Out Down South

Julie Rhoad - Former President and CEO of The NAMES Project & AIDS Memorial Quilt

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 AIDS Quilt by establishing the Library of Congress and the National AIDS Memorial as the permanent homes for the memorial and its priceless archival material.Julie’s oral history was recorded by Morna Gerrard, lead archivist for the Women, Gender, & Sexuality Collection at Georgia State’s University Archives; she is included in the podcast episode to provide additional context.Out Down South is brought to you by the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project and part of the WUSSY Podcast Network.Hosted by Rachel Garbus (@goodgraciousrachel) and Sam Landis (@iam_samlandis).Produced by Sam Landis, Rachel Garbus, and Jon Dean (@jondeanphoto)Edited by Jonathan Thomas Maiocco (@jonathanthomasmaiocco) , who also created thepodcast’s thematic music.Podcast graphics created by Sam Landis.Photographer: Alex Pirtle (@photoescapades).Julie is pictured in front of a panel of The AIDS Quilt in permanent display at The Atlanta History Center.Project graphic design & social support: Amanda KillianProject interns: Alyssa Zhang, Alex Campo, Hunter Buchheit, Kaleb Branch, and Oli Turner.The podcast is funded by a Georgia Humanities grant and individual gifts from LGBTQ+ history-lovers like you. If you would like to support the project, you can by visiting:atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.org/donateStay up to date with the Out Down South Podcast and Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project on social: instagram.com/atllgbtqhisproj/ or @atllgbtqhisproj on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Sam Park - Georgia’s First Openly Gay State Representative, House District 101

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 serves as general counsel for Positive Impact Health Centers, which works to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Georgia.Out Down South is brought to you by the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project and part of the WUSSY Podcast Network.Hosted by Rachel Garbus (@goodgraciousrachel) and Sam Landis (@iam_samlandis).Produced by Sam Landis, Rachel Garbus, and Jon Dean (@jondeanphoto)Edited by Jonathan Thomas Maiocco (@jonathanthomasmaiocco) , who also created the podcast’s new thematic music.Podcast graphics created by Sam Landis.Sam Park was photographed by Kenedee Hodges. Sam Park is pictured on the grounds of the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta.Project graphic design & social support: Amanda KillianProject interns: Alyssa Zhang, Alex Campo, and Hunter Buchheit.The podcast is funded by a Georgia Humanities grant and individual gifts from LGBTQ+ history-lovers like you. If you would like to support the project, you can by visiting: atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.org/donateStay up to date with the Out Down South Podcast and Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project on social: instagram.com/atllgbtqhisproj/ or @atllgbtqhisproj on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.About the Project: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.

Mary Anne Adams - Founder & Executive Director, ZAMI NOBLA

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 you by the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project and part of the WUSSY Podcast Network.Our project did not record this oral history interview with Mary Anne Adams. This interview was recorded in 2015 as part of the Southern Lesbian Feminist Activist Herstory Project, which collects oral histories and written life stories from lesbian feminists across the Southeast. The Southern Lesbian Feminist Activist Herstory Project has an amazing archive of interviews, stories, and resources about Southern lesbian and feminist history: to learn more and explore their archive, head to slfaherstoryproject.org. We’re very grateful to them for sharing their collection with us.Mary Anne Adams was interviewed for this oral history by Lorraine Fontana, who’s one of our Honored Subjects in the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project, as well as an amazing lesbian, feminist, and activist in her own right.Out Down South is brought to you by the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project and is part of the WUSSY Podcast Network.Oral History Recorded with Lorraine Fontana for The Southern Lesbian Feminist Activist Herstory Project. Learn more at slfaherstoryproject.org.Hosted by Rachel Garbus (@goodgraciousrachel).Produced by Jon Dean (@jondeanphoto), Rachel Garbus, and Sam Landis(@iam_samlandis).Episode 5 was edited by Jonathan Thomas Maiocco (@jonathanthomasmaiocco)Podcast graphics created by Sam LandisPhotographed by Marilyn Ocasio Nieves.Mary Anne Adams is pictured in her home in East Point.Project interns - Alyssa Zhang, Alex Campo, Hunter Buchheit, and Oli Turner.Our original podcast theme music was created by our sound designer, Jonathan Thomas Maiocco (@jonathanthomasmaiocco)The podcast is funded by a Georgia Humanities grant and individual gifts from LGBTQ+ history lovers like you. If you would like to support the project, you can by visiting: atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.org/donateStay up to date with the Out Down South Podcast and Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project on social: instagram.com/atllgbtqhisproj/ or @atllgbtqhisproj on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.About the Project: 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 & Archives. Learn more by visiting: atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.orgWe are grateful for the partners of the podcast and project: WussyMag and the special collections and archives at Georgia State University Library where all of the oral histories from this project will be archived.You can find the full show notes and the podcast transcription at atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.org/out-down-south-episodes/mary-anne-adams

Rabbi Joshua Lesser - Founder of SOJOURN & Rabbi Emeritus, Bet Haverim

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. Leading at the intersection of justice and spirituality, he is passionate about incorporating Jewish contemplative practice with a commitment to civil and human rights.Out Down South is brought to you by the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project and part of the WUSSY Podcast Network.Hosted by Rachel Garbus (@goodgraciousrachel) and Sam Landis (@iam_samlandis).Produced by Jon Dean (@jondeanphoto), Rachel Garbus, and Sam LandisEdited by Rachel Garbus Podcast graphics created by Sam LandisPhotographed by Aurie Singletary. Kim Jackson is pictured outside Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.Project interns: Alyssa Zhang, Alex Campo, and Hunter Buchheit. Podcast Music Information:Intro Song: “Break the Mold” by Jack Pierce Supplemental Music from AudioJungle The podcast is funded by a Georgia Humanities grant and individual gifts from LGBTQ+ history-lovers like you. If you would like to support the project, you can by visiting: atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.org/donateStay up to date with the Out Down South Podcast and Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project on social: instagram.com/atllgbtqhisproj/ or @atllgbtqhisproj on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Rev. Sen. Kim Jackson - Georgia’s first openly LGBTQ+ State Senator

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 senator, Kim has championed legislation that improves the lives of Georgia’s most vulnerable communities and has been outspoken against laws cruelly targeting LGBTQ+ youth.Out Down South is brought to you by the Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project and part of the WUSSY Podcast Network.Hosted by Rachel Garbus (@goodgraciousrachel) and Sam Landis (@iam_samlandis).Produced by Jon Dean (@jondeanphoto), Rachel Garbus (@goodgraciousrachel), and Sam Landis (@iam_samlandis).Edited by Rachel Garbus (@goodgraciousrachel)Podcast graphics created by Sam Landis (@iam_samlandis)Photographed by Jody Fausett. Grant Henry is pictured at Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium in Atlanta.Oral history transcribed by Alyssa ZhangProject interns: Alyssa Zhang, Alex Campo, and Hunter Buchheit. Podcast Music Information:Intro Song: “Break the Mold” by Jack Pierce Supplemental Music from AudioJungleThe podcast is funded by a Georgia Humanities grant and individual gifts from LGBTQ+ history-lovers like you. If you would like to support the project, you can by visiting: atlantalgbtqhistoryproject.org/donateStay up to date with the Out Down South Podcast and Atlanta LGBTQ+ History Project on social: instagram.com/atllgbtqhisproj/ or @atllgbtqhisproj on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.