Centering Liberation, Truth, and Community Power
America is approaching 250 years.
But for many of us, freedom has never been fully realized.
250 Years of Resistance is a month-long project by the Freedom Center for Social Justice that reclaims history, uplifts truth, and centers the voices of those who have always been part of this country’s story, even when they were pushed to the margins.
This is not about static patriotism.
This is about active persistence.
Because the fight for liberty and justice has always been led by those denied it.
We center:
• Intersectionality, especially LGBTQ+ people of color
•Radical inclusion
•Faith-rooted advocacy
•The truth that our communities have always been here
For too long, LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and other marginalized communities have been erased from the narrative of American history. This celebration shifts that narrative.
Our existence is not new. Our resistance is not new. We are part of the foundation of this country.
A Month of Liberation
This campaign unfolds across four weeks, each building on the last to connect past, present, and future leading up to the anniversary of the 250th anniversary of the United States
Revolutionary Roots
Week 1
Reclaiming early history by highlighting gender-expansive people from the 18th and 19th centuries and challenging the idea that LGBTQ+ identity is a modern phenomenon.
Southern Soul
Week 2
Centering North Carolina and the South as a site of radical queer history, lifting up the stories that shaped movements right here in our communities.
Faith & Justice
Week 3
Exploring the deep connection between spirituality and LGBTQ+ liberation, and how faith has fueled movements for justice.
The Next 250
Week 4
Shifting from history to action by uplifting youth voices, examining current legislation, and envisioning the future of resistance.
Events & Experiences
Join us throughout the month as we bring this campaign to life through interactive, educational, and community-centered experiences.
Our History Walk transforms Freedom Park into a living timeline, featuring QR-coded stops that highlight gender-expansive figures from early American history through the 19th century.
This experience challenges the narrative that LGBTQ+ identity is new and instead frames existence itself as an act of resistance.
What if you could check out a person instead of a book? At The Human Library, community elders will share their lived experiences from North Carolina’s queer underground of the 70s and 80s through one-on-one, 15-minute conversations.
This event centers the South as a place of radical history and reminds us that our movements were built here, too.
Join us for a screening of Mama Bears, followed by a powerful panel discussion on Spirituality & Sexuality.
This conversation explores how faith has not only intersected with LGBTQ+ movements, but actively fueled them, challenging dominant narratives and uplifting stories of transformation and advocacy.
Where do we go from here?
This intergenerational roundtable brings together activists under 25 and over 60 to connect history to present-day struggles and future possibilities. Centering youth voices and current legislative fights, this conversation reminds us that the work is not finished.
Beyond the Moment:
Building an Archive
This campaign is more than a series of events. It is the beginning of something lasting.
This page will evolve into a living digital archive, preserving the stories, experiences, and contributions of LGBTQ+ people and people of color who have shaped both this campaign and the broader history of this country.
It will serve as:
A space to uplift community voices
A resource for education and advocacy
A permanent record of resistance, resilience, and impact
Because history deserves to be remembered.
And told truthfully.
Be Part of the Story
This work is rooted in community.
Every event you attend, every story you engage with, every conversation you participate in helps shift culture, build power, and move us closer to justice.
Join us. Learn with us. Build with us.