WHO: Historic Macon Foundation

WHAT: “Macon’s Hidden History” video series

WHEN: Debuts Oct. 1; continues weekly through the month

WHERE: historicmacon.org and Historic Macon’s Facebook, Instagram pages

BACKGROUND: October is LGBTQ History Month, and to mark the occasion, Historic Macon has produced a video series, “Macon’s Hidden History,” about the LGBTQ community in Macon.

Each week of the month, Historic Macon will release one video from barrier-breaking Maconites who share their stories during one-on-one interviews. Topics in the oral history series range from Macon’s public relationship with the LGBTQ community to the impact of 2015’s legalization of gay marriage.

"Part of Historic Macon's mission is to share history, and that extends far beyond brick-and-mortar buildings," said Ethiel Garlington, HMF's executive director. "Through this series, we will provide perspectives that both enlighten and strengthen our community."

The project, funded by a Downtown Challenge Grant from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, will preserve this important part of Macon’s narrative, sharing in-depth stories of our  LGBTQ community’s history, culture and activism.

Sharing their perspectives in 20- to 25-minute interviews will be: Jim Crisp; Carey Pickard; Yvonne Miller; DeMarcus Beckham; and Tangerine Summers. Elliot James, a writer, journalist and performing artist, interviewed each participant.

Each Thursday at noon, one video will premiere on HMF's Facebook and Instagram pages, after which it will have a permanent home on HMF's website, historicmacon.org.  

Historic Macon hopes the series will be just the beginning of our community’s commitment to preserve this and other important underrepresented parts of Macon’s narrative.