Main Spotlight: Exploring Birmingham’s Commitment to Equity and Inclusivity

Main Street America–alongside our co-host partners Main Street Alabama and Sweet Home Alabama–is incredibly excited to co-host the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, from May 6-8. In this inaugural article of a three-part series exploring the intersection between this year’s conference themes and community-based initiatives in Birmingham, we are pleased to collaborate with the City of Birmingham’s Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity. Keep reading to learn more about the city’s dedication to creating places for everyone, and their role in fostering a just and equitable Birmingham that is welcoming to all residents and nurtures a sense of belonging for community members of all backgrounds. 

Conference registration is open, with early bird rates available through March 11. Check out the conference website and follow the conference's Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest updates.

Welcome to Birmingham, Alabama, where the warmth of Southern hospitality meets the living legacy of the Civil Rights Movement’s dedication to advancing racial justice and a vibrant tapestry of LGBTQ+ culture. As the cultural landscape of the city transforms, so too does the conversation surrounding strategies to ensure a welcoming, just, and equitable Birmingham for all.  

Dedicated Leadership

At the forefront of Birmingham's work toward inclusivity is Mayor Randall Woodfin. His leadership has been instrumental in implementing policies and initiatives that reflect a commitment to equality for all residents.

A few noteworthy achievements under Mayor Woodfin's administration are the creation of the Mayor's Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity, appointment of an LGBTQ+ Liaison, and the formation of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. This office serves as a cornerstone for addressing issues of discrimination faced by various marginalized communities. By creating a dedicated space for social justice, Mayor Woodfin's office is actively working towards building a more inclusive city.

This office has been instrumental in advocating for and enacting policy change in Birmingham. Birmingham became the first city in Alabama to offer fully inclusive healthcare benefits for our transgender-identifying employees, offer domestic partner benefits, and change all single-occupancy restrooms to gender neutral facilities. A major accomplishment was recognized as Birmingham became the first city in Alabama to offer protections for the LGBTQ+ community through a non-discrimination order.

In addition to structural changes, the City of Birmingham and Mayor Woodfin have been outspoken advocates for recognizing Birmingham’s living human rights legacy. Last year, in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Birmingham Campaign for Civil and Human Rights, the City partnered with local churches, arts organizations, activists, businesses, and nonprofits to launch a special commemorative initiative that consisted of programs, events, workshops, entertainment, and a special poster series. Designed by Office of Public Information graphic designers Marcus Watts and Bre Rudolph, the 12 Forging Justice Commemoration posters supported monthly storytelling themes, provided opportunities for reflection and remembrance, and created vibrant public art keepsakes.

And, on March 18, 2022, in honor of Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth’s 100th birthday and his central role in the Civil Rights Movement and connection to historic sites and events in the city, Mayor Woodfin—in partnership with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Bethel Baptist Church—presided over an event naming the date as Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth Day.

Mayor Woodfin’s public support of LGBTQ+ rights, such as supporting local LGBTQ+ organizations and co-presenting a proclamation for Pride Month, sends a powerful message that resonates not just within the LGBTQ+ community, but across the entire city as a safe space for all residents. By using his platform to champion inclusivity, Mayor Woodfin is shaping a city that values diversity and actively works to dismantle barriers.

Building an Inclusive Community

Beyond city governance, Birmingham is home to organizations and initiatives that play a pivotal role in driving positive change for the city’s diverse communities:

The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument was formed in 2017 to ensure the preservation of the events, stories, and events of the Birmingham Campaign for Civil and Human Rights. In 2022, the City of Birmingham and National Park Service celebrated the monument’s five-year anniversary and the restoration of the historic A.G. Gaston Motel. As the headquarters of the 1963 desegregation campaign, the motel is a key site of the Monument.

Re-envision Linn Park project, a coalition effort led by REV Birmingham—a Main Street program serving downtown Birmingham and Woodlawn neighborhoods—aims to position the downtown park as “a vibrant destination that drives inclusive growth, greater public use, preservation and property reinvestment.” (REVBirmingham.org) Over 1000 individuals have participated in a community input process consisting of three public workshops, focus groups, and online surveys.

Magic City Acceptance Center: (MCAC) stands as a testament to Birmingham's commitment to its LGBTQ+ youth. By providing a safe haven, mentorship programs, and educational resources, MCAC addresses the unique challenges faced by young individuals within the community. MCAC fosters a sense of belonging and support that contributes to the resilience of Birmingham's LGBTQ+ youth.

HRC (Human Rights Campaign) Alabama is a statewide organization that has a significant presence in Birmingham, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights through education, outreach, and legislative efforts. HRC works to create systemic change by influencing policies that protect the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals. Their work extends beyond city limits, contributing to a more inclusive state

Central Alabama Pride organizes Birmingham's annual Pride festival and Pride Parade. They play a crucial role in creating a space for celebration, visibility, and activism. Pride events serve as a rallying point for the LGBTQ+ community and allies, showcasing Birmingham's commitment to diversity and equality.

The T.A.K.E (Transgender. Advocates. Knowledgeable. Empowering) Resource Center was initially conceived as a peer support group for trans women of color to connect and exchange narratives, but it quickly became more than that. Recognizing the need for organized efforts to dismantle barriers and establish benchmarks within the Birmingham community regarding trans-related issues, T.A.K.E embarked on a mission to address pressing concerns, including workplace discrimination, housing advocacy, support for sex workers, the provision of trans-friendly services, and addressing the barriers faced by transgender people of color that were often overlooked by others.

Birmingham also offers multiple inclusive spaces and events that cater to the LGBTQ+ community. From LGBTQ+ bars like Al's on Seventh, The Quest Club, and Our Place, to welcoming spaces like Saturn, Birmingham's nightlife reflects the city's commitment to providing spaces where individuals can express themselves freely and connect with like-minded individuals.

Deepening Commitment

Birmingham has achieved an impressive milestone on the Human Rights Campaign's MEI (Municipal Equality Index), earning a perfect score of 100 percent. This score is a reflection of the city's commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, highlighting policies and practices that create an inclusive environment for everyone. The MEI evaluates cities based on various criteria, including non-discrimination laws, municipal services, law enforcement practices, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. Birmingham's perfect score is not just a number: it symbolizes a city's dedication to fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for diversity.

The City has also adopted policies designed to advance social justice, such as prioritizing violence reduction strategies, including the provision of $2.3 million to support the launch of Alabama’s first hospital-linked violence intervention program and leveraging the city’s 2023 Operating Budget to invest in areas to support prevention, reentry, and enforcement initiatives as ways to address root causes of violence and bolster continuum of care for justice-impacted individuals.

Looking ahead, Birmingham will continue to build on its successes and momentum to become a model city for LGBTQ+ inclusivity and social justice advancement. By fostering open dialogues, strengthening partnerships between community organizations, and championing policies that protect vulnerable communities, Birmingham is poised to set new benchmarks for progress. When you visit Birmingham, you're not just exploring the city's rich history: you're stepping into a community that values diversity, acceptance, and equality.

If you’re interested in learning more about the role that Main Street programs and local governments play in advancing welcoming and belonging in communities, make sure to check out the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, from May 6-8. There you will find ample opportunities to explore this topic through education sessions, mobile workshops, network-building, and more. Registration is now open! Preview the agenda, start planning your visit, and register here >

About the Author

Josh Coleman serves as the Deputy Director, Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity and LGBTQ+ Liaison for the City of Birmingham. He is also the president of Central Alabama Pride, a non-profit 501c3 organization committed to spreading the message of equality throughout Central Alabama, as well as providing educational programs and services to LGBT citizens and allies throughout the state and Southeast region.

Learn more about the City of Birmingham Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity:
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Community Heart & Soul, a Main Street America Allied Member, is this quarter's Main Spotlight advertiser. For more information about the products and services they provide to Main Street organizations, click here >