'Living in Limbo: Lesbian Families in the Deep South' Photography Exhibit Opens in Birmingham

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama expands its definition of “civil rights” tonight when it unveils the photo exhibit “Living in Limbo: Lesbian Families in the Deep South.”

Photographer Carolyn Sherer, who calls the exhibit her own coming-out story, says she was inspired to do the project after a lesbian friend whose partner had died encountered resistance from the partner’s family in trying to claim items from the home the two women shared, the Associated Press reports. Given Alabama’s conservatism, Sherer said she expects the exhibit to be controversial but hopes it will also be productive. “We’re hoping to start a conversation about equality for everyone,” she said.

Follow SheWired on Facebook.

Follow SheWired on Twitter.