Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1476674
JANE DARBY (She, Her, Hers) Activist Jane Darby is an LGBTQ+ advocate and was an executive member of previous iterations of Macon pride festivals. While working at AT&T in the early 90s, she co-founded the Atlanta chapter of LEAGUE of AT&T (Lesbian, Bisexual And Gay United Employees). Jane and her wife, Donna Davis, with their commitment service in 1997 at the High Street Unitarian Church, were one of the first same-sex services of their kind in Macon. They were legally married in 2014 in Maryland. MOE DYER (She, Her, Hers) Activist, Medical Professional For several decades, Moe has advocated for LGBTQ+ representation in the local medical community. During the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Moe and other brave women of the local LGBTQ+ community stepped in to care for gay men when medical professionals denied care to HIV-positive individuals. As a nurse on the frontlines, Moe offered emotional support to AIDS patients. Moe sat as a representative for the LBGTQ+ community on the AIDS health committee to help advise on prevention measures and help acknowledge stigma toward the LGBTQ+ community in the local medical field. Moe continues to share her wisdom with medical students to educate them on the gay and lesbian liberation movement and the importance of representation in the medical field amongst medical professionals. CHRISTOPHER HOWARD AND CAREY PICKARD (He, His, Him) Activists, Humanitarians For almost three decades, Christopher and Carey have worked with a wide range of organizations across the sectors of conservation and environment, history and culture, visual and performing arts, education, human services and neighborhood revitalization while supporting nonprofits that contribute significantly to the life of this community. They are also named to the Saloniere 100 as two of the top 100 hosts in the United States. They open their house and garden frequently to bring people from diverse backgrounds together to build and broaden this community. Christopher and Carey have been partners since 2005 and have been married since 2015. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 | maconmagazine.com 69