SR879: SR879 Hayward, David; condolences; enduring contributions to the advancement and preservation of LGBTQ+ history and rights in the State of Georgia; recognize

This resolution is a formal statement from the Georgia Senate honoring David 'Dave' Hayward, who died at age 76. Hayward moved to Atlanta in 1971 and spent more than fifty years involved in LGBTQ+ activism, including early membership in the Georgia Gay Liberation Front and co-founding the Atlanta chapter of ACT UP, a group formed to push for action on the AIDS epidemic. He also took part in Atlanta's first sanctioned Pride march in 1972 and later co-founded Touching Up Our Roots, a project documenting LGBTQ+ historical sites in Atlanta through stories and an audio tour. The resolution states that the Senate recognizes his contributions to civil rights and LGBTQ+ history in Georgia. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Hayward's family. It does not change any Georgia law.

• Formally recognizes and honors the life and legacy of David Hayward, an Atlanta LGBTQ+ activist and historian who died at 76.
• States the Senate's recognition of his contributions to civil rights, LGBTQ+ history preservation, and the state of Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Hayward's family.
• Creates no new law, funding, or penalty, as is typical for a commemorative resolution.

The resolution directly names David Hayward's family, who will receive a copy of it. It also speaks to Georgia's LGBTQ+ community and Atlanta residents connected to the history it describes, though it creates no legal obligations for any group.

The resolution has no legal effect and changes no Georgia law, but it places an official Senate statement on the record honoring a specific individual's activism and historical preservation work, which can carry symbolic and community significance.

• The whereas clauses describe Hayward's biography, including his 1971 move to Atlanta and role in the Georgia Gay Liberation Front and Atlanta ACT UP chapter.
• The resolved clause has the Senate honor his life and recognize his contributions to civil rights and LGBTQ+ history preservation in Georgia.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Hayward's family.

1. 2026-03-03Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)Primary sponsor
• 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)

• LGBTQ+ history
• civil rights
• Atlanta history
• AIDS activism
• commemorative resolution