Happy LGBTQ History Month!
Happy LGBTQ History Month from all of us at the Faulkner Morgan Archive!
I’m glad to report that this has been a remarkable year of growth for FMA. What began twelve years ago as an effort to preserve the stories of LGBTQ Kentuckians has continued to grow into something beyond our wildest dreams: an organization ensuring Kentucky’s LGBTQ history is preserved, studied, shared, and celebrated for generations to come.
This year, our work took an extraordinary step forward. In January, FMA received a $900,000 grant, the largest investment in our organization’s history. This transformational support is expanding our work in ways we could only have imagined a few years ago, from developing new programs and creating greater opportunities for the public to engage with our collections to strengthening the infrastructure necessary to care for and share Kentucky’s LGBTQ history.
But for FMA, growth is about more than getting bigger. It means preserving stories that might otherwise disappear. It means creating opportunities for young people to see themselves within Kentucky history. It means helping researchers uncover stories that have too often been overlooked. And it means ensuring that LGBTQ Kentuckians know that their lives are an essential part of our Commonwealth’s story.
We are incredibly proud of how far FMA has come. But this next chapter depends on you.
Major grants can make transformative projects possible, but annual gifts from supporters like you sustain the organization behind them. Your tax-deductible contribution provides the support that allows us to care for our collections, create public programs, respond to new opportunities, and continue building an institution capable of carrying this history forward.
Please consider making a gift to the Faulkner Morgan Archive today. Your support is helping us build something that will last.
With gratitude,
Jonathan Coleman, Ph.D.Co-Founder & President
Faulkner Morgan Archive, Inc.
Check out our newsletter to see just how we at FMA share Kentucky’s LGBTQ History all year long!
Local Legends:
A Drag Show Fundraiser
Join us as we honor some of Kentucky’s drag legends, celebrate LGBTQ History Month, and raise money for the Faulkner Morgan Archive!
Friday, October 9 @ 10:30pm
Crossings Lexington
117 N Limestone
21+ Only • $5 Cover
Hosted by Uma Jewels & Petty Poussey, featuring Sasha Grant, Cadillac Seville, Latoya Bacall, LaNora Takie, Lady M, and Jenna Jive (performing in honor of Chelsea Pearl),
We are grateful for the support of our sponsors!
Evergreen Community Supports, LLC
Bourne Bookkeeping
Custom LogoWare
Steven Morrissey
Bites of the Bluegrass
The Willow
Check Out Our Featured Performers!
Coffee Date With LGBTQ History
Join FMA at Lussi Brown Coffee Bar for the official pre-party of "Local Legends: A Drag Show Fundraiser"! Come on by, grab coffee or a cocktail, and chat with us to learn more about our organization and some of the wonderful LGBTQ stories that we hold. All are welcome!
Friday, October 9th
From 5pm-7pm
@ Lussi Brown Coffee Bar
No Cover • 21+ only
There will also be a few archival items from Kentucky’s LGBTQ history on display!
Afterwards, head on over to Crossings Lexington for Local Legends: a drag show celebrating Kentucky drag icons, with proceeds benefitting FMA!
NEW Henry Faulkner Mural!
The Faulkner Morgan Archive is excited to announce the creation of a new LGBTQ mural in downtown Lexington, thanks to a partnership with PRHBTN! This new mural will be the first piece of public artwork or landmark in the U.S. dedicated to the life and legacy of Henry Faulkner. The design for the mural was created by Kentucky artists Brian and Sara Turner of Cricket Press. They incorporated a photo of Henry from FMA’s collections, and aspects of his iconic paintings to create this design. Local muralist Wylie Caudill will paint Cricket Press’ design on the wall, with his own added flair.
The mural will be painted between October 9-18
The wall set aside for the mural is right around the corner from the mural of Sweet Evening Breeze, “The Mother of Us All,” by Gaia. That mural was the first piece of public art in Lexington dedicated to an LGBTQ Individual. This mural of Henry Faulkner will be the second. Placing these two murals in close proximity to each other is deeply meaningful as Sweets housed Henry when he was a young, gay man. Together, these murals will speak to their relationship and the incredible impact and legacy that the pair had on Lexington’s LGBTQ community.
This mural was made possible due to generous support from LexArts and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
Join us on Monday, October 12 from 5pm-7pm for a night of live painting, good food, cold beer, and fun hangs!
Come and watch Wylie Caudill working on the mural live! This is a great chance to see artists work in person and meet some of the organizers.
We will be joined by the Olmeda's Food Truck as well as the Country Boy Brewing beer trailer. So come hungry and thirsty! This event is weather dependent and we will update you with any changes!
Boone County Pride Festival
Join us at the 3rd Annual Boone County KY Pride Festival on Sunday Oct. 4 from noon to 4, at Y'Alls Stadium in Florence. Free tickets, 70+ vendors, two stages, a wellness zone, and all ages welcome. We look forward to sharing Kentucky’s LGBTQ History with all of those in attendance!
Guided LGBTQ Walking Tour
w/ FMA & Frontrunners
Sunday, October 11 at 5:30pm
The Bar Complex | 224 E Main St, Lexington, KY
Join FMA and Frontrunners for a free guided walking tour of important sites in downtown Lexington's LGBTQ history!! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We will begin the tour at 224 E Main St. in front of the historic Bar Complex at 4:00pm. We will then go on a roughly 0.75 mile walk that will last roughly 30-45 minutes, ending at the "Mother Of Us All" mural at 161 N Limestone. Throughout the tour, there will be many stops where you will learn more about iconic local queer landmarks! ✨
After the tour, join us for a happy hour at Crossings Lexington 🥂