Georgia CommonsSR 879: Hayward, David; condolences; enduring contributions to the advancement and preservation of LGBTQ+ history and rights in the State of Georgia; recognize
Last action March 3, 2026 · Senate Read and Referred
A Georgia Senate resolution honors the life of David Hayward, an Atlanta LGBTQ+ activist and historian who died at age 76, recognizing his decades of civil rights and historical preservation work.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution is a memorial statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes David Hayward, who moved to Atlanta in 1971 and became an early member of the Georgia Gay Liberation Front and a co-founder of the Atlanta chapter of ACT UP, an AIDS activism group. It notes his participation in Atlanta's first sanctioned Pride march in 1972 and his role co-founding Touching Up Our Roots, an LGBTQ+ history project with a self-guided audio tour of significant Atlanta sites. The resolution formally states that the Senate honors his life and legacy and recognizes his contributions to civil rights and LGBTQ+ history preservation in Georgia. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Hayward's family.
What the bill does
- Formally states that the Georgia Senate honors the life and legacy of David Hayward, an Atlanta LGBTQ+ activist and historian.
- Recognizes his roles as an early member of the Georgia Gay Liberation Front and co-founder of the Atlanta chapter of ACT UP.
- Recognizes his participation in Atlanta's 1972 Pride march and his co-founding of the Touching Up Our Roots history project.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Hayward's family.
Who it affects
This resolution directly names David Hayward's family, who will receive a copy, and the Georgia Senate, which adopts the statement. It also touches Atlanta's LGBTQ+ community and history organizations mentioned in the text, such as the Georgia Gay Liberation Front, ACT UP Atlanta, and Touching Up Our Roots.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or funding effect; it is a symbolic honor. Its main real-world consequence is that Hayward's family will receive an official copy from the Senate, and the state record will reflect his contributions to LGBTQ+ history and civil rights advocacy in Georgia.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses recount Hayward's biography, including his 1971 move to Atlanta and 76 years of life.
- It credits him as an early member of the Georgia Gay Liberation Front and co-founder of the Atlanta chapter of ACT UP.
- It notes his participation in Atlanta's first sanctioned Pride march in 1972 and his co-founding of Touching Up Our Roots.
- The resolving clause states the Senate honors his life and recognizes his contributions to civil rights, LGBTQ+ history preservation, and the state.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available to Hayward's family.
From the bill
“call them forth in the present moment to honor and remember them as you educate the future”
“honor the life and legacy of David Hayward and recognize his extraordinary contributions to the advancement of civil rights, the preservation of LGBTQ+ history, and the betterment of the State of Georgia”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
- Donzella James (D, SD-028)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
Topics
- LGBTQ+ history
- Atlanta activism
- Georgia Senate resolution
- civil rights
- AIDS activism