This month the Indiana Memorial Union will be the next stop for “The Legacy Wall” — a traveling, interactive LGBT history exhibit, according to a press release.
The exhibit, which began its journey in 2015, will arrive Jan. 23 in the East Lounge and stay until Feb. 3. A reception will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 in the East Lounge and be followed by a presentation on the Kinsey institute by local activist Michael Bedwell in the IMU University Club’s President’s Room at 8 p.m.
“During this time of political upheaval and uncertainty, it seems to me that knowing our history as queer people is essential,” said Doug Bauder, director of the LGBTQ+ Culture Center. “‘The Legacy Wall’ will educate and inspire a new generation of students to see that LGBTQ+ individuals have made significant contributions to all aspects of culture, and the display will remind all of us of the need to stand up for our rights as individuals.”
The wall is double-sided and features small biographies of 125 national and international figures, such as founder of the Kinsey Institute Alfred Kinsey and Indiana songwriter Cole Porter.
The wall includes well-known achievements and people, like World War II codebreaker Alan Turing. However, it also includes relatively lesser-known milestones, such as the “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal and the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision, to LGBT equality.
There are QR codes on the wall so visitors can scan them with their phones to access more information about the topics.
Since its creation, the wall has visited Illinois State Library, the University of Illinois-Springfield, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Chicago State University and the National LGBTQ Task Force Creating Change Conference.
“The Legacy Wall is important to the campus community because it allows IU students the opportunity to further educate themselves on the LGBTQ+ movement,” said Charlie Schraw, Union Board member and former director. “My hope for the exhibit is that anyone walking through the East Lounge will take a few minutes out of their day to learn something new about the key figures in the movement.
Cody Thompson
