Out Down South

This episode features Julie Rhoad, the former president and CEO of the NAMES Project Foundation, which serves as caretaker of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, an ever-evolving memorial to lives lost to HIV/AIDS. Julie led the Foundation during its tenure in Atlanta, connecting Southeastern communities with The Quilt’s powerful stories of love and remembrance. She secured the long-term preservation of the...

In this episode, we hear from Sam Park, who is both the first Asian-American Democrat and the first openly gay (male) lawmaker to serve in the Georgia State Legislature. The grandson of refugees and the son of Korean immigrants, Sam has been a powerful voice for Georgia’s Asian-American community, and an affordable healthcare advocate for all Georgians. In addition to his legislative duties, Sam s...

In this episode, we feature Mary Anne Adams, a lifelong activist and organizer, a brilliant academic, and a beloved member of the Atlanta lesbian community. Mary Anne is the Founder and Executive Director of ZAMI NOBLA, the National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging, which provides resources to aid the coming-of-age process for Black lesbians over the age of 40. Out Down South is brought to...

In this episode, we hear from Rabbi Joshua Lesser, an LGBTQ+ activist and rabbi emeritus at Congregation Bet Haverim, a Reconstructionist synagogue founded by Jewish LGBTQ+ Atlantans that welcomes all Jews and their loved ones. Joshua created SOJOURN, the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender & Sexual Diversity, and co-edited Torah Queeries, a weekly Torah commentary with an LGBTQ+ lens....

In this episode, we hear from Kim Jackson, Georgia’s first openly LGBTQ+ state senator. She represents the Stone Mountain area in the Georgia General Assembly. Kim is also an ordained Episcopal priest; she serves as vicar of the Church of the Common Ground, which ministers to unhoused Atlantans outside Central Presbyterian Church, in the shadow of the capitol building’s gold dome. As a state senat...

As the proprietor of “Church,” Grant Henry welcomes people of all identities to this beloved fixture of Atlanta nightlife.  With locations in Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, Grant’s bar features whimsical, irreverent art and events like organ karaoke and Sunday Service dance parties. Sister Louisa is Grant’s artistic persona, reflecting stops in his life journey – divinity school, the world of a...

Ms. Dee Dee Chamblee is the executive director and founder of LaGender Inc., a non-profit organization, led by Black trans women, dedicated to the support of transgender women of color in the metro Atlanta area. Dee Dee founded LaGender in 2001 to address the unique needs of the transgender community surrounding issues such as HIV/AIDS, homelessness, incarceration, mental health wellness, discrimi...

LGBTQ+ history isn’t just made in New York and San Francisco - it’s happening in big cities and small towns around the world. Here in the South, we have our own unique stories of resilience, courage, and transformation. With each episode of the Out Down South Podcast we are going to dive into an oral history interview with a different southern LGBTQ+ history-maker.  The first season of Out Do...