Flashback Photos: Gay Rights in 1980s Atlanta

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Flashback Photos: Gay Rights in 1980s Atlanta

Gay men and women demonstrate with the Atlanta Gay Rights Alliance for gay rights legislation in Atlanta in the summer of 1977. PHOTO BY JEROME MCCLENDON / AJC ARCHIVES

Gay rights protesters picket the Miss National Teenager pageant, opposing the choice of Anita Bryant as "America's Greatest American" by the 3,500 pageant finalists, Atlanta, Georgia, August 1977. PHOTOS BY MILNA LINN / AJC ARCHIVES

Unidentified marchers at a rally for gay rights in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 19, 1980. PHOTO BY KENNETH WALKER / AJC ARCHIVES

Marchers in a gay pride parade in front of the 10th Street Art Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, June 26, 1979. PHOTO BY CALVUN CRUCE / AJC ARCHIVES

Gay pride participants ride in a convertible and hold a sign that says "Gay is good" during the 1980 gay pride celebration in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 21, 1980. PHOTO BY KENNETH WALKER/ AJC ARCHIVES

An unidentified man being led away by police officers during the 1980 gay pride celebration in Atlanta, Georgia, June 21, 1980. PHOTO BY KENNETH WALKER / AJC ARCHIVES

A man carries a sign saying "We are all God's children"at the 1980 gay pride celebration, Atlanta, Georgia, June 21, 1980. PHOTO BY KENNETH WALKER / AJC ARCHIVES

American playwright Christopher Durang signs playbills in Atlanta, Georgia, September 26, 1980. PHOTO BY STEVE HELBER / AJC ARCHIVES

Arsonists destroy After Dark, a bookstore and video store catering to gay men, Atlanta, Georgia, December 4, 1980.

8th annual gay rights parade on Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia, June 25, 1983. PHOTO BY LANNA SWINDLER / AJC ARCHIVES

Michael Wilson mans the phones for Gay Help Line at the Atlanta Gay Center in Atlanta, Georgia, February 1985. PHOTO BY JOHN SPINK / AJC ARCHIVES

Protesters outside the First Baptist Church, demonstrating against Rev. Charles Stanley's remarks about AIDS in Atlanta, Georgia, February 9, 1986. PHOTO BY ANDY SHARP / AJC ARCHIVES

A drag queen in the 17th annual Gay Pride Parade, Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia, June 21, 1986. PHOTO BY NEIL MCGAHEE / AJC ARCHIVES

Kathy Wilde, attorney for Michael Hardwick, speaking at a gay rights demonstration in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision for Bowers v. Hardwick (Georgia sodomy law case), Richard B. Russell Federal Building, Atlanta, Georgia, July 3, 1986.

Gay rights demonstration, held in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Bowers v. Hardwick, a Georgia sodomy case, Richard B. Russell Federal Building, Atlanta, Georgia, July 3, 1986.

Gay rights demonstration, held in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Bowers v. Hardwick, a Georgia sodomy case, Richard B. Russell Federal Building, Atlanta, Georgia, July 3, 1986.

Michael Hardwick, defendant in the Ga. sodomy case spoke to the Atl Business and Professional Guild Sunday at Colony Square. Michael Hardwick's challenge of Georgia's sodomy statue has sparked a movement to appeal sodomy laws in 25 states.

A billboard "Gay America Loves You," billboard, looking south down the Downtown Connector, Atlanta, Georgia, June 20, 1990. PHOTO BY WILLIAM BERRY / AJC ARCHIVES

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Gay men and women demonstrate with the Atlanta Gay Rights Alliance for gay rights legislation in Atlanta in the summer of 1977. PHOTO BY JEROME MCCLENDON / AJC ARCHIVES

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