See Two Exciting LGBTQ History Exhibits from FMA!
OUR EXHIBIT KEEPS TRAVELING!
The Lexington History Museum is proud to host the Faulkner Morgan Archive’s traveling exhibit Queer, Here & Everywhere: The Roots of Kentucky’s LGBTQ History.
On display August 7-September 13, 2025, the panel exhibit highlights key moments and figures in Kentucky’s LGBTQ history—from Sweet Evening Breeze's drag performances in the 1930s to the passage of the Fairness Ordinance in 1999—and celebrates the resilience and contributions of the queer community.
Queer, Here & Everywhere was made possible through a 250Lex Cultural Grant. The exhibit is included with general admission to the Museum.
LEXTalks: Queer, Here, & Everywhere
Please join us on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 6:30 pm!
The Lexington History Museum and the Faulkner Morgan Archive Present: LEXTalks: Queer, Here, & Everywhere Gallery Talk
Josh Porter, Faulkner Morgan Archive's Assistant Executive Director, will discuss the roots of Kentucky's LGBTQ History as part of FMA's traveling exhibit Queer, Here, & Everywhere! This presentation will provide a deeper look into the richness of the queer community, and how our LGBTQ history intersects all of Kentucky history, you just have to look for it.
Advance registration is required:
FREE EVENT - Doors will open at 6:00 PM
Birds of a Feather
Exhibit @ 2nd Story
We are so excited for partner with artist Feather Chiaverini for his exhibition, Birds of a Feather, opening at 2nd Story! The exhibit will showcase Feather’s fiber works alongside materials from the Faulkner Morgan Archive that inspired the work. It will be on display at 2nd Story from September 6 to December 5, 2025.
About The Exhibit
Birds of a Feather features a new body of work that Chiaverini made in response to Lexington’s LGBTQ+ past. In a celebration of queer joy, history, and community, he has recreated costumes and objects inspired by photographs found in the Faulkner Morgan Archive, particularly images showing mermaid tails, showgirl headpieces, and other queer ephemera from pride festivals and old parade floats. Imbued with playfulness and constructed out of materials ranging from ostrich feathers, silicone, athletic mesh, and beads, to braided fabric, neoprene, blankets, and other costuming detritus, Chiaverini’s garments come alive with the energy of theater costume shops and the hurried chaos of last-minute extensions and alterations happening behind the curtain.
Chiaverini envisions this exhibition to be more than a series of objects to be looked at, and invites all viewers to wear his garments. Any body can grow or shrink to fill the role. As an interactive environment, Birds of a Feather not only prompts visitors to think about the transformative labor undertaken by our queer ancestors, but also enables them to experience the same radical joy captured in the archival photographs--the joy that emerges when individuals are allowed to be themselves
OUR NEW GUEST WRITER PROGRAM
The Faulkner Morgan Archive is now welcoming Guest Writers to submit content for our blog! Our blog highlights the wonderful stories of LGBTQ history from both in and out of our collections, and we want to share this platform with students, activists, artists, and other writers from across Kentucky with a passion for LGBTQ history. Below you will find guidelines and recommendations for submitting a piece of writing to be published on www.faulknermorgan.org/blog.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Approx. 500-1,000 words
Primary focus on Kentucky’s LGBTQ History
Include relevant images, captions, and links
Include your name, pronouns, and an email to be included with the article
Include Instagram username if you would like to be tagged on our social media
Send .doc, .pdf, or google doc with all of the previous info to info@faulknermorgan.org
ARTICLE RECOMMENDATIONS
Focus on topics and individuals not already highlighted elsewhere
Especially rural, lesbian, trans, and BIPOC LGBTQ histories in Kentucky.
Make connections between the past and present, emphasizing the relevance of Kentucky’s LGBTQ history
Integrate other disciplines (art, music, science, etc.) with LGBTQ history
Each article will include the following statement at the end of the text:
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Faulkner Morgan Archive.
CELEBRATE BLACK LGBTQ PRIDE
Make sure to come and visit FMA’s booth at the Kentucky Black Pride Festival! Learn all about our collections as well as our exciting schedule of upcoming events celebrating LGBTQ History Month in October! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Pride in the Park @ Woodland Park
Saturday, September 13 from 12pm-7pm