In addition to education and research, the LGBTQ Institute also ensures that LGBTQ people are heard and seen through the National Center for Civil and Human Right's (NCCHR) exhibits and content.

Our temporary exhibit: Disruption is Democracy explores the utility and impact of protests among Atlanta’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities of the 1980s and 1990s. Specifically, the exhibition focuses on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrations and Cracker Barrel protests of 1990 and 1991, respectively.

These events demonstrate how the actions of organizations, such as ACT UP and Queer Nation, led to increased federal spending on HIV/AIDS research and improved workplace equality, feats that would benefit millions of Americans regardless of sexual orientation. The exhibition also discusses LGBTQ safe spaces and magazines that mobilized communities at the center of these fights.

As the NCCHR celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) this exhibit exemplifies how “everyone has the right to freedom of assembly and association,” and that “the will of the people shall be the basis for the authority of government.” Acts of nonviolent civil disobedience are a part of the ongoing negotiations that ensure our democracy. They regulate the power of governments and businesses to reflect the will of the people.”

The exhibit is also timely as we recognize World AIDS Day on Dec. 1st and the impact local LGBTQ communities have had on advancing policy and practices that have improved the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.