The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will be showcasing “Living in Limbo: Lesbian Families in the Deep South,” a modern art exhibit depicting portraits of lesbian couples and families with roots tied to Alabama.
Created and shot by award-winning Birmingham photographer Carolyn Sherer, “Living in Limbo” focuses solely on lesbian couples, a group that is an underrepresented minority in public art displays, Sherer said on her website.
In addition to the portraits, a full-color catalogue, including essays on the topic by author Dr. Ellen Dossett, will accompany the exhibition.
Sherer, a lesbian, created the exhibit to include subjects from a variety of racial, social and economic backgrounds.
In a description of the exhibit provided by the BCRI’s website, it says “Living in Limbo” seeks to confront viewers to “consider their own perceptions and biases about how they define family, equality and community.”
Some LGBT students at the University of Alabama believe Sherer’s exhibit is a positive step in recognizing lesbian families, especially in Alabama.
Lauren Jacobs, a junior majoring in telecommunications and film and president of UA Spectrum, a student group that advocates for LGBT interests, said that it is important for people living in the South to see this exhibit.
“It forces the South to stop talking about LGBTQ+ rights in the abstract and recognize that there are LGBTQ+ people and families that are a part of our communities right in front of them,” Jacobs said. “It’s harder to promote a culture of hatred when you’re looking at someone’s photograph than when you can talk about them in theory.”
Alex Hollinghead, a senior double majoring in philosophy and mathematics and Outreach Chair of Spectrum, said he agrees with Jacob’s opinion.
“LGBT people are considered by many to be antagonistic to family values, and this is used a basis to dismiss their calls for equality,” Hollinghead said. “This sort of exhibit makes it clear that lesbian women want to have families of their own, and it is cruel for society to try to deprive them of their pursuit of happiness.”
Noah Cannon, a freshman majoring in telecommunications and film and social chair for UA Spectrum, said he hopes this exhibit will act as a step toward LGBT inclusivity by the Civil Rights Institute.
“LGBT rights truly are civil rights, and it’s about time they are supported by the museum,” Cannon said.
An opening reception for “Living in Limbo” will be held Friday, March 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until June 11, and admission is free to the public. For more information, visit livinginlimbo.org.
