Experimental Component

The primary objectives of the "Hidden Threads" project were to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals at Mercer University, restore marginalized narratives, and promote greater inclusion within the university community. Specifically, the project aimed to look at the infamous severance the University had with the Georgia Baptist Convention. This took place in 2005-2006 and was due to conflict over the existence and acceptance of LGBTQ+ Mercer students. In my experiential component, these objectives were pursued through interviews, historical research, and advocacy efforts, all while applying the frameworks of social justice to address historical wrongs and work toward a more inclusive and equitable future. We were able to meet our goals by producing tow books. Hidden Threads: Intellect, Diversity & Religious Freedom condensed LGBTQ+ history from the early 1900s to 2024. The Treatment of Us is a collection of all our interviews from faculty, students and alumn, dating from 1990 to 2024. In adddtion to these books we also restored original footage from the student protest that took place on November 18th, 2005 by students to support the LGBT community.  To conduct this project my team worked from September 2023 to Janurary 2025 to completely bring the project to a sucessful close. This acumulated hundreds of hours in research, interviewing and designing. All our efforts can be seen below as well as free to access through Mercer University Archives in Macon, GA.

We followed these objectives:

Challenge Historical Narratives: By researching the history of LGBTQ+ experiences at Mercer and the university's relationship with the Georgia Baptist Convention, the project sought to correct the historical silencing and marginalization of queer individuals. This involved revisiting past policies and incidents that excluded or stigmatized LGBTQ+ students and faculty.

Promote Inclusivity and Diversity: The project aimed to foster a more inclusive environment on campus by highlighting the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ Mercerians. It emphasized the importance of diversifying the narratives surrounding campus life and ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals felt seen, heard, and valued within the university.

Advocate for Social Justice and Equity: Through the use of social justice frameworks—such as equity, inclusion, and historical reparation—the project worked toward addressing the systemic exclusion faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. This included advocating for policy changes, promoting LGBTQ+ visibility, and creating a supportive environment for queer students and faculty.

Document Personal Narratives: The project sought to gather personal stories and testimonies from LGBTQ+ Mercerians from 1990-2024, to better understand their challenges, resilience, and contributions. By centering these lived experiences, the project aimed to restore dignity and respect to those whose voices had been previously marginalized.

Foster Future Social Change: The long-term goal was to use the research and the restored histories to create a lasting impact on the university’s social climate. By raising awareness and promoting understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, the project aimed to contribute to lasting structural and cultural change within Mercer University and beyond.