The Raid on the Ansley Mall Theater

On August 5, 1969, police raided the Ansley Mall Theater in Atlanta during a late-night screening of Andy Warhol’s homoerotic film, Lonesome Cowboys. This event marked a significant moment for the queer community, who had gathered in secret to view the film, as homosexuality was still criminalized in much of the United States. The raid resulted in the arrest of Abby Drew and 70 other patrons, leading to a traumatic experience as they faced public humiliation and the threat of exposure. Abby's anger and fear during the raid highlighted the systemic oppression faced by the LGBTQ+ community at the time, setting the stage for future activism in the Deep South.