Best known as the key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was also a key advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a tireless social activist. As an openly gay African-American, Rustin faced many challenges in both his personal and public life. Despite these challenges, his accomplishments as a social strategist were unmatched in an era where bigotry and homophobia reigned unchecked. The contributions of Bayard Rustin crossed economic, racial and gender boundaries as he fought for justice for all human beings.

As the nation celebrates the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., In The Life Atlanta will host several programs to honor current and past leaders in the civil rights struggle.



Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Title: Trailblazing Our Rights and Our Freedoms Part 1
Time: 7:00 pm
Description: Power of One is Part 1 of an interactive media program series that honors LGBT Pioneers.

The Power of One: Celebrating Goldy and Joe Criscuolo The Criscuolos led Cracker Barrel and Olympics Out of Cobb protests and were core members of Act Up and Queer Nation. Dave Hayward, writer, activist and Touching Up Our Roots coordinator, is the panel moderator.
Location: Atlanta Central Public Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303 (MARTA Peachtree Center Station Accessible)



Saturday, January 19, 2008

Title: L.O.V.E. Coalition’s 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast
Time: 10:00 am
Description: This year our theme is: Creating a Community of Diversity and Acceptance. The guest speaker will be “Able” Mable Thomas.  Ms. Mable Thomas, a native of Atlanta, is currently serving as a State Representative in the Georgia House of Representatives. Requested donation: $15. Event will take place at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System’s Central branch, located at 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Location: Atlanta Central Public Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303 (MARTA Peachtree Center Station Accessible)
Contact: Stephon Collins at 404-492-2632 or Louis Hinton at 404-272-8609. RSVP emails accepted at: lchinton@bellsouth.net



Title: Social Justice Speakfire
Time: 6:30 pm
Description: Atlanta’s premiere organization for lesbians of African descent ZAMI presents a Social Justice Speakfire at the House of IntegriTEA. This event will include an LGBTQ intergenerational dialogue and a spoken word open mic featuring some of Atlanta’s most skillful wordsmiths addressing themes related to social justice and liberation. This event will be presented in conjunction with the Rustin-Lorde Breakfast to provide an artistic space for Black LGBTQ and progressive communities during the MLK weekend.
Location: 312 C. N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA
Contact: Marry Anne Adams at 404.370.1392



Monday, January 21, 2008

Title: The 2008 Atlanta Bayard Rustin-Audre Lorde Breakfast
Time: 9:00 am
Description: Breakfast will be held at Atlanta First United Methodist Church. The 7th annual event has a new name and home. Lorde’s name has been added to honor the legendary Black lesbian feminist writer/activist and highlight the significance of Black women’s leadership in human rights movements. Positive Impact, an agency that provides free mental health services for people affected by HIV, will serve as the fiscal agent for the event.
Location: 360 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA
Contact: Darlene Hudson at 404.441.4827 or Craig Washington at 404.589.9040 x104



Title: Martin Luther King Jr. March
Time: 12:45 pm
Description: Following the breakfast attendess will proceed to the Martin Luther King Jr March and gather at the line-up site on Peachtree and Ellis streets at 12:45pm. The MLK March kicks off at 1pm.
Location: Intersection of Peachtree and Ellis St., Atlanta, GA
Contact: Darlene Hudson at 404.441.4827 or Craig Washington at 404.589.9040 x104



Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Title: Crossing Boundaries. Part 2 of the Trailblazing Our Rights and Our Freedoms series
Time: 7:00 pm
Description: Part 2 of an interactive media program series that honors LGBT Pioneers.

Crossing Boundaries celebrates Winston Johnson and Walter Naegle. Find out what inspired Coretta Scott King to become involved in the Gay Rights Movement as you hear from Bayard Rustin’s surviving partner Walter Naegle discuss Rustin’s involvement in social change. Panel Topic: 40 Years After King’s Dream: Where are we in the struggle to achieve Civil and Human Rights? Moderated by award-winning journalist Anaré V. Holmes, In the Life Atlanta’s Executive Board Secretary.
Location: Atlanta Central Public Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303 (MARTA Peachtree Center Station Accessible)



Thursday, January 24, 2008

Title: Ties that Bind. The final installment of the three part Trailblazing Our Rights and Our Freedoms series
Time: 7:00 pm
Description: Part 3 of an interactive media program series that honors LGBT Pioneers.

Colbs was a leader in the Atlanta chapter of Parents and Friends and Families of Gays and Lesbians (PFLAG) for over 20 years. Alan Richard, journalist and human rights advocate, is the panel moderator.
Location: Atlanta Central Public Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303 (MARTA Peachtree Center Station Accessible)

In The Life Atlanta
346 Auburn Ave NE
Suite 126
Atlanta, GA 30312
678-623-0677 Fax
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Mission: ITLA serves to promote unity, pride, self-empowerment, and positive visibility within Atlanta's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community of African descent through education, advocacy, and coalition building programs.