Coretta Scott King’s evolution as a gay rights advocate is one of the gay-related stories recommended for inclusion in Atlanta’s Center for Civil & Human Rights. (Photo by AP)
Civil rights center unveils proposed gay content Gay history buffs hope final recommendation is more inclusive
While paying homage to widely celebrated civil rights icons and historical moments, leaders of Atlanta’s proposed Center for Civil & Human Rights say the facility aims to teach visitors that the civil rights movement didn’t start with the Montgomery Bus Boycott, nor was the gay rights movement invisible before the Stonewall Riots.
Some 23 years before New York’s famous Stonewall Riots, Rev. George Hyde established a gay-friendly church in Atlanta, according to a draft of recommended content for the Civil & Human Rights Center released Dec. 11.
“I think this really illustrates so many interesting different things: One, it’s a religious institution, and religion is such an important piece when you talk about human and civil rights,” said Doug Shipman, executive director of the public-private partnership working to bring the Center for Civil & Human Rights to fruition by fall 2010 at an estimated $125 million price tag.
“Two, it’s in Atlanta in ’46!” Shipman added.“Why is that happening? What is it that makes a minister undertake that, and what was the community reaction? Those are the kinds of stories to uncover.”
A 22-member content committee comprised of educators, museum experts, civil rights veterans and media specialists drafted the proposal that mentions Hyde’s gay-friendly church among other specific topics or exhibits. It also envisions the center hosting movies, artistic performances, discussion panels and workshops.
“The intent is that this is a roadmap … not the design,” Shipman said of the content committee’s draft, which will be finalized by February after soliciting public comment.
The draft divides the center into three different time periods — the evolution of human rights from the 1700s to 1930s, the modern Civil Rights Movement that took place from World War II to the 1970s, and contemporary human rights struggles such as the fight for immigrant and gay rights.
In addition to Hyde’s church, the draft recommends the center explore Atlanta’s first Gay Pride march and the local response to AIDS in the ’80s.
LIGHT ON GAY CONTENT?
Another story CCHR organizers are zeroing in on is the professional bonds and friendships Coretta Scott King forged with local gay men and lesbians, and how she and other civil rights luminaries became vocal champions of gay rights.
But some local gay activists who have been working with the Center for Civil & Human Rights were “concerned” that the content committee’s draft was light on gay content.
“I was surprised and disappointed, I must say,” said Dave Hayward, coordinator of Touching Up Our Roots, a gay history project. “We want to make sure when they come out with another report that there’s a lot more specifics in there.”
With the impact of World War II on civil rights being one of the cornerstones of the new center,Hayward said he would like to see recognition of gay and lesbian rights groups that sprouted up in the ‘50s.
“All of that really came out of the postwar,” said Hayward, who reiterated his support for the center and Shipman. “I think he’ll do as much for us as he can.”
While marking gay historical moments and exploring the human rights aspect of topics like same-sex marriage and adoption, the Center for Civil & Human Rights will avoid anything that could be considered advocacy, or taking a stance on a contentious issue.
“If there’s a bill before the U.S. Congress or something else calling for the U.S. to do X or Y, if the center comes out on center letterhead and say we support the passage of bill X or Y, that’s advocacy … that’s the kind of thing I couldn’t imagine,” Shipman said.
The content committee learned from other museums and history centers that avoiding advocacy sometimes makes a more powerful statement.
“The audience will make their connections in ways that are quite creative, and in ways that are quite powerful, if they feel like you are giving them the ability to make their own connections. If you’re preaching at them, then they’ll respond quite defensively,” Shipman said.
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