A free and open to the public event tonight at Charis Books & More in Little Five Points will discuss the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington from a queer perspective.

The discussion takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Charis is located at 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307. The forum is titled, "Queer Community Conversation on the Legacy of the March on Washington."

Charis hosts ‘queer community conversation’ on March on Washington

Bayard Rustin, one of the chief organizers of the March on Washington in 1963, was an openly gay man. Tonight participants will discuss his legacy on the LGBT community. Discussion will also center around lesbian poet and activist Audre Lorde’s organizing and her speaking at the 1983 commemoration of the march.

Facilitators also want to discuss how the 1963 march “shaped and influenced contemporary LGBT activism” and there will be time for attendees to share ideas about how these ideas informs the current LGBT movement.

Those facilitating include: Paulina Helm-Hernandez of Southerners on New Ground (SONG); Monica Simpson of SisterSong; Justin Smith, Doctoral Student at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; and Charles Stephens of Emory University.

Visit www.charisbooksandmore.com for more information.