In a significant development, the Mellon Foundation has generously granted $2.2 million to support Invisible Histories in their noble endeavor to locate, preserve, and research LGBTQ history in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. This funding will undoubtedly play a crucial role in unearthing and safeguarding the often overlooked stories of the LGBTQ community in these regions.
Invisible Histories, led by Joshua Burford and Maigen Sullivan, PhD, aims to challenge the prevailing narrative of a neglected South and foster a sense of community and heritage for LGBTQ individuals in the Southern region. Through their efforts, Invisible Histories not only uncovers and preserves Southern LGBTQ history but also conducts research and develops educational programs centered around this important aspect of our past.
According to Josh Burford, Co-Executive Director, this grant holds immense significance for Invisible Histories as an organization. It not only ensures the sustainability of our organization but also enables us to extend support to the LGBTQ Southern community by uncovering and sharing their untold stories. The grant is specifically targeted towards the following areas:
Sustainability & Growth: This funding will enable Invisible Histories to prioritize diversifying financial support for the organization, specifically through regular and planned donations, as well as program sponsorships. Additionally, this funding provides an opportunity to assess the feasibility and sustainability of expanding Invisible Histories into more Southern states. The administration of Invisible Histories will evaluate the viability of such expansion, which is crucial given the escalating attacks on LGBTQ history, education, and communities in the region.
● Collections Diversity: You can access the Invisible Histories collection database at https://invisiblehistory.org/collections-database/. This grant allows Invisible Histories staff to dedicate more resources and time to collaborate with People of Color and Transgender/Nonbinary individuals and organizations across the South. The goal is to enhance the representation of these communities within our collections and the broader historical record. It is important to note that People of Color and Transgender/Nonbinary individuals are often underrepresented even within LGBTQ collections and historical research. Therefore, our primary focus in the coming years will be on initiatives such as:
The Queer History Field Kits are backpacks that come equipped with all the necessary supplies to support the process of community archiving and oral histories. A select group of individuals and organizations from the Deep South are chosen to receive these kits and take part in an online training session on preserving their local community’s narratives. The initial cohort of Field Kits comprises 11 individuals and organizations. Individuals, organizations, and businesses have the opportunity to sponsor Field Kits, thereby contributing to the promotion of community archiving throughout the South.
Invisible Histories is currently working on a community organizer and leader institute. The main objective of this institute is to educate LGBTQ community organizers and leaders about their local histories. Additionally, it aims to equip participants with practical skills to preserve their own historical records for future generations. The institute is being developed through fundraising efforts.
Invisible Histories is actively collaborating with community archiving and traditional institutions in the South to prioritize the safety and accessibility of collections. Given the rising censorship of marginalized history, literature, and education by state legislatures, it has become imperative to develop policies, resources, and plans that safeguard these materials. The goal is to ensure their availability to the public, irrespective of any political changes occurring at the local or state level.
Invisible Histories is dedicated to education and outreach, serving as a comprehensive resource for Southern LGBTQ history. We go beyond collecting archival materials and actively engage in local history research. Our collaboration with students and scholars worldwide allows us to create educational talks, exhibits, and online media. Our efforts in this area encompass a wide range of initiatives, including:
Invisible Histories has provided opportunities to more than 70 student interns through its Graduate Internships program. These interns gain valuable experience and earn course credit at their respective universities. During their internship, they work on various projects such as exhibit curation, metadata creation, digital preservation, and conducting research.
Invisible Histories has recently unveiled a new website that offers a wealth of information about the organization, along with educational resources for the general public. The website features comprehensive details about the organization, including step-by-step instructions on how to archive personal materials. Additionally, there is a donation packet available for new donors, virtual exhibits showcasing various collections, and a blog that features contributions from the staff, interns, and partner scholars of Invisible Histories.
Queer History South (QHS) is a vibrant network comprising of more than 700 individuals from all over the United States. This collective of passionate individuals shares a common interest in the preservation, research, and education of Southern LGBTQ history. Every two years, QHS organizes a conference in different locations across the South, serving as a platform for nearly 200 attendees to engage in meaningful discussions on LGBTQ archiving, history, and education. In the recent gathering held on March 23-24 in Charlotte, NC, participants not only explored various facets of these topics but also devised strategies to combat the growing anti-LGBTQ sentiments prevalent in our region and beyond.
In-person and online exhibits have been created by Invisible Histories. Currently, the organization is working on developing two more in-person exhibits and a series of small online exhibits that will be launched in the coming years.
LGBTQ communities are at the forefront of a crucial battle to preserve their histories, literature, rights, and healthcare in the face of relentless attacks from state legislatures across the South. In the current socio-political climate, the importance of preserving and learning from our histories cannot be overstated. It serves as a vital tool in the fight for liberation, equity, and justice. Dr. Maigen Sullivan, Co-Executive Director, emphasized the power of archiving, stating, “Archiving is power, and we aim to empower our communities by providing them with resources to understand their struggles and triumphs.”
Invisible Histories became a fully incorporated 501C3 organization on October 12, 2016. Donors are eligible to claim tax deductions for their contributions under IRS Section 170. The Internal Revenue Service has recognized Invisible Histories as a public charity, granting it the public charity status 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi). If you would like more information, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
