So how do you document history if a lot of that history has been hidden from the outside world? That’s the challenge and the life’s work of Josh Burford, who has set out to tell the LGBTQ history of the South.
Josh has done a lot of his work in North Carolina, but he’s headed back to his home state of Alabama to work on a project called Invisible Histories, which he hopes to take throughout the South to archive the stories of LGBTQ pioneers. On this episode of SouthBound, Josh and I talk about the pull of history and the political act of coming out. Josh reads from a 100-year-old diary found at a thrift store. And we also talk a little bit of college football.
Show Notes:
Highlights from a collection Josh worked on about LGBTQ history in the Charlotte area
For images of the early 1900s chapbook, plus an in-depth look at the founding of the University of Alabama's Gay Student Union, head over to The Invisible Histories Project of Alabama, where Josh will be focusing his efforts beginning in February.
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Music Heard In This Episode:
- Duet For Guitars #2 - M. Ward
- Growing Up - Ben Sollee
Where to Listen:
New episodes of SouthBound will come out every other week on Wednesday. Subscribe:
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Producer: Nick de la Canal