woman whose commitment to community helped lay the foundation for the work we continue today.

From organizing and advocacy to art, care, housing, and community building, trans Hispanic and Latine people have always been part of creating safer, more affirming futures for our communities.

We honor those who paved the way, those leading today, and those continuing to build a world where trans people can live with safety, belonging, opportunity, and self-determination.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from THC. 🏳️‍⚧️✨

09/23/2026

09/23/2026

🩷 September 23 is Bi+ Visibility Day—a day to celebrate bisexual identities (+ anyone who is attracted to people across the gender spectrum!), and to honor and shed light on the bisexual community. Several bisexual activists held their first National Bisexual Conference in the U.S. in 1990, hoping to build solidarity for people who were sometimes viewed with suspicion or doubt, not just outside but inside the q***r community.  

💜 Bi Visibility Day was officially recognized for the first time in 1999 at the International Le***an and Gay Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

💙 Here in Atlanta, we want to shout out Bi+ Georgia - Bi+ Georgia, an bisexual+ community that works to amplify bisexual+ voices, provide resources, and foster connections. Their efforts are a testament to the power of community organizing and advocacy in the ongoing fight for visibility and equality. 

✨ Bi Visibility Day is a reminder to listen, uplift, and celebrate the diverse experiences of bisexual+ individuals. It’s also a call to action: to ensure their stories are preserved, their struggles are acknowledged, and their contributions are honored—not just today, but every day.

🫶🏼 Bi+ fam: we see you, and we love you! Thanks for being part of the rainbow 🌈

09/22/2026

Thank you Rough Draft® and katie burkholder for sharing the news about our return! 🎉

We’re so excited to be back in your feeds 🫶 The Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project has so much q***r history to share in the months to come! Stay tuned for more amazing stories from the LGBTQ+ South 🍑🌈

[shout out to Lavender Performing Arts Festival where this photo was snapped in 2024!]

09/22/2026

On September 21, 1955, Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin co-founded the Daughters of Bilitis in San Francisco—the first le***an civil and social organization in the U.S. Born from a need for safety and connection, it grew into a cornerstone of early LGBTQ+ activism and visibility. Inspired by the poetry of Pierre Louÿs, the group began as a secret social club, offering le***ans an alternative to bars that were frequently raided by police. By 1960, chapters had formed in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and Rhode Island, with additional groups emerging in cities like San Francisco and beyond. The organization published the influential The Ladder magazine and advocated for equality during an era of widespread discrimination. The last chapter closed in 1978, marking the end of an era for the pioneering group.

You can learn more about their story and the creation of the DOB, directly from Del and Phyllis, by listening to Season 3, Episode 7 of Making Gay History Podcast.

09/19/2026

Good news! We have extended our application deadlines for both roles we have open!

We’re hiring a research fellow and podcast producer✨

Follow the “Join our Team” link in our bio for more info and applications.

09/15/2026

09/15/2026