The Georgia Rainbow History Project has proposed the establishment of an Atlanta LGBTQ Hall of Fame and a Georgia LGBTQ Hall of Fame to recognize the people, organizations, and collectives that have made significant contributions.
According to GRHP director Tom Dibble Dempsey, the Atlanta Hall would honor contributions centered in Atlanta and its metropolitan communities. The Georgia Hall would recognize historically significant contributions across the state.
The proposal targets an inaugural Atlanta class of 8 to 12 honorees in October 2027 to coincide with the annual Atlanta Pride celebration.
Statewide research and regional outreach would begin in 2027, with a separate Georgia inaugural class targeted for 2028, subject to a GRHP board vote. The statewide program would seek inaugural hosts outside metro Atlanta, Dempsey said.
Under the proposed process, public nominations would be free and available online, by email, or on paper. People, organizations, and collectives could be nominated, including posthumously.
Proposed fields of contribution include advocacy, public service, HIV/AIDS and health, arts, media, business, faith, nightlife, sports, and education. Regional outreach would seek rural participation and overlooked histories, including Black LGBTQ organizers, transgender pioneers, faith communities, and people who carried the AIDS response.
The provisional 2027 funding target is $15,000: $8,000 for the Atlanta pilot, $4,000 for Georgia planning and $3,000 for shared work.
Dempsey said GRHP would seek funding for the Hall of Fame via donations, sponsorships, and grants.
