‘Lesbian Families in the Deep South’ at Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/29/lesbian-families-in-the-deep-south_n_1389868.html

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Founded to teach about human rights and the fight for equality during the days of racial segregation, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is introducing a new topic: Lesbian awareness in the South.

The museum opens a new exhibit Friday night featuring photographs of lesbian couples and families living in the Deep South. Some women are depicted arm-in-arm or embracing with their faces fully visible. Others who weren’t comfortable being identified publicly are pictured with their backs to the camera. Some photos include the women’s children.

The 40 images are stark and plain. Shot against a white background, there’s nothing but the women and their kids to draw viewers’ eyes.

Two women are shown in military uniforms with their faces to the side; two female ministers were photographed in clerical garb. The women are young and old; While one couple is kissing there’s nothing sexual about the photos, and everyone is fully clothed.