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100
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550ee6780a8c4d00f3bd1f325519a2ff
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Ashley Swartz
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
58:21
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Ashley Swartz
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_ashleyswartz.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Ashley Swartz</a></em><br /><br />Ms. Ashley Swartz, Nebraska farmer and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 28, 2018, in Malmo, Nebraska. Swartz shared information about her upbringing in Malmo, Nebraska, knowing she was "different" at an early age, her coming out process in the late 1990's, navigating life in Malmo as a trans person, her Christian faith as a source of strength, and her relationship with her children.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Ashley Swartz, born in Wahoo, Nebraska, is a white, pansexual, trans woman, farmer, speaker, educator and LGBTQ+ advocate. Swartz grew up on her family’s farm in Malmo, Nebraska, and graduated from Wahoo’s Bishop Neumann High School in 1980. After graduating, Swartz took over the family’s corn and soybean farm business and has continued to farm the land with her brother for nearly four decades. During this time, she also became a volunteer firefighter in Malmo, a position she has held for more than 30 years. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1996, Swartz started the process of transitioning and got involved with various LGBTQ+ groups, such as Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and River City Gender Alliance (RCGA). Over the last two decades, Swartz has spent much of her time helping to educate others about the trans community. In the late 1990’s, Swartz became involved with PFLAG, working to help the organization address the needs of transgender members and</span><span>,</span><span> for a time, was a member of River City Gender Alliance (RCGA). Swartz has been featured in the </span><i><span>Omaha World-Herald</span></i><span>, shared her story as part of a national ad campaign for the HRC Foundation, traveled throughout Nebraska as part of the ACLU’s Transgender Voices project, and lobbied in Washington, D.C. for the National Center for Transgender Equality. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Swartz lives on her farm in Malmo, but makes frequent trips to Lincoln and Omaha to spend time with her two adult children and granddaughter. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Ashley Swartz, Nebraska farmer and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 28, 2018, in Malmo, Nebraska. Swartz was born in Wahoo, Nebraska in the early 1960’s and grew up on the family farm as one of five children. As a child, Swartz knew as early as three years old that she was “different” than her peers, and she learned to fit in by modeling the mannerisms and behavior of boys. Swartz’s only exposure to transgender people was through harmful and offensive media stereotypes, like the Phil Donahue show.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As an adult, Swartz struggled to understand why everything in her life felt off. After getting married, Swartz entered marriage counseling with her wife, but eventually began to see a team of professionals in Omaha dedicated to helping her understand her gender identity, which included psychologists and an endocrinologist. Swartz began her transition in 1996, went through a divorce, and began to navigate life in Malmo as the only openly trans person, and one of the only transgender farmers in the country. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In the beginning, Swartz received hate mail and threatening phone calls, people stopped at her house to “get a peek” of her, and a local business told her she was not welcome “for her own safety.” Many of Swartz’s meals were drive-thru fast food, because grocery shopping </span><span>usually resulted in being laughed at and taunted by other customers. Despite this, Swartz focused on the small, everyday kindnesses and connections with others in her town, and she is thankful for the increase in support she has received over the years. Things have significantly improved for her since the 1990’s, with her business relationships staying strong and her connection to the community continually evolving. Swartz’s Christian faith has been an important source of strength for her in being true to herself and navigating life as a trans woman in a rural community. As of August 2018, Swartz lives on her farm in Malmo, but makes frequent trips to Lincoln and Omaha to spend time with her two adult children and granddaughter. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Swartz also discusses volunteer firefighting, her relationship with her children, and finding trans-friendly medical care.</span><span> </span></p>
<strong><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW216160024 BCX0" xml:lang="en-us" lang="en-us"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW216160024 BCX0">Interview Notes</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW216160024 BCX0"> <br /><br /></span></strong><span class="EOP SCXW216160024 BCX0">None.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 March 28
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
<span>LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at </span><a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Ashley-Swartz
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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42cb3cad6cca10fe1985f5adca6769a7
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Sue Stroesser
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
1:34:14
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Sue Stroesser
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Audio for this interview is coming soon.</em><br /><br />Ms. Sue Stroesser, therapist and social justice advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on January 27, 2020 in Omaha, Nebraska. Stroesser shared information about her upbringing in Omaha, Nebraska, being a young athlete and meeting other lesbians through sports, attending the New York City Gay Games in 1994, her relationship with wife, Mary, her education and background in social work, and the process of adopting her two sons.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Sue </span><span>Stroesser</span><span>, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is a white, lesbian woman, counselor and social justice advocate. </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> grew up in Omaha as one of six children in a large Catholic family, and attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary, Loveland Elementary, and Arbor Heights Junior High (now Westside Middle School). After graduating from Westside High School in 1980, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> attended Creighton University for one year before transferring to Chadron State College (Chadron, Nebraska) in 1981, where she earned a B.A. in English Literature in 1985.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After brief stints in Los Angeles, California (1988-1989) and San Diego, California (1989-1990), </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> moved to Seattle, Washington in 1990, where she worked various jobs, was involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy work, and represented Seattle’s Women’s Soccer Team at the New York City Gay Games in 1994. After </span><span>being fired</span><span> from a job for her sexuality in 1994, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> began working at Costco and lead a successful campaign to implement domestic partner benefits for employees in 1999. From 2000-2002, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> attended Goddard College (Plainview, Vermont), where she earned an M.A. in Public Policy. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Stroesser</span><span> moved back to Omaha in 2003 with her wife, Mary, to settle down and eventually start a family. In 2007, she earned an M.S. in Community Counseling from the University of </span><span>Nebraska at Omaha</span><span>. After completing her education and becoming a licensed mental health practitioner, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> went on to work as a therapist at Lasting Hope Recovery Center (2008-2009), Methodist Health System (2009-2012), and Community Alliance (2016-2019). From 2014-2016, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> taught classes online as an adjunct at Adams State University (Alamosa, Colorado) in the Counseling Education department, as well as classes in the Human Services program at Metropolitan Community College (Omaha, Nebraska). </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Stroesser</span><span> is a member of the American Counseling Association. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of February 2020, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> lives in Omaha with her wife, Mary, and two sons.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Sue </span><span>Stroesser</span><span>, therapist and social justice advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on January 27, 2020 in Omaha, Nebraska. </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> was born in Omaha, Nebraska in the early 196</span><span>0s</span><span> and grew up as one of six children in a large, Catholic, working-class family. </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary, Loveland Elementary, and Arbor Heights Junior High (now Westside Middle School). </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> had crushes on girls during this time, but did not have the terminology to define her attractions until she was an older adolescent. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>During her years at Westside High School (1976-1980), </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> struggled academically, but found support and connection with her teammates on the girls’ basketball team. There she met her first girlfriend, a fellow teammate, and they maintained a secret romantic relationship throughout high school. </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> knew she had to remain closeted due to the time period, and took male classmates to events like school dances. The stress of hiding her relationship from family and friends, while maintaining a relationship in secrecy, was exhausting.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After graduation, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> attended Creighton University for one year before transferring to Chadron State College (Chadron, Nebraska) in 1981. During her college years, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> played college basketball and continued to find friendship and romantic connection with fellow lesbian teammates. In 1985, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Chadron State College, and moved back to Omaha. That same year </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> met and began dating her future wife, Mary, while they worked together at Valentino’s Pizza.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After brief stints in Los Angeles, California (1988-1989) and San Diego, California (1989-1990), </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> moved to Seattle, Washington in 1990, where she worked various jobs and was involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy work. In Seattle, she found her first truly affirming community, attended her first Pride Parade, and held hands with her wife in public.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In Seattle, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> and her wife, Mary, wanted to meet other lesbians to connect with. As a life-long athlete, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> had typically found other lesbians to connect with in playing sports, so she joined a women’s soccer team. In 1994, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> traveled with her soccer team to the Gay Games in New York City, which fell on the 25</span><span>th</span><span> anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The experience was transformative for </span><span>Stroesser</span><span>.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Two weeks after returning to Seattle from the Gay Games, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> </span><span>was fired</span><span> from her job at a packaging company for being lesbian. That year she began working for Costco, a company where she could be out on the job, and lead a successful campaign to implement domestic partner benefits for employees in 1999.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Stroesser</span><span> decided to continue channeling her own experiences of discrimination into social justice work, and began attending Goddard College (Plainview, Vermont) in 2000, where she earned an M.A. in Public Policy in 2002. That same year in Vermont, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> obtained a civil union with wife, Mary.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Stroesser</span><span> and her wife, Mary, moved back to Omaha in 2003 in the hopes of one day starting a family. In 2007, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> earned an M.S. in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. After completing her education and becoming a licensed mental health practitioner, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> went on to work as a therapist at Lasting Hope Recovery Center (2008-2009), Methodist Health System (2009-2012), and Community Alliance (2016-2019). From 2014-2016, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> taught classes online as an adjunct at Adams State University (Alamosa, Colorado) in the Counseling Education department, as well as classes in the Human Services program at Metropolitan Community College (Omaha, Nebraska).</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, </span><span>Stroesser</span><span> also discusses adopting her two sons, getting married in Iowa in 2009, experiences of discrimination in obtaining identity documentation, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the late </span><span>1990s</span><span>, and the 1980s AIDS crisis.</span><span> </span></p>
<strong><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW175026822 BCX0" xml:lang="en-us" lang="en-us"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW175026822 BCX0">Interview Notes</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW175026822 BCX0"> <br /><br /></span></strong><span class="EOP SCXW175026822 BCX0">None.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2020 January 27
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
<span>LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at </span><a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Oral History
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Sue-Stroesser
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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550ee6780a8c4d00f3bd1f325519a2ff
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Margret Fennell
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
1:06:18
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Margret Fennell
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Audio for this interview is coming soon. </em><br /><br />Ms. Margret Fennell, retired Union Pacific worker and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 9, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Fennell shared information about her upbringing in Gordon and Omaha, Nebraska, her involvement in the Catholic church, early exploration of her gender identity, working for Union Pacific for 30 years, her marriages and children, and being a member of River City Gender Alliance (RCGA).
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Margret Fennell, born in Gordon, Nebraska in the 1930’s, is a white trans woman, retired Union Pacific conductor</span><span>,</span><span> and LGBTQ+ advocate. Fennell grew up as the oldest of six children in rural Gordon and Hyannis, Nebraska, before moving with her family to Omaha at the age of five in 1941. Fennell attended St. Cecilia Grade School (1941-1950) and St. Cecilia Cathedral High School (1950-1954). After graduating in 1954, Fennell briefly worked for Rubin Distributing before entering the Dominican Order as a Lay Brother (1955-1960). Upon realizing this profession was</span><span> </span><span>n</span><span>o</span><span>t suited to her, Fennell worked for Railway Express (1961-1968) before joining Union Pacific (UP) in 1969, where she worked as a </span><span>s</span><span>witchman and </span><span>c</span><span>onductor until her retirement in 1999. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Fennell was one of the founding members of River City Gender Alliance in the late 1980’s, one of the oldest and largest transgender and gender non-conforming support organizations in the country. Fennell is also a long-term member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), where she attends multiple weekly meetings and supports others in their path to recovery. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of December 2019, Fennell lives in Omaha with her wife, Valerie.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Margret Fennell, retired Union Pacific worker and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 9, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Fennell was born in Gordon, Nebraska in 1936 and grew up as the oldest of six children. Fennell’s father Thomas was a businessman and ran a hardware store in Hyannis, Nebraska. Fennell’s mother Helen was a stay-at-home mother who doted on her children. Both of Fennell’s parents were originally from St. Joseph, Missouri. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1941 at the age of five, Fennell’s family moved to Omaha and she began attending St. Cecilia Grade School (1941-1950) and St. Cecilia Cathedral High School (1950-1954). For the most part, Fennell got along with her peers and enjoyed her classes. She was a devout Catholic, altar boy, and pontifical server.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>During her time in grade school, Fennell saw a movie poster at a risqué theater on 14th and Douglas depicting a “half-man, half-woman.” This was her first exposure to any kind of gender-nonconformity. Around 6th or 7th grade, Fennell began sneaking into her mother’s closet when her parents were gone and dressing up in her mother’s clothes, though she had no idea what this meant. In 8th grade, Fennell saw news coverage of early transgender icon Christine Jorgensen, but knew she had to keep her own feelings about her gender identity a secret.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Fennell began dating in high school and would ask her dates to wear nylons, dresses and heals so that she could use their clothes to “dress herself in her mind.” After graduating in 1954, Fennell briefly worked for Rubin Distributing before entering the Dominican Order as a lay brother (1955-1960). During her time as a lay brother, Fennell worked in Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa. Upon realizing this profession was not suited to her, Fennell moved back to Omaha in 1960, began working for Railway Express (1962-1969), and married Leona McGrath, with whom she had four children. After Railway Express went out of business, Fennell joined Union Pacific (UP) in 1969, where she worked as a switchman and conductor both in Omaha and North Platte, Nebraska, until her retirement in 1999.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In her early years at UP, Fennell got sober and joined an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) support group in North Platte, Nebraska. She eventually began attending a </span><span>g</span><span>ay AA group in Omaha, where she was allowed to explore more of her identity and find acceptance from fellow members. In the 1980’s, Fennell went to Omaha’s gay nightclub The Max, where she met and befriended a person who appeared to be</span><span> a</span><span> “man in women’s clothes.” From then on, she began to explore more of her own gender expression, started going out with her friend wearing women’s clothes, and chose to sometimes use the name Margret. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Fennell’s circle of trans and gender non-conforming women continued to grow, and she attended crossdressing conventions put on by Tri-Ess (Society for the Second Self) in Chicago, Illinois and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After this, Fennell and her friends started their own group, River City Gender Alliance (RCGA), and began regularly meeting in motels across Omaha. In the 1990’s, University of Nebraska at Omaha Professor Dr. Meredith Bacon joined RCGA and helped the group grow considerably.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Leona, Fennell’s wife, knew about her wearing women’s clothing, and was not supportive of her identity. After Leona’s passing in the late 1990’s, Fennell met her second wife, Valerie, through Omaha’s Metropolitan Community Church. Valerie was accepting and affirming of her identity as Margret, and they married in 2009.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of December 2019, Fennell lives in Omaha with her wife, Valerie. </span><span> </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Fennell also discusses her relationship with her children Thomas Jr. and </span><span>Madaline</span><span>, and her decision to live as both Tom and Margret.</span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Notes</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>The narrator of this interview is comfortable going by both her chosen name, Margret, and given name, Tom. Because of generational differences and changes in terminology related to gender identity and expression, Margret uses the term crossdresser and trans woman interchangeably. She explained to Luke that she would have lived full-time as Margret if it had been accepted in her generation, but this was not an option.</span><span> </span></p>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 December 9
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
<span>LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at </span><a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Margret-Fennell
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Antonio Jackson
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
53:26
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Antonio Jackson
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_antoniojackson.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Antonio Jackson</a></em><br /><br />Mr. Antonio Jackson, LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on August 1, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Jackson shared information about his upbringing in Omaha, Nebraska, experiencing bullying from peers for being effeminate, coming out to family as a teenager, attending Metropolitan Community College and Purdue University Global, and his relationship with boyfriend, Tyler.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. Antonio Jackson, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is a Black gay man and LGBTQ+ advocate. Jackson grew up in North Omaha’s Hillside Projects and attended Benson High School (1993-1999). </span><span>During high school, </span><span>Jackson worked for </span><span>Baker’s Supermarkets (1996-1999) and after graduation, </span><span>Goodwill Industries (1999-200</span><span>7</span><span>) while periodically taking classes at Metropolitan Community College (MCC). </span><span>While at </span><span>MCC, Jackson was involved with the LGBTQ+ student group on campus, Metro Spectrum.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 2017, Jackson earned his BA in Youth/Family Services and Administration at Purdue University Global, and </span><span>in 2019, began </span><span>working toward his MS in Human Services.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of August 2019, Jackson lives in Omaha with his boyfriend, Tyler.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. Antonio Jackson, LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on August 1, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Jackson was born in Omaha, Nebraska in the early 1980’s to a young, single mother and grew up in the Hillside Projects of North Omaha. Life for Jackson was difficult from a young age, as the small family did not have a lot of money. Jackson attended Boyd, Miller Park and Kellom Elementary Schools, Monroe Middle School, and Benson High School (1993-1999). Jackson struggled in school, as he was bullied by his peers for being feminine or “too soft”, and clashed with his teachers. Jackson’s mother encouraged him to be active, play sports and get involved, but he was not athletic and did not fit in with his peers. Jackson spent time in and out of group homes during his teenage years.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Jackson began to realize he was “different” than his peers between the ages of 5-8, as he was attracted to boys, but was not aware of the term “gay”. At age 14, Jackson came out to his mother and she was accepting of his sexuality, but his father (who was mostly estranged at the time) did not believe he was actually gay.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>During high school, Jackson worked for Baker’s Supermarkets (1996-1999) and after graduation, Goodwill Industries (1999-2007) while periodically taking classes at Metropolitan Community College (MCC). While at MCC, Jackson was involved with the LGBTQ+ student group on campus, Metro Spectrum.</span><span> </span><span>However, Jackson did not feel he fit in within this group, as he was the only Black member. Jackson struggled to fit in anywhere, as he didn’t feel accepted by the Black community because of his sexuality, and the LGBTQ+ community was not as welcoming because of his race. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 2017, Jackson earned his BA in Youth/Family Services and Administration at Purdue University Global, and </span><span>in 2019, began </span><span>working toward his MS in Human Services.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of August 2019, Jackson lives in Omaha with his </span><span>boyfriend</span><span>, Tyler.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Jackson also discusses his pop culture idols, close friendships, his relationship with boyfriend Tyler, and his hopes and dreams for the future.</span><span> </span></p>
<strong><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW193074867 BCX0" xml:lang="en-us" lang="en-us"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW193074867 BCX0">Interview Notes</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW193074867 BCX0"> <br /><br /></span></strong><span class="EOP SCXW193074867 BCX0">None.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 August 1
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Antonio-Jackson
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Donald Callen Freed
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
2:09:36
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Donald Callen Freed
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_donaldcallenfreed.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Donald Callen Freed</a></em><br /><br />Dr. Donald Callen Freed, educator and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on July 31, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Freed shared information about his upbringing in Loomis, Nebraska, experiencing difficulty growing up gay in a small town, his passion for music early in life, exploring his sexuality while attending Nebraska Wesleyan University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, his relationship with his partner of nearly 30 years, and his decades of work as a music educator.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Dr. Donald Callen Freed, born in Holdrege, Nebraska, is a white, gay man, retired educator, musician and LGBTQ+ advocate. Freed grew up on a farm three miles north of Loomis, Nebraska, and attended Loomis Public Schools. In 1970, Freed graduated </span><span>v</span><span>aledictorian from his senior class and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, Nebraska) from 1970-1974, where he earned his BM in Applied Voice and Choral Music Education. Freed continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), where he earned his MM in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy in 1978. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>From 1983-1987, Freed worked as Director of Choral Activities and Instructor of Voice at Peru Stage College, but decided to pursue his education further after encouragement from a mentor. He began a PhD program at UNL in 1987, where he graduated with his doctorate in Vocal Pedagogy and Choral Music Education in 1991. After completing his education, Freed taught at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, as Instructor of Music (1993-2005). In 2005, Freed moved to Alpine, Texas, where he was Head of the Music Program and a Professor of Voice until he retired in 2018. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Freed has published numerous articles, scholarly reviews and compositions, and is </span><span>a</span><span> recipient of the U</span><span>NL </span><span>Distinguished Music Alumni Award and UNL Graduate Student Award.</span><span> He is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Directors Association, College Music Society, River City Mixed Chorus, River’s Edge, University of Nebraska Foundation Burnett Society, and Omaha’s First United Methodist Church. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of August 2019, Freed lives in Omaha, Nebraska. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Dr. Donald Callen Freed, educator and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on July 31, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Freed was born in Holdrege, Nebraska in the early 1950’s and grew up as the oldest of three boys on a farm north of Loomis, Nebraska. His father, Donald William Freed (1925-2005), was a US Army Veteran who fought in the Siege of Bastogne and Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Freed’s mother, Mary Louise Callen Freed (1926-2005), was an archeologist and anthropologist. Both of Freed’s parents were “serious intellectuals</span><span>,</span><span>” introverts and voracious readers.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Growing up in a small town as a “sissy and a smarty” was difficult for Freed, and he was socially ostracized and treated poorly by his peers. He wasn’t aware of his sexuality, as he had never heard the term “gay</span><span>.</span><span>” Freed survived this difficult time by focusing his energy on reading, schoolwork, and extracurricular activities. At age 14, he began piano and voice lessons and threw himself into his music.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Freed’s family was active in the United Methodist Church, which was social justice oriented. At age 16 (1968), he attended Nebraska’s United Methodist Conference at First United Methodist Church in Omaha. There he saw activists and civil rights leaders speak, like Senator Ernie Chambers. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After graduating </span><span>v</span><span>aledictorian from Loomis Public Schools in 1970, Freed attended Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, Nebraska) from 1970-1974, where he earned his BM in Applied Voice and Choral Music Education. During this time, Freed had sexual experiences with other men and visited Lincoln’s hottest cruising spot, the Nebraska State Capitol. However, he still felt these sexual experiences were an “aberration” and shameful. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Freed continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), where he earned his MM in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy in 1978.</span><span> In </span><span>1983</span><span>, </span><span>Freed </span><span>began teaching at Peru State College, where he was Director of Choral Activities and Instructor of Voice (1983-1987). That same year, Freed moved in with a friend, Larry Ebmeier, and the two unexpectedly fell in love. The couple were together for nearly 30 years (1983-2011). For most of his career, Ebmeier worked as a Pharmacist at Bryan East Medical Center in Lincoln. He was also a writer who published four gay novels in the 1980’s, some under the pseudonym Clayton R. Graham. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1987, Freed decided to p</span><span>ursue his education further after encouragement from a mentor. He began a PhD program at UNL in 1987, where he graduated with his doctorate in Vocal Pedagogy and Choral Music Education in 1991.</span><span> That same year, at age 39, Freed finally came out to his parents by bringing Ebmeier home to meet them. They accepted and welcomed Ebmeier into the family.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After completing his education, Freed taught at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, as Instructor of Music (1993-2005). In 2005, Freed </span><span>and his partner </span><span>moved </span><span>together </span><span>to Alpine, Texas, where he was Head of the Music Program and Professor of Voice</span><span>. In 2011, </span><span>Ebmeier</span><span> tragically died in a biking accident near Marfa, Texas. Freed retired in 2018 and moved back to Nebraska.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Freed has published numerous articles, scholarly reviews and compositions, and is </span><span>a</span><span> recipient of the U</span><span>NL </span><span>Distinguished Music Alumni Award and UNL Graduate Student Award.</span><span> He is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Directors Association, College Music Society, River City Mixed Chorus, River’s Edge, University of Nebraska Foundation Burnett Society, and Omaha’s First United Methodist Church. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of August 2019, Freed lives in Omaha, Nebraska.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Freed </span><span>also reads excerpts from books </span><i><span>Farm Boys: Lives of Gay Men from the Rural Midwest</span></i><span> (1996) by Will Fellows, and </span><i><span>How Sex Changed: A History of Transsexuality in the United States</span></i><span> (2004) by Joanne Meyerowitz. He also d</span><span>iscusses his Great Aunt </span><span>Irmis</span><span> Johnson, who interviewed </span><span>transgender celebrity </span><span>Christine Jorgensen</span><span> </span><span>in the 1950’s</span><span>.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Notes</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Trigger warning for discussions of death.</span><span> </span></p>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 July 31
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Donald-Callen-Freed
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Karen Granberg
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
2:10:06
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Karen Granberg
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_karengranberg.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Karen Granberg</a></em><br /><br />Ms. Karen Granberg, psychotherapist and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on July 17, 2019 in Wayne, Nebraska. Granberg shared information about her upbringing in New Sweden, Maine, discovering her bisexuality, her marriage and two daughters, working for more than 30 years as a Licensed Counselor at Wayne State College, advising Wayne State College's LGBTQ+ student group "Pride", and living in a small town as a bisexual woman.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Karen Granberg, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a white, bisexual woman, psychotherapist and LGBTQ+ advocate. Granberg grew up as one of 13 children in the small town of New Sweden, Maine, and attended New Sweden Consolidated School (1956-1965) and Caribou High School (1965-1967). In 1967, Granberg’s family moved to Meriden, Connecticut, where she attended Maloney High School (1967-1969). After graduation, Granberg went on to earn a BS in Psychology and Math from Bethel College </span><span>and Seminary </span><span>(St</span><span>.</span><span> Paul, Minnesota) in 1974, and her M.S.Ed in Counseling from Wayne State College (Wayne, Nebraska) in 1986.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After completing her education, Granberg worked at Wayne State College</span><span> </span><span>as an Adjunct Instructor and Licensed Counselor from 1986-2018. During her time there, Granberg was an essential resource and support to LGBTQ+ students on campus. She helped co-found Wayne State College’s LGBTQ+ student group PRIDE in 1994, where she served as an advisor until 2018. Granberg supported students in hosting panels, educational programming, drag shows and other LGBTQ+ campus events. After her retirement in 2018, Granberg formed Q-Chat, a social group for LGBTQ+ community members in Wayne to connect. Granberg also opened her own private practice at Pearl Street Counseling in Wayne, where she offers part-time counseling services.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Granberg is a member of the American Counseling Association, National Education Association, and received the Dr. Ron Holt Professional Staff Civic Engagement Award in 2018. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of August 2019, Granberg lives in Wayne with her husband, Gordon.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Karen Granberg, psychotherapist and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on July 17, 2019 in Wayne, Nebraska. Granberg was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in the early 1950’s and shortly thereafter moved with her family to New Sweden, Maine, a town of roughly 600 people. There she attended New Sweden Consolidated School (1956-1965) and Caribou High School (1965-1967). As a middle child in a family of 13 children, Granberg was introverted, loved to spend time reading alone, and was very independent from her siblings. Her father, Robert Dischinger, was a minister in the Swedish Baptist Church (Baptist General Conference) while her mother, Virginia Lundholm Dischinger, was a homemaker. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>From a young age, Granberg rejected the strict gender roles and patriarchal hierarchy of the Baptist religion. While other girls in her class were obsessing over their crushes on boys, Granberg was puzzled and uninterested in this behavior. She had attractions to both boys and girls but was </span><span>not </span><span>aware that this was “different” or seen negatively within society. There was no information at the time on sexuality at all, and she had never heard the term “bisexual”. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1967, Granberg’s family moved to Meriden, Connecticut, where she attended Maloney High School (1967-1969). After graduation, Granberg enrolled at Bethel College and Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota</span><span>,</span><span> where she earned her BS in Psychology and Math</span><span> in 1974</span><span>. It was during her time in college that Granberg began to think more about dating and relationships, but only in the context of feeling she wanted to become a wife and mother. The administration at Bethel College sent students the clear message that homosexuality was prohibited at their institution, and this was the first time Granberg realized that her feelings for women were “different” and not socially acceptable. At one point, Granberg was called in to the Dean of Students’ office for </span><span>suspicions of being a homosexual</span><span>, but </span><span>since there was no evidence, </span><span>nothing came of it.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Granberg married Gordon Granberg in 1974 and they moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where Gordon took a job as Pastor at Morningside Baptist Church. During this time, Granberg was a homemaker raising her two daughters, Sara and Erin, and began the process of trying to reconcile her faith and sexuality. In 1981, Granberg moved to Wayne, Nebraska, to begin graduate school at Wayne State College while her husband worked as Pastor at First Baptist Church. This marked another shift for Granberg in figuring out her</span><span> </span><span>sexuality, as she began seeing an affirming therapist, discussed her attractions to women with peers, and read literature on LGBTQ+ topics. She eventually discovered the term “bisexual” and felt this identity fit her best. Granberg came out to her husband sometime in the late 1980’s and he reacted with acceptance and support.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After earning her </span><span>M.S.Ed</span><span> in Counseling from Wayne State College in 1986, Granberg worked at Wayne State College as an Adjunct Instructor and Licensed Counselor from 1986-2018. During her time there, Granberg was an essential, outspoken resource and support to LGBTQ+ students on campus. When First Baptist Church, her husband’s employer, found out Granberg was affirming of LGBTQ+ students, they pressured her to adopt the church’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance. When Granberg did not bend to their will, the conflict could not be resolved, and the American Baptist Church put out a national resolution condemning homosexuality, her husband Gordon formally resigned from his position at the church. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>During her career at </span><span>Wayne State College, Granberg co-founded the LGBTQ+ student group PRIDE in 1994, where she served as an advisor until 2018. Granberg supported students in hosting panels, educational programming, drag shows and other LGBTQ+ campus events. After her retirement in 2018, Granberg formed Q-Chat, a social group for LGBTQ+ community members in Wayne to connect. Granberg also opened her own private practice at Pearl Street Counseling in Wayne, where she offers part-time counseling services.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Granberg is a member of the American Counseling Association, National Education Association, and received the Dr. Ron Holt Professional Staff Civic Engagement Award in 2018. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of August 2019, Granberg lives in Wayne with her husband, Gordon Granberg.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Granberg also discusses the difficulty of living as a married bisexual woman in a small town, her desire to become a therapist and help students, and her daughters Sara and Erin. </span><span> </span></p>
<strong><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW33164957 BCX0" xml:lang="en-us" lang="en-us"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW33164957 BCX0">Interview Notes</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW33164957 BCX0"> <br /><br /></span></strong><span class="EOP SCXW33164957 BCX0">None.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 July 17
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Karen-Granberg
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Aaron Aupperle
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
1:25:13
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Aaron Aupperle
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_aaronaupperle.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Aaron Aupperle</a></em><br /><br />Mr. Aaron Aupperle, conversion therapy survivor and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on May 1, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Aupperle shared information about his upbringing in Lincoln, Nebraska, surviving abuse and bullying as a child, being raised Christ Lutheran Missouri Synod, attending ex-gay ministry Love In Action's residential treatment program, his portrayal in the movie Boy Erased, his work at Lincoln's Bryan East Hospital, and his advocacy to ban conversion therapy.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. Aaron </span><span>Aupperle</span><span>, born in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a white, gay man, LGBTQ+ advocate, and conversion therapy survivor. </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> grew up in Lincoln in the 1970’s and 1980’s, attending Hawthorne </span><span>Elementary</span><span>, </span><span>Lefler</span><span> Middle School, </span><span>and Lincoln High School (1989-1993). After graduating high school, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> took classes at the University of Nebraska</span><span>-</span><span> Lincoln from 1993-1994, Southeast Community College from 2005-2010, and graduated with his BA in Liberal Arts from </span><span>Doane</span><span> College in 2015.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As a child, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> was raised Christ Lutheran Missouri Synod, a conservative religion that considers homosexuality a sin. After coming out to his parents in the early 1990’s and his father’s subsequent death, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> began seeing a Christian counselor at the request of his mother. Additionally, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> found a support group for those struggling with their sexuality, and its leader recommended Love in Action, one of the largest and oldest ex-gay ministries in the world and part of ex-gay umbrella organization Exodus International.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In both 1995 and 1998, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to attend residential gay conversion programs run by Love in Action. During his second stay, a “mock funeral” was staged for </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> after he violated camp rules by having a sexual relationship with a coworker. This traumatic experience was portrayed in the 2018 film </span><i><span>Boy Erased</span></i><span>, based on the memoir by conversion therapy survivor Garrard Conley. In the movie, fictional character “Cameron</span><span>,</span><span>” </span><span>who </span><span>is loosely based on </span><span>Aupperle</span><span>, </span><span>endures </span><span>the mock funeral scene</span><span>, which is</span><span> an exaggerated version of </span><span>Aupperle’s</span><span> real life experience at Love in Action.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Since 2000, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> has worked for Lincoln’s Bryan East Hospital, both as a Radiology Film Librarian (2000-2013) and Distribution Specialist (2013-present). In recent years, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> has used his experience at Love in Action to speak about the harm of conversion therapy and advocate for LGBTQ+ affirming causes. </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> introduced </span><i><span>Boy Erased</span></i><span> at Film Streams </span><span>movie </span><span>theater in Omaha in November 2018, after attending the movie’s premiere a month earlier in New York City. In fall 2018, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> was also featured as a guest on the podcast </span><i><span>UnErased</span></i><i><span>: The History of Conversion Therapy in America</span></i><span>.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In February 2019, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> testified at the Nebraska State Legislature in support of Senator Megan Hunt’s Legislative Bill 167, which aims to restrict conversion therapy in the state. </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> was the keynote speaker for Lincoln Star City Pride’s Stellar Legacy Dinner held in April 2019.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of May 2019, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. Aaron </span><span>Aupperle</span><span>, conversion therapy survivor and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on May 1, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in the mid-1970's and grew up with three older sisters. By the time he entered junior high at </span><span>Lefler</span><span> Middle School, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> knew he was gay</span><span>,</span><span> but did</span><span> </span><span>n</span><span>o</span><span>t have a label for his feelings. </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> was seen as “feminine” by his classmates and was relentlessly bullied during his 8</span><span>th</span><span> grade year. He felt isolated, alone</span><span>,</span><span> and went through a major episode of depression. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>At home, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> dealt with a verbally abusive father and generally unsupportive home atmosphere. Raised in the conservative Christ Lutheran Missouri Synod church, </span><span>Aupperle's</span><span> family considered homosexuality a sin. After his mothered discovered romantic letters from another boy while cleaning his room, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> officially came out to both of his parents in 1993 at age 17. At his mother’s request, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> began seeing a Christian counselor and attending a support group for those struggling with their sexuality. The leader of that group, vocal ex-gay supporter Gordon </span><span>Opp</span><span>, recommended that </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> attend Love in Action, one of the largest and oldest ex-gay ministries in the world and part of ex-gay umbrella organization Exodus International.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In both 1995 and 1998, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to attend residential gay conversion programs run by Love in Action. Not sure what to expect, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> imagined the experience would be more like the MTV reality show </span><i><span>The Real World</span></i><span>. </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> initially agreed to attend the program because of his reckless and sexually compulsive behavior, which he was told was linked to him being gay. He believed that if he was “cured” of his homosexuality, the sex addiction would follow. However, of the five “levels” participants were expected to move through, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> never moved beyond the first.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Aupperle’s</span><span> first experience at the program in 1995 was markedly different than his second, as it was a “transition” year for the organization. When he returned in 1998, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> experienced a nervous breakdown upon entering campus grounds and almost left, but was</span><span> </span><span>coached by</span><span> Executive Director of Love in Action,</span><span> John </span><span>Smid</span><span>, t</span><span>o stay. </span><span>At the</span><span> time</span><span> of his second stay</span><span>, the program was much stricter and </span><span>more </span><span>frightening</span><span> to </span><span>Aupperle</span><span>. During </span><span>this stay,</span><span> a “mock funeral” was staged for </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> after</span><span> it was discovered that</span><span> he violated camp rules by having a sexual relationship with a coworker. Staff made </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> lie on a table while program members delivered eulogies meant to shame and scare him. This traumatic experience was portrayed in the 2018 film </span><i><span>Boy Erased</span></i><span>, based on the memoir by conversion therapy survivor Garrard Conley. </span><span>In the movie, fictional character “Cameron</span><span>,</span><span>” </span><span>who </span><span>is loosely based on </span><span>Aupperle</span><span>, </span><span>endures </span><span>the mock funeral scene</span><span>, which is</span><span> an exaggerated version of </span><span>Aupperle’s</span><span> real life experience at Love in Action.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Since 2000, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> has worked for Lincoln’s Bryan East Hospital, both as a Radiology Film Librarian (2000-2013) and Distribution Specialist (2013-present). In recent years, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> has used his experience at Love in Action to speak about the harm of conversion therapy and advocate for LGBTQ+ affirming causes. </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> introduced </span><i><span>Boy Erased</span></i><span> at Film Streams </span><span>movie </span><span>theater in Omaha in November 2018, after attending the movie’s premiere a month earlier in New York City. In fall of 2018, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> was also featured as a guest </span><span>on the podcast </span><i><span>UnErased</span></i><i><span>: The History of Conversion Therapy in America</span></i><span>.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In February 2019, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> testified at the Nebraska State Legislature in support of Senator Megan Hunt’s Legislative Bill 167, which aims to restrict conversion therapy in the state. </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> was the keynote speaker for Lincoln Star City Pride’s Stellar Legacy Dinner, held in April 2019.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of May 2019, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, </span><span>Aupperle</span><span> also discusses his struggles with self-esteem and shame since his time at Love in Action, his relationship with a former long-term partner, and his dreams for the future.</span><span> </span></p>
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><span></span><br /><br /><span>Trigger warning for domestic violence.</span><br /><br /><span>A cat can be briefly heard in the background.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 May 1
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Aaron-Aupperle
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Ron Holt
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
1:53:17
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Ron Holt
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_ronholt.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Ron Holt</a></em><br /><br />Dr. Ron Holt, psychiatrist and LGBTQ+ educator, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on April 24, 2019 in Wayne, Nebraska. Holt shared information about his upbringing in Omaha, Nebraska, discovering his sexuality early on, attending Wayne State College, meeting his husband, surviving his father's homophobic abuse and death threats, his work as a psychiatrist, and his passion for LGBTQ+ activism.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Dr. Ron Holt, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is a white, gay man, psychiatrist, national speaker, educator and LGBTQ+ activist. Holt grew up in Omaha’s Millard </span><span>area</span><span> and graduated from Millard South High School in 1984. After a brief one-year stint at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, Holt transferred to Wayne State College in 1985, graduating with a BS in Biology and Chemistry in 1989. Holt attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences from 1989-1993, then completed his Residency Program in Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine and California Pacific Medical Center in 1997. </span><span><br /><br /></span><span>After completing his education, Holt worked for Kaiser South San Francisco Medical Center as an attending psychiatrist from 1997-2017. During this time, Holt traveled back to Wayne State College each year to provide educational lectures and workshops on LGBTQ+ issues for students. In 2017, Holt left his position at Kaiser South San Francisco Medical Center to pursue his dream of doing LGBTQ+ advocacy work full-time. The same year, Holt co-authored the book </span><i><span>Pride: You Can’t Heal If You’re Hiding </span></i><i><span>From</span></i><i><span> Yourself </span></i><span>with his husband, Dr. William Huggett. The two have also published numerous LGBTQ-affirming adult coloring books, and in 2018, raised $16,000 to send 6,000 coloring books to 175 non-profit organizations throughout the United States and Canada.<br /><br /></span><span>Holt is a member of the Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists (AGLP), American Psychiatric Association (APA), Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA), and several other professional organizations</span><span>. In the last 20 years, Holt has won numerous awards, such as the David Lawrence Community Service Award (2009), R.J. Erickson Diversity Achievement Award (2010), and the Wayne State College Presidential Award for Diversity (2017).<br /><br /></span><span>As of May 2019, Holt lives in San Francisco with his </span><span>husband,</span><span> William Huggett.</span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Dr. Ron Holt, psychiatrist and LGBTQ+ educator, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on April 24, 2019 in Wayne, Nebraska. Holt was born in Omaha, Nebraska in the mid 1960’s and grew up in the Millard area (</span><span>Roxbury neighborhood</span><span>). By the time he reached 5</span><span>th</span><span> grade at Walt Disney Elementary School, Holt knew he was gay, though he lacked a word for his feelings. He experienced bullying and harassment from other boys, and felt isolated. At home, things weren’t much better, as Holt faced relentless verbal and emotional abuse from his homophobic father. While attending Millard Central Junior High, Holt’s 5-year-old sister died from Leukemia, which devastated the family. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Holt graduated from Millard South High School in 1984, then attended Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska for one year before transferring to Wayne State College (WSC) in order to get further away from his father. As a popular, active student at WSC, Holt was a member of the </span><span>t</span><span>rack and </span><span>f</span><span>ield team and was a dorm </span><span>r</span><span>esident </span><span>a</span><span>ssistant. In 1986, Holt met his long-term partner, William Huggett, through their mutual girlfriends. Huggett was three years ahead of Holt in school, and when Huggett moved to Omaha to attend medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), they maintained a long-distance relationship. However, Holt and Huggett were forced to remain closeted, as Holt knew he had to hide the relationship from his homophobic, abusive father. Huggett and Holt even hid their friendship, only hanging out in surrounding Nebraska towns where no one knew them or could spread rumors about the nature of their relationship.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After graduating in 1989 from Wayne State College with his BS in Biology and Chemistry, Holt attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences </span><span>(KCU) </span><span>from 1989-1993. During his first year there, Holt unexpectedly came out to his father during a heated confrontation. Afterward, Holt’s father began calling and harassing him all hours of the day, seven days a week, with homophobic slurs</span><span>, </span><span>verbal abuse</span><span> and threats to get him expelled from medical school</span><span>.</span><span> Holt’s father then threatened to kill him and his partner, William. Holt immediately called William, who lived in Omaha at the time, and told him that he had to quickly get out of town. William left his class at UNMC, packed a bag and traveled to Kansas City to be with Holt, where they stayed in a hotel room for safety. Holt eventually threatened to file a restraining order against his father, which finally stopped the phone harassment. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Holt was stressed and frightened after his experience with his father, but still managed to move forward in his educational pursuits. He graduated from medical school at KCU in 1993, then completed his Residency Program </span><span>starting at </span><span>Baylor College of Medicine and </span><span>finishing at </span><span>California Pacific Medical Center in 1997. After completing his education, Holt worked for Kaiser South San Francisco Medical Center as an attending psychiatrist from 1997-2017. During this time, Holt traveled back to Wayne State College each year to provide educational lectures and workshops on LGBTQ+ issues for students. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 2017, Holt left his position at Kaiser South San Francisco Medical Center to pursue his dream of doing LGBTQ+ advocacy work full-time. The same year, Holt co-authored the book </span><i><span>Pride: You Can’t Heal If You’re Hiding </span></i><i><span>From</span></i><i><span> Yourself </span></i><span>with his husband, Dr. William Huggett. The two have also published numerous LGBTQ-affirming adult coloring books, and in 2018, raised $16,000 to send 6,000 coloring books to 175 non-profit organizations throughout the United States and Canada. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Holt is a member of the Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists (AGLP), American Psychiatric Association (APA), Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA), and several other professional organizations</span><span>. In the last 20 years, Holt has won numerous awards, such as the David Lawrence Community Service Award (2009), R.J. Erickson Diversity Achievement Award (2010), and the Wayne State College Presidential Award for Diversity (2017). </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of May 2019, Holt lives in San Francisco with his </span><span>husband</span><span>, William Huggett.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Holt also discusses his relationship with his Grandmother Maxine, the journey of healing from his father’s abuse, and why he feels passionate about LGBTQ+ activism.</span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Notes</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Trigger warning for abuse.</span><span> </span></p>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 April 24
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
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UNO-0240_Ron-Holt
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
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English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Emily Borgmann
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
2:39:49
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Emily Borgmann
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_emilyborgmann.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Emily Borgmann</a></em><br /><br />Mx. Emily Borgmann, poet and educator, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 28th, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Borgmann shared information about growing up in small-town Nebraska, being raised in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, experiencing childhood abuse, using reading and writing to cope, their long educational journey, teaching poetry to at-risk youth and coming into their queer identity.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mx. Emily Borgmann, born in Norfolk, Nebraska, is a white, queer, non-binary poet, educator, advocate, instructor in </span><span>C</span><span>reative </span><span>W</span><span>riting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2017-), </span><span>writing c</span><span>onsultant </span><span>(2015-) and adjunct instructor (2019-) </span><span>at Metropolitan Community College</span><span>.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Borgmann</span><span> grew up in the small Nebraska village of Hoskins, later moving at age eight to Norfolk, Nebraska. After graduating from Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School (Waco, Nebraska) in 1999, </span><span>Borgmann</span><span> briefly attended the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, Coe College (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), and Northeast Community College (Norfolk, Nebraska) before settling in Omaha in 2001 to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). </span><span>Borgmann</span><span> graduated with their BFA in Poetry and Fiction from UNO’s Writer’s Workshop in 2014, and their MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry) in 2016. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>From 2013-2018</span><span>, Borgmann created </span><span>and ran </span><span>a community-based writing program at Omaha nonprofit Youth Emergency Services (YES)</span><span>,</span><span> where they t</span><span>aught</span><span> poetry and emotional expression to homeless and at-risk youth. Borgmann </span><span>w</span><span>a</span><span>s a</span><span>lso the organizer, curator, and host for the </span><i><span>Introducing</span></i><span> Reading Series (2015-</span><span>2016</span><span>), a collaboration that pair</span><span>ed</span><span> established writers from UNO’s MFA in Writing program with student-writers in the YES Community Writing Program. In 2016, Borgmann worked as a teaching artist at the Nebraska Writers Collective, where they facilitated creative writing workshops at correctional facilities, schools, and community mental health organizations. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Borgmann’s</span><span> work has been published in numerous literary journals and anthologies, such as </span><i><span>Copper Nickel, The Laurel Review, Green Mountains Review, Salamander, Alligator Juniper</span></i><span>, and </span><i><span>Skidrow</span></i><i><span> Penthouse</span></i><span>. They are the recipient of the Champion of Youth Advocacy Award from Youth Emergency Services, the 2014 Helen W. </span><span>Kenefick</span><span> Prize in Poetry from the Academy of American Poets, and in 2018</span><span> </span><span>received a National Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship in Literature. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of April 2019, </span><span>Borgmann</span><span> resides in Omaha with their partner.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mx</span><span>. Emily </span><span>Borgmann</span><span>, poet and educator, was interviewed by Luke Wegener</span><span> on March 28, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. </span><span>Borgmann</span><span> grew up in the small Nebraska village of Hoskins, later moving at age eight to Norfolk, Nebraska. As a child, </span><span>Borgmann</span><span> grew up with an unstable home life, surrounded by alcoholism and experiencing sexual abuse at a young age, but learned to survive by voraciously reading and writing.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Borgmann had no knowledge or awareness of their queer identity in childhood and adolescence, as being anything other than heterosexual was not an option or “real way of being.” They were raised and educated in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, where they received homophobic messages at school from teachers, and were told that if they ever had a friend who was homosexual and could not “be converted,” they had to cut them out of their life. Borgmann attended Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School (Waco, Nebraska) from 1995-1999, where students could be expelled for the mere suspicion that they were gay. During their teenage years, Borgmann was struggling with heavy drinking, an eating disorder, hallucinations, </span><span>o</span><span>bsessive-compulsive </span><span>dis</span><span>order, and other issues stemming from childhood trauma. Borgmann tried to get sober several times during their teenage years, and by age 20, had successfully quit drinking.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After graduating from high school </span><span>Borgmann</span><span> briefly attended the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, where they experienced psychosis, were hospitalized</span><span>,</span><span> and had to move back home with their parents. They later attended Coe College (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Northeast Community College in 2000, where they met poet Neil Harrison, who encouraged them to pursue writing. </span><span>Borgmann</span><span> moved to Omaha in 2001 to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where they took one class at a time while managing bouts of psychosis and mental health issues. In 2014, they earned their BFA in Poetry and Fiction from UNO’s Writer’s Workshop, and in 2016, their MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry). </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Borgmann had their first relationship with a woman in the early 2000’s, but did not come into their queer identity until their second relationship, where they began to learn more about diverse sexualities and gender identities. They came out to their mother at one point in their first relationship, but she told them that “women can’t have sex</span><span> with each other</span><span>.” They did not discuss their sexuality again. In 2019, Borgmann came out to their friends and community as non-binary.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Borgmann </span><span>works as an </span><span>instructor in Creative Writing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2017-), as well as writing consultant (2015-) and adjunct instructor (2019-) at Metropolitan Community College. From 2013-2018, Borgmann created and ran a community-based writing program at Omaha nonprofit Youth Emergency Services (YES), where they taught poetry and emotional expression to homeless and at-risk youth. Borgmann was also the organizer, curator, and host for the </span><i><span>Introducing</span></i><span> Reading Series (2015-2016), a collaboration that paired established writers from UNO’s MFA in Writing program with student-writers in the YES Community Writing Program. In 2016, Borgmann worked as a teaching artist at the Nebraska Writers Collective, where they facilitated creative writing workshops at correctional facilities, schools, and community mental health organizations. Borgmann is currently working on a memoir about their emotional relationship with their mother and “learning to love via confusion.”</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Borgmann’s</span><span> work has been published in numerous literary journals and anthologies, such as </span><i><span>Copper Nickel, The Laurel Review, Green Mountains Review, Salamander, Alligator Juniper</span></i><span>, and </span><i><span>Skidrow</span></i><i><span> Penthouse</span></i><span>. They are the recipient of the Champion of Youth Advocacy Award from Youth Emergency Services, the 2014 Helen W. </span><span>Kenefick</span><span> Prize in Poetry from the Academy of American Poets, and in 2018 received a National Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship in Literature. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of </span><span>September </span><span>2019, Borgmann resides in Omaha with their partner.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, </span><span>Borgmann</span><span> also discusses their mother’s death, the role of trauma in self-actualization, the importance of education, and their thoughts about being a life-long Nebraskan.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Notes</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Trigger warning for sexual abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, and death.</span><span> </span></p>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 March 28
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604
Format
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mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Emily-Borgmann
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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01f1784f0de6752f02e0b1d109eae51a
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
John Smid
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
3:23:52
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with John Smid
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interview
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_johnsmid.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with John Smid</a></em><br /><br />Mr. John Smid, former Executive Director of ex-gay ministry Love In Action, was interviewed by phone on January 28, 2019, by Luke Wegener. Smid was located in Brookston, Texas, and Wegener in Omaha, Nebraska. Smid shared information about growing up in Omaha in the 1950's in an abusive household, discovering Evangelical Christianity, working at ex-gay ministry Love In Action, his two heterosexual marriages, leaving the ex-gay movement, making amends with those he harmed, and marrying his husband, Larry.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. John Smid, born in Denver, Colorado, is a white, gay man, and former Executive Director of Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action (1990-2008), one of the </span><span>largest</span><span> and oldest ex-gay ministries in the world and part of ex-gay umbrella organization Exodus International. Smid grew up in Omaha in the 1950’s and 1960’s, attending Paddock Road Elementary, Arbor Heights Junior High, and Westside High School (1968-1972). After high school, Smid married and had two children </span><span>with h</span><span>is high school girlfriend</span><span>, </span><span>and worked as a clerk at Union Pacific Railroad (1973-1986). Smid and his wife divorced in 1979, and he lived as an out gay man in Omaha throughout the early 1980’s. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>By the late 1980’s, Smid had suffered a string of failed relationships with men and felt drawn to the teachings of Evangelical Christianity, which was introduced to him by a coworker. In 1987, Smid heard a radio advertisement by Focus on the Family promoting Exodus International’s ex-gay ministry programs, and reached out to the organization. He received a job offer from Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action and that year, packed up his things, quit his job, and moved his life to San Rafael, California, where he worked as a House Manager for the residential program. In 1990, Smid was promoted to Executive Director of Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action, a position he held until 2008. During this time, Smid developed a wealth of new material for the ministry, applying the same language and structure used by chemical dependency programs to their gay conversion therapy. In 2004, Smid created and implemented the Refuge program, which focused on gay conversion therapy for teenagers. The program was discontinued in 2007.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>With growing legal issues, public backlash, and internal battles within Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action, Smid resigned in 2008. This began his journey of finding freedom from the ex-gay movement, starting LGBT-affirming Grace Rivers Ministry, and speaking publicly about the harm of conversion therapy. In 2017, Smid donated the materials from his time at Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action to the </span><span>Mattachine</span><span> Society of Washington, D.C., who passed them on to the National Museum of American History. Smid acted as a consultant on the 2018 movie </span><i><span>Boy Erased</span></i><span>, based on the memoir by conversion therapy survivor Garrard Conley. In the movie, fictional character Viktor Sykes, played by actor and director Joel Edgerton, is based on Smid.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of March 2019, Smid lives in Paris, Texas, with his husband Larry. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. John Smid, former Executive Director of ex-gay ministry Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action, was interviewed by phone on January 28, 2019, by Luke Wegener.</span><span> </span><span>Smid was located in Brookston, Texas, and Wegener in Omaha, Nebraska. Smid was born in Denver, Colorado, in the early 1950’s and by age three had moved to Omaha with his family. Smid’s childhood was difficult and traumatic, as his mother was abusive. In 1965, his parents divorced and Smid was left with his “sociopathic” mother, who eventually remarried a violent, alcoholic man. Despite a tumultuous home life, Smid enjoyed playing with his friends in the Westridge neighborhood, attending Paddock Road Elementary, and spending time with his birth father. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>At age 16 in 1970, Smid moved in with his father in the Benson area, while attending Westside High School </span><span>(1968-1972) </span><span>and working for a transport refrigeration company. During his adolescence, Smid had various crushes on male peers and coworkers, but continued to date girls</span><span>, whose friendship he enjoyed. </span><span>After a particularly painful experience of unrequited love from a male coworker, Smid decided to marry his high school girlfriend</span><span> </span><span>in 1973. That same year, Smid began his job as a clerk at Union Pacific Railroad, where he worked until 1986. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1979, after six years of marriage and the birth of two children, Smid realized he could no longer deny his sexuality and divorced his wife. Over the next several years, Smid lived in a predominantly gay neighborhood off 38</span><span>th</span><span> and Harney and </span><span>dated </span><span>men. </span><span>By the late 1980’s, Smid had suffered a painful string of failed relationships with men and felt drawn to the teachings of Evangelical Christianity, which was introduced to him by a coworker. In 1987, Smid heard a radio advertisement by Focus on the Family promoting Exodus International’s ex-gay ministry programs, and reached out to the organization. He received a job offer from Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action and that year, packed up his things, quit his job, and moved his life to San Rafael, California, where he worked as a House Manager for the residential program. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1988, Smid married his second wife, which “raised up” his status in the ex-gay organization, as heterosexual marriage was seen as a sign of success. However, Smid felt devastated during the </span><span>honeymoon</span><span> </span><span>whe</span><span>n</span><span> he struggled to have sex with his new wife. He felt the marriage was “emotional torture,” but was determined to somehow make it work.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1990, Smid was promoted to Executive Director of Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action, a position he held until 2008. </span><span>During these 18 years, </span><span>Smid</span><span> committed himself to the restrictive rules of the Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action program, which included renouncing and avoiding </span><span>any “False Images,” </span><span>a term used to describe anything</span><span> </span><span>considered a </span><span>temptation of </span><span>the </span><span>“homosexual lifestyle</span><span>.” </span><span>Smid could not listen to any non-Christian music, attend theatre productions, watch </span><span>most movies</span><span>, wear any clothing considered gay, feminine or revealing, and did not allow himself to have close friendships with men.</span><span> </span><span>During </span><span>this time, </span><span>Smid </span><span>also </span><span>developed </span><span>a wealth of </span><span>new </span><span>material</span><span> for the ministry, applying the same language and structure used by chemical dependency programs to their gay conversion </span><span>therapy. </span><span>In 2004, Smid created and implemented the Refuge program, which focused on gay conversion therapy for teenagers. The program was </span><span>discontinued in 2007.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>With growing legal issues, public backlash, and internal battles within Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action, Smid resigned in 2008. This began his journey of finding freedom from the ex-gay movement, starting </span><span>LGBT-affirming G</span><span>race Rivers Ministry, and speaking publicly about the harm of conversion therapy. In 2017, Smid donated the materials from his time at Love </span><span>In</span><span> Action to the </span><span>Mattachine</span><span> Society of Washington, D.C., who passed them on to the National Museum of American History. Smid acted as a consultant on the 2018 movie </span><i><span>Boy Erased</span></i><span>, based on the memoir by conversion therapy survivor Garrard Conley. In the movie, fictional character Viktor Sykes, played by actor and director Joel Edgerton, is based on Smid.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of March 2019, Smid lives in Paris, Texas, with his husband Larry.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Smid also discusses the process of making amends after leaving Love in Action, and his relationship with husband Larry.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Notes</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Trigger warning for domestic violence, abuse, homophobia, suicide, and gay conversion therapy.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>This interview may be </span><span>particularly</span><span> </span><span>difficult </span><span>for some listeners, as it includes frank discussions of the ex-gay organization Love in Action’s </span><span>gay </span><span>conversion therapy</span><span> programs, tactics, and beliefs.</span><span> </span></p>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 January 28
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
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English
Type
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audio
Identifier
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UNO-0240_John-Smid
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
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English
Identifier
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UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Chuck Martens
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
2:03:36
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Chuck Martens
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_chuckmartens.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Chuck Martens</a> </em><br /><br />Mr. Chuck Martens, long-time Omaha LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on January 16, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Martens shared information about growing up on a farm in Shelby, Iowa, studying at the University of Northern Iowa in the late 1960's, almost being drafted for the Vietnam War, exploring gay bars and bathhouses, his serious romantic relationships, the AIDS epidemic, and his early community involvement with organizations like Nebraska AIDS Project, River City Mixed Chorus, GAIN (Gay Awareness Iowa Nebraska), Metropolitan Community Church, and Citizens for Equal Protection.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. Chuck Martens, born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a white, gay man, LGBTQ+ advocate, and one of the founding members of Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) and River City Mixed Chorus. Martens grew up on a farm in Shelby, Iowa, and later attended the University of Northern Iowa (1967-1969) to study Business Education before leaving to pursue other opportunities. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, Martens held various professional roles in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas, including working as a respiratory therapist, overseeing insurance claims and managing several restaurants. After eventually settling in Omaha, Martens is now retired</span><span> while continuing to </span><span>work part-time as </span><span>c</span><span>aretaker for the Lancaster Apartments and acting in local movies and television commercials. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In </span><span>the early 1970’s, Martens </span><span>was </span><span>active in the newly formed Metropolitan Community Church</span><span> of Omaha</span><span>, where he served as a deacon for several years. Later that decade, Martens served on the </span><span>b</span><span>oard of </span><span>d</span><span>irectors for one of the earliest gay rights organizations in Omaha, GAIN (Gay Awareness Iowa Nebraska)</span><span>. I</span><span>n 1984, he became one of the founding members of Nebraska AIDS Project </span><span>(NAP) </span><span>and River City Mixed Chorus</span><span> (RCMC)</span><span>. After the formation of CFEP (Citizens for Equal Protection) in 1990, Martens served on the </span><span>b</span><span>oard of </span><span>d</span><span>irector</span><span>s and helped organize National Coming Out Day </span><span>in Elmwood Park in 1992. In 2016, Martens created Forgotten Omaha, a Facebook group of more than 73,000 users, where he works to “educate and inform members about the history” of Omaha. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of March 2019, Martens lives in Omaha.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. Chuck Martens, longtime Omaha LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on January 16, 2019 in Omaha, Nebraska. Martens was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa in the late 1940’s and grew up as the oldest of three children on a farm in Shelby, Iowa. Martens’ childhood was a difficult time, as he felt isolated and had a violent father, but occupied his time with reading, carpentry, raising purebred sheep, and chores on the farm. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Martens was aware as early as </span><span>k</span><span>indergarten that he was “different</span><span>”</span><span> </span><span>from </span><span>his peers, but did</span><span> </span><span>n</span><span>o</span><span>t understand what it meant to be gay. In high school Martens tried to date girls, but noticed that all the girls he went out with were more masculine looking. During his </span><span>s</span><span>enior year of high school Martens had his first sexual experiences with other boys. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1967, Martens graduated from Shelby-Tennant Community School and left to study Business Education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls, Iowa. During this time Martens sought out counseling at UNI to “cure” himself of his homosexuality, but the counselor instead helped him with self-acceptance. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>While at UNI, Martens struggled with studying and the transition to </span><span>larger</span><span> </span><span>class</span><span> sizes</span><span>, and left in 1969. After his departure, Martens lost his draft deferment and decided to enlist in the Navy. In November 1969, Martens received the call to start basic training and was given only 24 hours to pack and say goodbye to loved ones. Knowing he could not fight in any war, let alone one </span><span>like the Vietnam War that </span><span>he believed was unjust, Martens began panicking as he contemplated fleeing to Canada or attempting suicide. Instead, he came out as gay to the recruiter and was threatened with prison and a $5,000 fine, but was ultimately given an honorable discharge. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Shortly after</span><span> these events</span><span>, </span><span>Martens had his first experience at a gay bar, the Lounge on 5</span><span>th</span><span> Street, which was in the basement of a hotel in downtown Waterloo, Iowa. Later, after a brief stint in Minneapolis, Martens moved home to his parents and came out to them as gay. They were mostly supportive, but still felt shame about his sexuality, and initially believed they had somehow caused him to be gay.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, Martens held various professional roles in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas, including working as a respiratory therapist, overseeing insurance claims and managing several restaurants. Martens also had three serious relationships during this time with Jim (1971-1972), Tom (1973-1980), and Larry (1980-1984), two of whom died from complications related to AIDS in 1992. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In</span><span> </span><span>the early 1970’s, Martens became active in the newly formed Metropolitan Community Church</span><span> of Omaha</span><span>, where he served as a deacon for several years. Later that decade, Martens served on the </span><span>b</span><span>oard of </span><span>d</span><span>irectors for one of the earliest gay rights organizations in Omaha, GAIN (Gay Awareness Iowa Nebraska)</span><span>. I</span><span>n 1984, he became one of the founding members of Nebraska AIDS Project </span><span>(NAP) </span><span>and River City Mixed Chorus</span><span> (RCMC)</span><span>. After the formation of CFEP (Citizens for Equal Protection) in 1990, Martens served on the </span><span>b</span><span>oard of </span><span>d</span><span>irectors and helped organize the </span><span>National Coming Out Day event in Elmwood Park in 1992. In 2016, Martens created Forgotten Omaha, a Facebook group of more than 73,000 users, where he works to “educate and inform members about the history” of Omaha. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of March 2019, Martens lives in Omaha and is retired, but </span><span>continues to </span><span>work part-time as </span><span>c</span><span>aretaker for the Lancaster Apartments and acting in local movies and television commercials. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Martens also discusses the AIDS epidemic, facing discrimination for his sexuality, and Omaha’s former bathhouses, gay bars, tearooms and cruising spots. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Notes</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Trigger warning for death, suicide and anti-gay violence. Interview also includes frank discussions of sex. </span><span> </span></p>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019 January 16
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Chuck Martens
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Rob Gilmer
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
1:49:39
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Rob Gilmer
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_robgilmer.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Rob Gilmer</a></em> <br /><br />Mr. Rob Gilmer, photographer and restaurant owner, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 5, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Gilmer shared information about growing up on a farm in New York, attending the School of Visual Arts in New York City, meeting his long-term partner René Orduña, surviving the AIDS epidemic of the 1980's, opening and running Dixie Quicks restaurant, and Orduña's cancer diagnosis and death.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. Rob Gilmer, born in Huntington, New York, is a white, gay man, photographer and former co-owner of Dixie Quicks restaurant (1996-2018), a popular brunch spot and a favorite of Omaha/Council Bluffs’ LGBTQIA+ community. Gilmer grew up on a farm in Huntington, New York, and later attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City (1982-1986) where he graduated with a BFA in Photography. Throughout the 1980’s, Gilmer worked various jobs, such as bussing tables and checking coats at N</span><span>ew York City</span><span> gay clubs Les </span><span>Mouches</span><span> and The Saint, gardening, and DJing. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After moving to Omaha in 1986 with his partner René </span><span>Orduña</span><span> (1953-2016), Gilmer began his 30-year career working at ENCOR to provide support for those with developmental disabilities. Additionally, Gilmer and </span><span>Orduña</span><span> opened their restaurant Dixie Quicks at 15</span><span>th</span><span> and Dodge in 1996, which featured “a blend of Southern Cooking with Cajun, Tex-Mex and Southwest elements,” and was the first restaurant in Omaha to offer brunch. In 2001, the restaurant moved to 19</span><span>th</span><span> and Leavenworth and opened the adjacent RNG Gallery, where it operated for the next 10 years until moving to its last location in Council Bluffs, Iowa. A highly popular brunch spot, Dixie Quicks was an attraction for politicians and celebrities visiting the area, a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, won 2016’s Restauranteurs of the Year from the Iowa Restaurant Association, and was featured on the fourth season of Food Network’s show </span><i><span>Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives </span></i><span>in 2008. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Orduña</span><span> was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer and died in November 2016. In early 2018, Dixie Quicks and RNG Gallery closed after 22 years in operation. As of March 2019, Gilmer lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Mr. Rob Gilmer, photographer and restaurant owner, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 5, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Gilmer was born in Huntington, New York in the early 1960’s and grew up as the youngest of four children on a </span><span>three-and-a-half acre</span><span> farm. There, Gilmer explored with his friends and had a very unique, liberal upbringing with free-thinking parents. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Gilmer knew he was gay around age four or five, knew that this was “different” and “frowned upon,” but never believed it was wrong himself. When he did eventually come out to his parents, his sexuality was a non-issue. Gilmer moved to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts in 1982, where he graduated with a BFA in Photography in 1986. During this time, he met his long-term partner René </span><span>Orduña</span><span> while working as a disco bus boy at </span><span>N</span><span>ew York City</span><span> gay club Les </span><span>Mouches</span><span>. Their first date was 6 days long, and they moved in together soon after in 1983. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>When the AIDS epidemic began in the 1980’s, Gilmer heard it referred to as “gay cancer” and initially believed it was due to the use of the drug called Poppers. Gilmer and </span><span>Orduña</span><span> lived in the Upper West Village and experienced the gay men around them dying “left and right.” In addition to this, the AIDS epidemic put a spotlight on the already-stigmatized gay community in New York City, and Gilmer witnessed a lot of gay bashing and discrimination. He </span><span>saw</span><span> sick gay men being sent on Greyhound buses back to their homophobic hometowns and families, not knowing if they would survive the ride. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1986 while on a trip to Omaha to attend </span><span>Orduña’s</span><span> brother’s wedding, the couple decided to stay in Nebraska. Gilmer worked various jobs like gardening and DJing</span><span> and </span><span>later began his 30-year career at ENCOR supporting those with developmental disabilities. In 1996, </span><span>Orduña</span><span> left his job waiting tables </span><span>when</span><span> his favorite restaurant, Heaven Sent, closed in North Omaha. Depressed and missing his love of soul food, Gilmer suggested </span><span>Orduña</span><span> start his own restaurant. That year the couple opened Dixie Quicks restaurant on 15</span><span>th</span><span> and Dodge, which featured “a blend of Southern Cooking with Cajun, Tex-Mex and Southwest elements,” and was the first restaurant in Omaha to offer brunch. In 2001, the restaurant moved to 19</span><span>th</span><span> and Leavenworth and opened the adjacent RNG Gallery, where it operated for the next 10 years until moving to its last location in Council Bluffs, Iowa. A highly popular brunch spot, Dixie Quicks was an attraction for politicians and celebrities visiting the area, a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, won 2016’s Restauranteurs of the Year from the Iowa Restaurant Association, and was featured on the fourth season of Food Network’s show </span><i><span>Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives </span></i><span>in 2008.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Orduña</span><span> was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer in September 2016, and Gilmer cared and advocated for him throughout his battle with the disease. </span><span>Orduña</span><span> died in November 2016, and in early 2018, Gilmer closed Dixie Quicks and RNG Gallery after 22 years of operation. As of March 2019, Gilmer lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Gilmer also discusses being raped while hitchhiking at age 17, his time at the School of Visual Arts in </span><span>N</span><span>ew York City</span><span>, and marrying </span><span>Orduña</span><span> in 2011.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Notes</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Trigger warning for </span><span>death, rape and suicide.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>An unexpected event next door can be faintly heard during part of the interview.</span><span> </span></p>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 December 5
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Rob-Gilmer
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Ann Cannon
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
2:23:11
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Ann Cannon
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_anncannon.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Ann Cannon</a></em><br /><br />Ms. Ann Cannon, Omaha business leader and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 4, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Cannon shared information about growing up in a big Catholic family in Omaha, coming out while at Marian High School in the late 1970's, facing homophobia during her three decades in corporate leadership roles, losing her wife and partner of more than 20 years to cancer, and her plans for the future.
<p><b><span>Biographical Sketch</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Ann Cannon, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is a white, lesbian woman, LGBTQ+ advocate, and long-time corporate executive and business leader. Cannon attended Marian High School from 1973-1977, where she played in Nebraska’s first </span><span>g</span><span>irls </span><span>s</span><span>tate </span><span>b</span><span>asketball </span><span>t</span><span>ournament </span><span>in 1977. </span><span>After graduating, Cannon attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney (then known as Kearney State College) on a full-ride athletic scholarship, graduating in 1981 with a BS in Business Administration. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1982, Cannon began her 30+ year career in corporate leadership roles, and has worked for National Cash Register Corporation (1982-1986), Commercial Federal Savings and Loan (1986-1989), First Data Resources (1989-1996), Renaissance Worldwide (1996-2003), Prairie Voice Services (2003-2008), Cable Services Group Systems (2008-2011), and Lincoln Financial Group (2013-2016), holding positions such as Senior Project Manager, Director, Vice President and Senior Vice President. From 2005-2008, Cannon was Board Director of the Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross, and since 2011, has served as Board Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 2016, Cannon retired to spend time with her wife and partner of more than 20 years, Gay Rich (1963-2018), a long-time Senior Vice President at First Data Corporation. Rich passed away in July 2018 after a long battle with cancer.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Ann Cannon, Omaha business leader and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener</span><span> on December 4, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Cannon was born in Omaha, Nebraska in the late 1950’s and grew up as one of seven kids in a large Catholic family. With a father who coached basketball at her elementary school, St Pius X, Cannon was a natural athlete and excelled at sports. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Cannon began to know she was somehow “different” in her later grade school years, but did</span><span> </span><span>n</span><span>o</span><span>t understand what it meant to be gay. By the time she entered 9</span><span>th</span><span> grade at Marian High School, Cannon had realized the full extent of her feelings for girls, and came out to her parents in 1976. Both were accepting and supportive of her being gay, but were concerned about her navigating life as a gay teenager in the 1970’s. Cannon was set up for counseling with Sister Barb Markey at Marian High School, who encouraged Cannon to be true to herself, and told her that she was created in the image of God. These overwhelmingly positive reactions from the adults in Cannon’s life were fundamental to her self-acceptance and success.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Cannon was on Marian's </span><span>v</span><span>arsity </span><span>b</span><span>asketball team throughout high school, and played in Nebraska’s first </span><span>g</span><span>irls </span><span>s</span><span>tate </span><span>b</span><span>asketball </span><span>t</span><span>ournament in 1977. </span><span>After graduating, Cannon attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney (then known as Kearney State College) on a full-ride athletic scholarship, graduating in 1981 with a BS in Business Administration. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 1982, Cannon began her 30+ year career in corporate leadership roles, and has worked for National Cash Register Corporation (1982-1986), Commercial Federal Savings and Loan (1986-1989), First Data Resources (1989-1996), Renaissance Worldwide (1996-2003), Prairie Voice Services (2003-2008), Cable Services Group Systems (2008-2011), and Lincoln Financial Group (2013-2016), holding positions such as Senior Project Manager, Director, Vice President and Senior Vice President. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>During her time in the corporate world, Cannon did not feel accepted or treated equally as a gay woman. As recently as 2013, Cannon was uninvited to </span><span>an event at her company because senior officials did not like that her partner was a woman. She frequently had to use </span><span>gender neutral</span><span> pronouns to avoid others knowing about her sexuality, and she felt lonely as a gay woman in corporate America. Despite this, Cannon persevered and used her natural leadership and teamwork skills to continually move up in her career.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>While working for First Data Corporation in 1993, Cannon met her wife and partner of more than 23 years, Gay Rich (1963-2018), who worked as a long-time Senior Vice President at First Data Corporation throughout the 2000’s. Cannon’s family adored Rich, as she was a great cook, loved sports, attending Creighton </span><span>Blue</span><span>j</span><span>ay</span><span>s</span><span> basketball games, and was an all-around wonderful person. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In 2015, Rich was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment. Because the </span><span>couple were</span><span> not married, Cannon was told she may not be able to see Rich after certain treatments and operations. Cannon was horrified, and the </span><span>couple married shortly after in order to legally protect</span><span> their relationship. After a long battle with Cannon by her side, Rich passed away in July 2018. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Cannon also discusses her Catholic faith, LGBTQ+ media and representation when she was younger, and her plans for the future.</span><span> </span></p>
<strong><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW102600280 BCX0" xml:lang="en-us" lang="en-us"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW102600280 BCX0">Interview Notes</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW102600280 BCX0"> <br /><br /></span></strong><span class="EOP SCXW102600280 BCX0">None</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 December 4
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Ann-Cannon
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Roselle Ledesma
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
2:30:57
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Roselle Ledesma
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Interviews
Oral Histories (document genre)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/uno0240_au_roselleledesma.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Roselle Ledesma</a></em><br /><br />Ms. Roselle Ledesma, Omaha musician and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on November 16, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Ledesma shared information about her upbringing in Bellevue, her early love of drumming, meeting other LGBTQ+ people in the 1990's, playing in numerous local rock bands, her past romantic relationships, and bartending at the Down Under Lounge.
<p><span><strong>Biographical Sketch</strong><br /><br />Ms. Roselle Ledesma, born in San Diego, California, is a Mexican</span><span> </span><span>American, lesbian woman, LGBTQ+ advocate, and long-time Omaha musician. After graduating from Bellevue East High School in 1990, Ledesma studied Studio Art at the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 1990-</span><span>19</span><span>91, but left to pursue music and other endeavors. During the next 15 years, Ledesma did graphic design and editing work for various private photographers around Bellevue and Omaha. In 2014, Ledesma switched career paths and began bartending at the Down Under Lounge in Omaha. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ledesma is a life-long drummer and musician, and has been a well-known performer and multi-instrumentalist within Omaha’s music community since the early 1990’s. Ledesma has played in numerous bands, such as Lavender Couch, Sons and Daughters, Cornel Bitch, Angry Beaver, Me Jane, The Clincher, Red #9, 3</span><span>rd</span><span> and Delaware, Awake & Breathing, Charlotte Sometimes, Damn It Daniel, Minutes to Miles, and was a fill-in drummer for Pleiades and the Bear. Ledesma played drums in the musical performance of </span><i><span>Hedwig and the Angry Inch</span></i><span> at Nebraska AIDS Project’s </span><i><span>Night of a Thousand Stars </span></i><span>and for the play’s award-winning run at Omaha’s Blue Barn Theater in 2004. Lavender Couch, Ledesma’s all-lesbian rock band, opened up for Ani Difranco in a small house show sometime around 1994. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>As of February 2019, Ledesma lives in Omaha with her cats, Bowie and Brody.</span></p>
<p><b><span>Interview Summary</span></b><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ms. Roselle Ledesma, Omaha musician and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on November 16, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Ledesma was born in San Diego, California in the early 1970’s and grew up as the youngest of five kids in a </span><span>Mexican</span><span> </span><span>American family. After moving to Bellevue with her family at a young age, Ledesma was introduced to the drums by her father, a musician himself, and quickly took to the instrument, teaching herself how to play by performing to the radio.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Ledesma was a natural tomboy from a young age and gravitated toward playing with boys. She had early crushes on girls, but was not aware of what it meant to be “gay” at such an early age. While living in Germany from age 10-13 (1982-</span><span>19</span><span>85) as a result of her step-father's military deployment, Ledesma had her first kiss with both a girl and boy, but realized she was more drawn to girls. By age 18, Ledesma was confident enough in her sexuality and decided to start coming out to those in her life. She received acceptance from friends and family at a time when being gay was still not widely accepted. Ledesma’s mother was one of the most supportive and protective forces in her life, and encouraged her to be herself.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>After graduating from Bellevue East High School in 1990, Ledesma studied Studio Art at the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 1990-</span><span>19</span><span>91, but left to pursue music and other endeavors. Ledesma began to meet more LGBT people in her twenties at gay clubs and bars like </span><span>The Run</span><span> (</span><span>also known as the </span><span>Omaha Mining Company), The Max, Connections, The Chesterfield, James Dean, and </span><span>Gilligans</span><span>. During this time, individuals would sometimes wait outside of clubs to harass and attack LGBT people when they left. Ledesma and her friends remained vigilant and protective of each other.</span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Throughout the 1990’s, Ledesma became a </span><span>well-known performer and multi-instrumentalist within Omaha’s music community. Ledesma has played in numerous bands, such as Lavender Couch, Sons and Daughters, Cornel Bitch, Angry Beaver, Me Jane, The Clincher, Red #9, 3</span><span>rd</span><span> and Delaware, Awake & Breathing, Charlotte Sometimes, Damn It Daniel, Minutes to Miles, and was a fill-in drummer for Pleiades and the Bear. Ledesma played drums in the musical performance of </span><i><span>Hedwig and the Angry Inch</span></i><span> at Nebraska AIDS Project’s </span><i><span>Night of a Thousand Stars </span></i><span>and for the play’s award-winning run at Omaha’s Blue Barn Theater in 2004. Lavender Couch, Ledesma’s all-lesbian rock band, opened up for Ani Difranco in a small house show sometime around 1994. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>When not performing with her bands and music projects, Ledesma</span><span> </span><span>provided </span><span>graphic design and editing work for various private photographers around Bellevue and Omaha. In 2014, Ledesma switched career paths and began bartending at the Down Under Lounge in Omaha. As of February 2019, Ledesma lives in Omaha with her cats, Bowie and Brody. </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In this interview, Ledesma also discusses previous abusive relationships, sexism in the music community</span><span>, and h</span><span>er Mexican background</span><span>.</span></p>
<strong>Interview Notes</strong> <br /><br />Trigger warning for domestic violence. <br /><br />A cat can be briefly heard in the background.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 November 16
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Roselle-Ledesma
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Talia Hughes
Samantha Casey
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Lynne Mytty
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:20:38
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Lynne Mytty
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-Lynne-Mytty.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Lynne Mytty</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Lynne Mytty concerning her life as a transgender woman, working in sociology, her involvement with various LGBTQ+ organizations, and major cultural events in relation to LGBTQ+ issues, was conducted by Talia Hughes and Samantha Casey on November 17, 2016. Mytty talked about her journey pre- and post-transition and mental health issues. Lynne Mytty, LGBTQ+ activist and transgender woman, earned her B.A. degree from Midland University, and worked in various positions in management, accounting, and financial advising. She belonged to several groups including the River City Mixed Chorus (RCMC), PFLAG Omaha, River City Gender Alliance (RCGA), Corn this Way, and Eagle Scouts. She was a member of several boards, including church president, Delegate to National Assembly, and a part of the SID board for 18 years. Mytty has been with her wife since 1979, and they have two daughters. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. After this oral history interview was conducted, Lynne Mytty learned that she was born intersex both physically and genetically. She stated in 2018: "This would have explained a lot of what I went through. With my advanced age now, I'm at peace with myself and that is all that I wanted in life." <br /><br />Mytty began the interview by describing her childhood in a diverse community and her defiance of gender norms. She also discussed reading an article about Christine Jorgenson and her transition, and how that article had a long-term impact on Mytty's life. Mytty also detailed her various attempts to transition and reactions and acceptances of those attempts. She also discussed meeting her wife, having their two children, coming out to her family and deciding to transition fully. Mytty later described navigating work life and the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people. Mytty concluded the interview by praising the interview project and stating the importance of recording personal histories.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 November 17
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-lynne-mytty
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Tanea Carter
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Carolyn Fiscus
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:12:55
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Carolyn Fiscus
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-carolyn-fiscus.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Carolyn Fiscus</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Carolyn Fiscus, Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, concerning her life as a lesbian Native America woman, was conducted by Tanea Carter on November 22, 2016. Fiscus spoke about growing up, discovering her sexual identity, her career and family, and how all of these identities intersected. Fiscus, also known as "Big Momma," was a member of the Winnebago tribe of Nebraska. Fiscus completed her bachelor's and master's degrees at South Dakota State University and her doctoral studies at Northern Arizona University. She was heavily involved with her Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) tribe. Fiscus taught in Native American Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She had two children, two grandchildren, and a longtime partner. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. <br /><br />Fiscus began the interview by discussing her career in education and how the school system and students have changed over the years. She then described her early childhood off of the reservation. Fiscus went on to discuss adopting her two children and their impact on her life. She also detailed her status as a recovering alcoholic and alcoholism's involvement during one of the hardest times of her life. Fiscus concluded the interview by discussing the challenges and discrimination she's faced, not for her sexual identity, but as a person of color.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 November 22
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-carolyn-fiscus
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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59f1a03738168d5a51bc9f12db3dad2a
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Terry Sweeney
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:49:57
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Terry Sweeney
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-Terry-Sweeney.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Terry Sweeney</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Terry Sweeney concerning his life as a gay man in Omaha, his partner Patrick Daniel Phalen, and activism in local LGBTQ+ organizations, including the creation of the Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha and The New Voice of Nebraska magazine, was conducted in 2016 by an unidentified UNO student. Terry Sweeney, LGBTQ+ activist, graduated from Omaha North High School and worked various positions in the field of communications. He was involved in many organizations including the Imperial Court of Nebraska (ICON), Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha (MCC-O), U.S. West's employee resource group EAGLE, The New Voice of Nebraska, YMCA, Queer Omaha Archives, and the Inclusive Life Center among many others. Sweeney was with his partner Patrick Daniel Phalen for 40 years, until Phalen's passing on September 8, 2014. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-terry-sweeney
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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74f8cc800c32bc68742a09680f0f3729
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Kelly Crook
Ya'Kieva McCraw
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Nick Newman
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:42:39
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Nick Newman
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-Nick-Newman.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Nick Newman</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Nick Newman concerning growing up as a gay man, coming out to friends and family, his partners, and his experience with AIDS and the AIDS crisis, was conducted by Kelly Crook and Ya'Kieva McCraw on November 12, 2016. Nicholas (Nick) Newman is a Lecturer in Art and Art History at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Newman earned a B.A. degree from Dartmouth College, an M.A. degree in Theory and History of Art and Architecture from the State University of New York-Binghamton, and an M.A. degree in Visual and Cultural Studies from the University of Rochester. He was awarded the Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award from UNO in 2014. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. <br /><br />Newman began the interview by discussing his sexual orientation and the process of coming out to his family and friends. He also detailed the significant romantic relationships in his life, from junior high school into adulthood. Newman then discussed his two former partners and losing them both to the AIDS crisis. He later described his involvement with various LGBTQ groups and organizations. Newman concluded the interview by detailing his hopes for the interview project.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 November 12
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-nick-newman
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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74f8cc800c32bc68742a09680f0f3729
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Angelina Mangiamelli
Jake Teitge
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Lauren Ward
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:23:44
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Lauren Ward
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-lauren-ward.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Lauren Ward</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Lauren Ward concerning her status as a white, gay woman, her experiences in LGBTQ communities in multiple states, her work at the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center at Creighton University, and the issues surrounding the second-parent adoption of her daughter, was conducted by Angelina Mangiamelli and Jake Teitge on November 1, 2016. At the time of the interview, Laruen Ward was the Associate Director of Prevention Education and Inclusion at Creighton University. Ward earned a B.A. degree from Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. degree from Florida Atlantic University. She worked as a lecturer and adjunct professor at several universities and directed and managed many projects related to sexual violence education. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. <br /><br />Ward began the interview describing her early life in New York and initially coming out as bisexual when she was a teenager. She then described coming out fully when attending Penn State and joining an LBTA sorority and connecting with the community. Ward also discussed her experiences with homophobia and gay-bashing while in college. Ward later detailed meeting her wife and some of the stigmas they have faced when asked to explain their marriage and pregnancy. Ward concluded the interview by detailing the struggles of second parent adoption.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 November 17
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-lauren-ward
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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74f8cc800c32bc68742a09680f0f3729
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Kit Sloan
Kylie Boyer
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Michael Gordon
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:06:36
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Michael Gordon
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-michael-gordon.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Michael Gordon</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Michael Gordon concerning his status as a gay man, his reflections on significant LGBTQ milestones, and his involvement with many political campaigns and legislative bills, was conducted by Kit Sloan and Kylie Boyer on November 4, 2016. Gordon was a consultant and LGBTQ+ activist. Gordon earned an A.A. degree from Iowa Western Community College and a B.A. degree from Bellevue University. He participated in several LGBTQ+ organizations such as Citizens for Equal Protection and Equality Federation, and he was the co-founder of the Greater Omaha GLBT Networking Group. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. <br /><br />Gordon began the interview by discussing his childhood and understanding his sexual orientation at an early age. He then detailed moving to Omaha as a young adult and his experiences with the LGBTQ community in town and at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Gordon later described becoming involved with political activism; fighting against the 416 Campaign, lobbying for the Anti-Bullying Bill and the Hospital Visitation Bill, as well as campaigning for various politicians. Gordon went on to discuss the AIDS crisis, same-sex marriage, and the Brandon Teena and Matthew Shepard cases. Gordon concluded the interview by describing changes he would like to see for the LGBTQ community.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 November 4
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-michael-gordon
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Kimberly Maxwell
Nick Finley
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Steve Jackson
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
00:49:59
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Steve Jackson
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Oral Histories (document genre)
Queer Omaha Archives
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-steve-jackson.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Steve Jackson</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Steve Jackson concerning his life growing up as a gay man, his relationships with his friends and family, how his sexuality intersects with race, and his local involvement with the Omaha, Queer, and African American communities, was conducted by Kimberly Maxwell and Nick Finely on November 17, 2016. Jackson was the Program Manager at the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services. Jackson earned a B.A. degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and an M.A. degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Jackson previously worked as a tax consultant and sales associate and was affiliated with several organizations, such as UNMC COPH Alumni Association, Delta Omega COPH Honor Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and the Public Health Association of Nebraska. He received several awards including the NMAC Unsung Hero Award, Joyce Harrison Minority Health Individual Award, and the Public Health Association of Nebraska 2005 Outstanding Student Award. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. <br /><br />Jackson began the interview by discussing his childhood in a religious, African American community. He also described his relationships with various members of his family and the effect of coming out on those relationships. Jackson then discussed his move to Omaha, and meeting his first significant partner and roommate, and caring for him after he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Jackson later met his eventual husband and described instances of discrimination they have faced as an interracial couple. Jackson ended the interview by reflecting on how society has changed and how those changes have had positive effects on the LGBTQ community.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 November 17
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-steve-jackson
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Rick Lopez
Talia Smith
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Daniel Cobos
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:21:32
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Daniel Cobos
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-daniel-cobos.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Daniel Co</a></em></span><span><a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-daniel-cobos.html"><em>bos</em></a><br /><br />An oral history interview with Daniel Cobos concerning his status as a gay, Latino man, his time in the U.S. Air Force, and his career working at an HIV and transgender clinic, was conducted by Rick Lopez and Talia Smith on November 20, 2016. At the time of the interview, Cobos was the Outreach Coordinator for the HIV Team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Cobos attended the University of Texas at Austin, Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He was associated with the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care and received several volunteer service awards from the Nebraska AIDS Project. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. <br /><br />Cobos discussed his first time hearing about HIV as a young college student in the 1980s and how that affected the overall course of his life. He also explained his decision to join the Air Force and the difficulty of navigating both his work life and his personal life. Cobos then discussed his views on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and its later repeal. After leaving the military, Cobos described his time volunteering with the Buddy Program before returning to school to earn his nursing degree. Cobos also discussed the political events of 2016 and its potential impact for him both personally and professionally.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 November 20
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection (Finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>)
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-daniel-cobos
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Kana Skay
Michael Byrne
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Carla Ruiz
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:35:11
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Carla Ruiz
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-carla-ruiz.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Carla Ruiz</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Carla Ruiz concerning her experiences as a transgender woman, acceptance and lack of acceptance from various members of her family, and her experiences as an LGBTQ advocate, was conducted by Kana Skay and Michael Byrne on December 6, 2016. Carla Ruiz, LGBTQ+ activist and crisis counselor, was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ruiz worked several positions in crisis counseling, non-profit organizations, and community outreach. She has been involved with organizations such as the River city Gender Alliance, A La Familia, and Heartland Latino Leadership. The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. <br /><br />Throughout the interview, Ruiz discussed moving to California as a child and her relationships with biological family members as compared to found family members. Ruiz also described her transition experience and living as her authentic self. Ruiz explained how her exposure to the LGBTQ+ community was severely limited in childhood, and her later efforts at rectifying that limited exposure. Ruiz ended the interview by encouraging others to be as open and true to themselves and they can safely be.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 December 6
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Laura Katz
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Bob Darcy
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
00:16:09
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Bob Darcy
Subject
The topic of the resource
Sexual Minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
Queer Omaha Archives
Oral Histories (document genre)
Interviews
Description
An account of the resource
<span><em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240-ji-bob-darcy.html">Introduction to LGBTQ Studies: Interview with Bob Darcy</a></em><br /><br />An oral history interview with Bob (Robert) Darcy concerning his childhood in Marinette, Wisconsin, his time at Yale University, his coming out story, and his experiences of acceptance in different places, was conducted by Laura Katz on October 25, 2016. Bob Darcy, Associate Professor of English at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Darcy earned a B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At the time of the interview, Darcy was the Department Chair of the English Department at UNO. Darcy has received numerous awards for his achievements, including the Faculty Development Fellowship at UNO (2013), the Francis Bacon Foundation Fellowship (2006-2007), and the University Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1999). The interview was conducted as part of a project for Professor Jay Irwin's Fall 2016 Sociology 3700: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies course. <br /><br />Darcy began the interview by describing his early life and high school experiences. He described realizing he was gay and shared his coming out story. He also detailed times that his sexuality may have affected his career and his mostly positive experiences with colleagues and students. Darcy also described the way cultural acceptance of the LGBTQ community varies in different places, specifically his experience of acceptance in Spain, Berlin, and various places in the United States. He concluded the interview by reflecting on significant LGBTQ topics throughout his life.</span>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 October 25
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240-ji-bob-darcy
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Pat Tetreault
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:24:40
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Pat Tetreault
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Pat-Tetreault.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Pat Tetreault</a><br /><br /></em>Dr. Pat<span class="highlight"> Tetreault,</span> LGBTQ+ activist and researcher, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 15, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska.<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>shared information about her upbringing in a Catholic military family, her pansexual identity, her education and research interests, moving to Lincoln to work at UNL, meeting her wife, and becoming the founding director of UNL's LGBTQA+ Resource Center in 2007.<em><br /></em>
<strong>Biographical Sketch<br /><br /></strong>Dr. Pat<span class="highlight"> Tetreault,</span> born in El Paso, Texas in 1956, is the Founding Director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's LGBTQA+ Resource Center and Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Student Affairs. As a long-time LGBTQ+ rights activist, published author, researcher and advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault'</span>s has worked for more than 25 years to support marginalized students.<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>earned a BA in Psychology from University of Texas-El Paso in 1979, and a PhD from Kansas State University in Social Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and Psychology of Women in 1986. After moving to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1987 as a postdoctoral fellow,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>became the Sexuality Education Coordinator for UNL's Health Center for 15 years, from 1992-2007.<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>has won numerous awards for her lifetime of advocacy work, including UNL's Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community (2002), Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Status of Women (1999, 2005), and Sue Tidball Award for Creative Humanity (1997). In the community,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>has been involved with numerous organizations such as Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Lincoln, Lincoln NOW, Angels Theatre Company, KZUM Community Radio, and is a member of Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education (NASPA), College Student Educators International (ACPA), and Consortium of LGBT Resource Professionals in Higher Education.<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>currently resides in Lincoln with her partner of 20 years, Dr. Kristin Grosskopf, and their cat, Pascha.<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Interview Summary<br /><br /></strong><span>Dr. Pat<span class="highlight"> Tetreault,</span> LGBTQ+ activist, author, researcher and survivor advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 15, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska.<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>was born in El Paso, Texas in 1956 to George and Mary Ann<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>and was one of six children. Growing up in a traditionally strict and rule-oriented Catholic military family,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>learned at a young age the benefits and limitations of self-discipline. As a child playing softball,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>developed crushes on other girls but was not aware of her sexuality until much later, as same-sex attraction was a deeply taboo subject both in society and within her church. <br /><br />In high school during the early 1970's,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>rebelled against the punitive and authoritarian structure of Catholic school and her home life, which led to the school attempting to remove her from that National Honor's Society. As a senior,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>was not allowed to speak as Valedictorian, which prevented her from accessing certain scholarships and financial assistance for college. <br /><br />After a semester at Our Lady of the Lake in fall of 1974,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>left and enrolled at the University of Texas-El Paso, where she would earn her BA in Psychology in 1979 and meet her best friend and gay man, Robert. Being exposed more to the LGBTQ+ community throughout the late 1970's, including a trip with Robert in 1978 to San Francisco right before the assassination of Harvey Milk,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>began to come to terms with her bisexual (now pansexual) identity. <br /><br />In 1986, she earned her PhD from Kansas State University in Social Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and Psychology of Women.<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in the UNL Law-Psychology program where she researched the victimization of women and was involved with organizations like Women Against Rape and Voices of Hope. Her partner at the time, Sue Fox-Emrich, moved to Lincoln shortly after to be with her. <br /><br />In 1992,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>became the Sexuality Education Coordinator for UNL's Health Center, where she would work to provide programming and information on sexual health until 2007. From 1989 on,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>was heavily involved with the Committee on GLBT Concerns, fighting to add Gender Identity to UNL's non-discrimination policy, combating discrimination against LGBTQ+ students in ROTC, and working to expand Domestic Partner benefits for LGBTQ+ faculty and staff at UNL (which was finally granted in 2013). <br /><br />With the growing awareness of the needs of LGBTQ+ students,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>became the Founding Director of UNL's LGBTQA+ Resource Center in 2007, where she has tirelessly worked for over a decade to advocate for students and provide education for faculty and staff. <br /><br />In the late 1990's, after nearly 10 years together,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault'</span>s relationship with Sue ended and they stayed best friends. Sue later became diagnosed with COPD and tragically died while being transferred by a medical transport. In 1998,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>met her partner and future wife of 20 years, Dr. Kristin Grosskopf. <br /><br />In this interview,<span class="highlight"> Tetreault </span>also discusses her current relationship with family members, close friendships, and the negative impact of the Trump administration on her work and life.</span>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /><br /></strong>None<strong><br /></strong>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017 December 15
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
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English
Type
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audio
Identifier
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UNO-0240_Pat-Tetreault
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
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UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Tommy Young-Dennis
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:22:37
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Tommy Young-Dennis
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Tommy-Young-Dennis.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Tommy Young-Dennis</a><br /><br /></em>Mr. Tommy Young-Dennis, HIV activist and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on October 12, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Young-Dennis shared information about his upbringing in Omaha, losing his mom at age seven and being raised by his grandmother, connecting with gay men online as a teenager, being diagnosed as HIV+ in 2010 and becoming an advocate for others with the disease, working at Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP), his involvement with community organizations, and his relationship with husband, Desean.<em><br /></em>
<strong>Biographical Sketch<br /><br /></strong>Mr. Tommy Young-Dennis, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is a gay Black man, LGBTQ+ advocate, HIV activist and educator. Young-Dennis studied at Lincoln University (Liberty, Missouri), Metropolitan Community College, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he plans to earn his B.A. in Social Work.<br /><br />After being diagnosed as HIV+ in 2010, Young-Dennis turned his devastation into action. Within three months of his diagnosis, he founded an HIV+ support group for young adults, began volunteering at Nebraska AIDS Project, and dedicated his time to supporting and educating others living with the disease. In 2017, Young-Dennis joined the Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) full-time as their Prevention and Outreach Specialist, where he does onsite testing, connects with community partners, and focuses on providing resources and education to the Black MSM community (Men who have sex with men), a population disproportionately affected by HIV. <br /><br />In addition to his work at NAP, Young-Dennis is the co-chair of the North Omaha Community Care Council’s Youth and Outreach Committee. He is also a founding member of Kingdom Builders Christian Center, where he sings in the choir and is a former board member. In 2018, Young-Dennis was a recipient of the Young Black and Influential Award, a recognition given to outstanding leaders in Omaha’s Black community. Young-Dennis lives in Omaha with his husband, Desean.
<strong>Interview Summary<br /><br /></strong>Mr. Tommy Young-Dennis, HIV activist and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on October 12, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Young-Dennis was born in Omaha in the late 1980’s and has two sisters. At age seven, Young-Dennis lost his mother and was raised by his grandmother, with whom he had a close relationship. Within his family and at school, Young-Dennis was called homophobic slurs for being effeminate, and he knew he was “different,” but did not have the words to describe his identity. In high school, Young-Dennis had his first romantic gay experiences, but kept his sexuality under wraps. Shortly after graduating, Young-Dennis's family members discovered he was gay after he accidentally left a gay chat website open on the family computer. Although not the ideal way to come out, Young-Dennis' grandmother and family accepted him as he was.<br /><br />Young-Dennis worked for First Data Corporation from 2008-2017, moving his way up over the years. In 2010, Young-Dennis had an acne breakout and decided to see a dermatologist, who eventually diagnosed him as being HIV+. Young-Dennis was devastated and almost attempted suicide, but with the support of his loved ones, he managed to turn his grief into action and a passion to help others with HIV. Within just three months of his diagnosis, he founded an HIV+ support group for young adults, began volunteering at Nebraska AIDS Project, and dedicated his time to supporting and educating others living with the disease. <br /><br />An essential part of Young-Dennis' support network was his good friend (now husband), Desean. Young-Dennis and Desean met while they both worked at First Data Corporation, but his diagnosis brought him closer to Desean, transforming their friendship into a romantic relationship. In 2011, they married in Council Bluffs, Iowa. <br /><br />In 2017, after years of volunteer work and community education on HIV, Young-Dennis joined the Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) full-time as their Prevention and Outreach Specialist. In this position, he does onsite testing, connects with community partners, and focuses on providing resources and education to the Black MSM community (Men who have sex with men), a population disproportionately affected by HIV. <br /><br />In addition to his work at NAP, Young-Dennis is the co-chair of the North Omaha Community Care Council’s Youth and Outreach Committee. He is also a founding member of Kingdom Builders Christian Center, where he sings in the choir and is a former board member. In 2018, Young-Dennis was a recipient of the Young Black and Influential Award, a recognition given to outstanding leaders in Omaha’s Black community. Young-Dennis lives in Omaha with his husband, Desean. <br /><br />In this interview, Young-Dennis also discusses his time working at First Data Corporation, living day-to-day with HIV, and the impact of his HIV+ diagnosis on his faith.<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /><br /></strong>Trigger warning for discussion of suicide and death.<strong><br /></strong>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 October 12
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Tommy-Young-Dennis
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Alanna Faison
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:30:25
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Alanna Faison
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Alanna-Faison.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Alanna Faison</a><br /><br /></em>Ms. Alanna Faison, science fiction writer and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on April 2, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Faison shared information about growing up in North Omaha, her early love of sports and writing, coming out at age 15, her parent's evolution in acceptance of her sexuality, meeting and marrying her wife Brittiney, studying Criminal Justice at UNO, working with at-risk youth, and publishing her science fiction novels. <em><br /></em>
<strong>Biographical Sketch<br /><br /></strong>Ms. Alanna Faison, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is a Black lesbian woman, advocate for at-risk youth, LGBTQ+ advocate, and science fiction writer. After graduating from Omaha North High School in 2006, Faison earned her BS in Criminal Justice from UNO in 2010. In 2011, Faison began working as a Juvenile Detention Specialist for the Douglas County Youth Center, where she supports at-risk youth. <br /><br />As a child, Faison was a voracious reader and developed a passion for writing through short stories and poetry, often creating fantastical worlds filled with supernatural elements. After years of writing privately as a hobby, Faison published her first novels, The Unmaking (2014) and Killer Rayne (2015) as part of the Rayne Whitmore series. In 2017, Faison published her third novel, The Edge of Awakening, as part of her new series, Soul Tamer. Faison’s books center LGBTQ+ women of color, a distinctly underrepresented group in fantasy and science fiction literature. As of August 2018, Faison lives in North Omaha with her wife, Brittiney.
<strong>Interview Summary<br /><br /></strong>Ms. Alanna Faison, science fiction writer and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on April 2, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Faison was born in Omaha, Nebraska in the late 1980’s to Allen and Vernita Faison, and grew up in North Omaha as the youngest of three children. As a child, Faison excelled at playing sports like basketball and football, while her father coached sports teams in the community and was a well-known, respected figure. When Faison’s mother wasn’t at work as a nurse, she often read to her daughter, encouraged her to write stories, and was a major force in the development of her passion for literature. <br /><br />Faison attended Omaha North High School (2002-2006), where she took honors classes, participated in student council, played on the varsity basketball team and graduated in the top 10% of her class with a 4.1 GPA. During high school, Faison was mostly unaware of her sexuality until her friends began pointing out that some of the things she said “were gay,” and she came out at age 15. The majority of Faison’s friends were supportive of her identity, and she received many offers for dates from other girls in the school. Growing up in a Baptist family, Faison’s parents initially struggled to accept her sexuality, but over the years have completely evolved in their understanding of her identity.<br />In 2010, Faison earned her BS in Criminal Justice from UNO, with minors in Psychology and Sociology. During her childhood, Faison dreamt of becoming a police officer or FBI agent, but after a shift in her views of law enforcement, she found her passion in working with at-risk youth as a Juvenile Detention Specialist at the Douglas County Youth Center. <br /><br />After years of writing privately as a hobby, Faison published her first novels, The Unmaking (2014) and Killer Rayne (2015) as part of the Rayne Whitmore series. In 2017, Faison published her third novel, The Edge of Awakening, as part of her new series, Soul Tamer. Faison’s books center LGBTQ+ women of color, a distinctly underrepresented group in fantasy and science fiction literature. As of August 2018, Faison lives in North Omaha with her wife, Brittiney.<br /><br />In this interview, Faison also discusses attempts to create an Omaha Black Pride, why she loves working with at-risk youth, her wife Brittiney’s resilience and strength, and the impact of the Trump administration.
<strong>Interview Notes<br /><br /></strong>Trigger warning for domestic violence.<br /><br />TV can be heard faintly in the background in the last quarter of the interview.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 April 2
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Alanna-Faison
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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74f8cc800c32bc68742a09680f0f3729
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Meredith Bacon
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:34:03
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+: Interview with Meredith Bacon
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Meredith-Bacon.html">LGBTQ+: Interview with Meredith Bacon</a><br /><br /></em>Dr. Meredith Bacon, retired UNO Professor of Political Science and LGBTQ+ activist, was interviewed by Dr. Jay Irwin on September 21, 2016, in Omaha, Nebraska. Bacon shared information about growing up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, attending an all-boys boarding school (Pomfret School) in Connecticut, her years at Colorado College and the University of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies, her scholarship in Romanian and Moldovan politics, her relationship with wife Lynne, coming to terms with her gender identity in the late 1990's, and her transition and coming out process in 2005.<em><br /></em>
<strong>Biographical Sketch<br /><br /></strong>Dr. Meredith Bacon, born in New York City in the late 1940’s, is a white, trans woman, UNO Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Nebraska Omaha, LGBTQ+ activist, scholar in Romanian and Moldovan politics, and according to the Omaha World-Herald, is likely the first transgender person in America elected as a college or university faculty leader. Bacon earned a BA in History in 1968 from Colorado College, and a PhD in International Relations in 1976 from the University of Denver. After graduating, Bacon moved to Omaha, where she taught Political Science at UNO for 38 years (1976-2014) and published her 1979 book, Behind Closed Doors: Secret Papers on the Failure of Romanian-Soviet Negotiations, 1931-1932. <br /><br />During her time at UNO, Bacon served three terms as Faculty Senate president (2001, 2004, 2013), won the 2006 College of Arts & Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award, supported organizations like Nebraska AIDS Project and River City Gender Alliance, and served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Center for Transgender Equality, where she lobbied for transgender rights and anti-discrimination laws at the local, state, and federal levels. Each year since 2015, the Dr. Meredith Bacon Lavender Maverick Award is presented at UNO’s Lavender Graduation to an individual with an outstanding history of contributions to the UNO LGBTQIA+ campus community. <br /><br />Bacon married Rev. Deacon Lynne Lazier Bacon (1946-2018) in 1968 and together they were active in Omaha’s All Saints Episcopal Church, where Lynne served as a vocational deacon since 1993. Over the years, the couple housed and supported international students, as well as LGBTQ+ youth who had been rejected from their families. Lynne passed away after a long battle with cancer in August 2018.
<strong>Interview Summary<br /><br /></strong>Dr. Meredith Bacon, retired UNO Professor of Political Science and LGBTQ+ activist, was interviewed by Dr. Jay Irwin on September 21, 2016, in Omaha, Nebraska. Bacon was born in New York City in the late 1940’s and grew up on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. Bacon’s mother worked as the first female securities analyst on Wall Street, and her father was an electrical engineer. As a child, Bacon knew she was different in some way, but didn’t fully understand her identity or have the words to describe it. Bacon struggled with dyslexia during her early school years, but eventually found help from a kind teacher and began to excel academically. <br />After being sexually assaulted by an older boy at around age 12, Bacon’s parents noticed something was off, and sent her away to attend Pomfret School, an upscale, all-boys boarding school in Pomfret, Connecticut. There, Bacon focused on her studies and was active in theater, where she enjoyed playing female characters. At some point during her last year there (or directly after graduation), Bacon discovered Dr. Harry Benjamin’s 1966 book The Transsexual Phenomenon in a New York bookstore, which helped her understand more about her gender identity.<br /><br />From 1964-68, Bacon attended Colorado College, where she majored in History and minored in Theater and Dance. During her time there, she met Lynne Lazier through their studies in French, and they married shortly after graduation in 1968. The couple stayed in Colorado, where Lynne taught high school French, and Bacon began her PhD at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of International Studies. From 1971-1972, the couple lived in Romania, where Lynne was a Fulbright-Hayes Scholar. On a trip to Paris in 1972, Bacon revealed to Lynne her feelings about her gender identity, and they agreed not to speak of it again. In 1976, Bacon graduated with her PhD in International Relations from the University of Denver, and accepted a position at UNO, where she would teach for the next 38 years. That year, Lynne also began her 31-year career at Creighton Prep teaching French and Spanish.<br /><br />In the late 1990’s, Bacon began to see a therapist at UNMC because she was depressed and suicidal, and from there she began taking steps forward in finding peace with her gender identity. She was prescribed low-dose hormones, but saw no significant changes in her body. Bacon’s “turning point” was in 2004 at the Southern Comfort conference, where she wore women’s clothing in public for the first time, with the encouragement of trans friends. In 2005, Bacon began her transition and the process of publicly coming out to her colleagues at UNO, Lynne’s Creighton Prep colleagues, at All Saints Episcopal Church, and in her community. Bacon’s coming out was covered by publications like the Omaha World-Herald, People Magazine, and the Daily Nebraskan. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Bacon is likely the first transgender person in America elected as a college or university faculty leader.<br /><br />In this interview, Bacon also discusses growing up around powerful people in NYC’s theater scene, her research on the trans community, the “rescue” of a gay UNO student from University Village campus housing, and her battle with the Nebraska Attorney General to retain the legality of her marriage to Lynne.<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /></strong><br />Trigger warning for sexual assault.<br />Audio can be difficult to hear at times due to poor quality and filtering of recording device.<strong><br /></strong>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 September 21
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Meredith-Bacon
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Destiny Sturdivant
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:12:06
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Destiny Sturdivant
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Destiny-Sturdivant.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Destiny Sturdivant</a><br /><br /></em>Ms. Destiny Sturdivant, Omaha comedian and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on September 20, 2018 in Papillion-La Vista, Nebraska. Sturdivant shared information about growing up with cerebral palsy, experiencing bullying as a child, the evolution of her queer identity, her mother's death in 2011, her stand-up comedy career and experiences as part of the Badland Girls, her relationships with her sisters and grandmother, and her partner, Em. <br /><em><br /></em>
<strong>Biographical Sketch<br /><br /></strong>Ms. Destiny Sturdivant, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is a Black queer woman, comedian, LGBTQ+ advocate, and one-half of the OEAA-winning comedy songwriting/podcast duo, the Badland Girls. Sturdivant studied American Literature and Secondary Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 2005-2012, and left in 2012 to focus on other endeavors.<br /><br />After her mother passed away in 2011, Sturdivant began performing stand-up at OK Party Comedy shows, and became a regular fixture on the Omaha comedy scene. As a queer, disabled woman of color within a scene of mostly straight white men, Sturdivant’s clever, subversive humor challenged the status quo of Omaha comedy.<br /><br />In 2012, Sturdivant joined together with Rhea Dowhower to form the Badland Girls, one-part “junk culture” podcast, one-part “whimsical, comedic acoustic pop duo,” as described by Hear Nebraska. In their podcast the Badland Girls tackle challenging social issues and deconstruct pop culture, while their musical performances include irreverent, feminist songs inspired by queer icons like John Waters. The duo opened for Lucy Dacus in 2016, and has performed at numerous events, such as BFF Femme Fest, No Means No Fest, Women’s Center for Advancement, on Hear Nebraska FM radio, Alamo Drafthouse, and a PG-rated version of their songs at Shakespeare on the Green and at the Gretna Library. In 2016, the Badland Girls won Best Comedy Ensemble at the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards. <br /><br />When she isn’t doing stand-up or performing as part of the Badland Girls, Sturdivant works a 9-5 office job, and is a member of Omaha’s Democratic Socialists of America. Sturdivant lives in Papillion-La Vista with her partner, Em.
<strong>Interview Summary<br /><br /></strong>Ms. Destiny Sturdivant, Omaha comedian and LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on September 20, 2018, in Papillion-La Vista, Nebraska. Sturdivant was born in Omaha in the mid-1980's and is the oldest of three girls. As a child, Sturdivant grew up attending various Catholic schools throughout Ralston and North Omaha. She experienced frequent bullying due to having cerebral palsy and often being one of the only Black students in her school. When she was seven, Sturdivant’s parents divorced and she was then raised by her mother, Amanda.<br /><br />Sturdivant had crushes on girls as early as second grade, but didn’t realize being gay was an option until she saw a gay person on MTV’s The Real World at age 13. By the time she was in 8th grade, Sturdivant was out as bisexual to most of her school friends. She remained closeted to her family as they had homophobic views. Sturdivant attended Omaha North High School from 2000-2004, and began connecting online with other LGBTQ+ people through websites like Ourchart (now Autostraddle) and Livejournal. In 2005, Sturdivant received the Goodrich Scholarship and began classes at UNO where she studied American Literature before switching to Secondary Education. <br /><br />In 2011, Sturdivant’s mother died from a rare and rapid form of breast cancer. Needing an outlet to express herself, Sturdivant turned to her lifelong love of comedy as a way to cope with grief. Sturdivant began performing at various local shows along with OK Party Comedy, and became a regular fixture on the Omaha comedy scene. As a queer, disabled woman of color within a scene of mostly straight white men, Sturdivant’s clever, subversive humor challenged the status quo of Omaha comedy. Sturdivant discussed topics like feminism, racism, misogyny, life, death, and the absurdity of being alive. Sturdivant once made a male audience member faint while talking about her menstrual cup, a moment she is proud of.<br /><br />In 2012, Sturdivant joined together with Rhea Dowhower to form the Badland Girls, one-part “junk culture” podcast, one-part “whimsical, comedic acoustic pop duo,” as described by Hear Nebraska. In their podcast the Badland Girls tackle challenging social issues and deconstruct pop culture, while their musical performances include feminist, irreverently filthy songs inspired by queer icons like John Waters. The duo opened for Lucy Dacus in 2016, and has performed at numerous events, such as BFF Femme Fest, No Means No Fest, Women’s Center for Advancement, on Hear Nebraska FM radio, Alamo Drafthouse, and a PG-rated version of their songs at Shakespeare on the Green and at the Gretna Library. In 2016, the Badland Girls won Best Comedy Ensemble at the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards. <br /><br />When she isn’t doing stand-up or performing as part of the Badland Girls, Sturdivant works a 9-5 office job, and is a member of Omaha’s Democratic Socialists of America. Sturdivant lives in Papillion-La Vista with her partner, Em.<br /><br />In this interview, Sturdivant also discusses struggling with inadequate resources and medical care for her cerebral palsy, the wider Omaha comedy scene, her relationships with her grandmother, two sisters and nephews, and her thoughts on the Trump administration.
<strong>Interview Notes<br /><br /></strong>Trigger warning for discussions of death. Interview also contains profanity and cursing.<br />The dynamic of this interview was heavily influenced by the fact that Destiny and Luke are friends. Destiny’s strong sense of humor is present throughout.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 September 20
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Destiny-Sturdivant
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Cami Cavanaugh-Rawlings
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:55:29
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Cami Cavanaugh-Rawlings
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Cami-Cavanaugh-Rawlings.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Cami Cavanaugh-Rawlings</a><br /><br /></em><em><br /></em>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 September 14
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Cami-Cavanaugh-Rawlings
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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28afce85c518935cddb5d5bf32301eba
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Interviewee
The person(s) being interviewed
Ferial Pearson
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:25:29
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Ferial Pearson
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Ferial-Pearson.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Ferial Pearson</a><br /><br /></em>Dr. Ferial Pearson, Omaha educator and activist, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on April 11, 2018, in Ralston, Nebraska. Pearson shared information about her upbringing in Nairobi, Kenya, her young queer identity and attraction to gender subversion, immigrating to the United States for college, teaching and advising at Omaha South and Ralston High Schools, creating the Secret Kindness Agents Project, and her experiences of racism and Islamophobia within Ralston and the LGBTQ+ community.<em><br /></em>
<strong>Biographical Sketch<br /><br /></strong>Dr. Ferial Pearson, born in Nairobi, Kenya, is a queer, Muslim, Indian-African immigrant woman, first-generation college graduate, educator, community activist, speaker, writer, and creator of the internationally-recognized Secret Kindness Agents Project. Pearson earned a BA in Language Arts Teaching from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2001, an MS in Urban Instruction from UNO in 2009, and an Ed.D from UNO in 2017. <br /><br />After graduating from college in St. Peter, Minnesota and moving to Omaha in 2001, Pearson taught English at Omaha South High School for 10 years (2001-2011), while advocating for LGBTQ+ students and serving as sponsor for Omaha South’s Gay Straight Alliance Club and Unity Club. Her work then continued as a Talent Advisor for the Avenue Scholars Foundation at Ralston High School for 2 years (2011-2013). During her work at Ralston High School, Pearson founded the Secret Kindness Agents Project, a now internationally-recognized program in K-16 schools that aims to deepen student’s understanding of empathy and compassion through small acts of anonymous, intentional kindness. The project is the subject of Pearson’s TEDxOmaha Talk (2014), and her published book, The Secret Kindness Agents: How Small Acts of Kindness Really Can Change the World. The project has also been featured by Hallmark, Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance magazine, and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.<br /><br />In 2013, Pearson became an Instructor at UNO’s College of Education, while also providing workshops, trainings, mentorship, educational consulting and coaching within the community. In 2018, Pearson was promoted to Assistant Professor in UNO’s College of Education. Pearson is co-founder and leader of Open Arms Transgender Support group, and is one of the original organizers of Omaha’s Tom Mahony Pride Prom for LGBTQ+ youth.<br /><br />Pearson’s tireless advocacy and passion for inclusion has led to numerous awards and widespread national recognition. Pearson has been the recipient of GLSEN’s Educator of the Year Respect Award (2011), RESPECT’s Anti-Bullying Award (2011), National Educator Association’s Virginia Uribe Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights (2012), UNO College of Education’s Promising Professional Award (2012), Steven Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award from The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (2016), and was honored as one of the Omaha Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Omahans (2015). Pearson lives in Ralston, Nebraska with her husband Daniel and two children.
<strong>Interview Summary<br /><br /></strong>Dr. Ferial Pearson, Omaha educator and activist, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on April 11, 2018, in Ralston, Nebraska. Pearson was born in Nairobi, Kenya in the late 1970’s and is the oldest of four girls. As a child, Pearson’s mother struggled with mental illness and substance abuse, so Pearson filled in and took care of her younger sisters, which helped her develop a sense of independence and resilience at a young age. Pearson was a dedicated and focused student at her boarding school, which kept her mind off of the stress at home, and was involved in many extra-curricular activities like debate, band, and sports. <br /><br />During her childhood, Pearson was not aware that being queer was an option, or that there were terms for what she felt, but she was drawn to those who subverted gender norms and presented androgynously. She had a crush on a girl classmate, but was not interested in romantic attachments as a result of the sexual violence she experienced as an adolescent. As an Indian-African growing up in Nairobi, Pearson and her family felt the effects of anti-Indian bigotry and discrimination in a country still reeling from the effects of British colonization. Pearson’s grandfather encouraged her to pursue an education in the United States and stay here, as she would have far more opportunities to succeed.<br /><br />At 19, Pearson left everything she knew behind and immigrated to the United States to attend Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. With no cell phone or access to email, Pearson’s only communication with her family in Kenya was through infrequent letters. After attending a diversity conference, Building Bridges, in 1998, Pearson began to realize that her life-long queer crushes and feelings were real. In college, she met and fell in love with her partner Danny (Daniel), who had long blonde hair, painted his toenails, and walked around campus barefoot while playing clarinet. Danny embraced his femininity, was gentle and kind, and made her feel safe. <br /><br />Pearson moved to Omaha after graduating from Gustavus Adolphus in 2001, taught at Omaha South High School for 10 years (2001-2011), and then worked as a Talent Advisor at Ralston High School for 2 years (2011-2013). After the tragic Sandy Hook massacre in 2012, Pearson created the Secret Kindness Agents Project in an effort to encourage her students to spread kindness and compassion. The project quickly spread to other schools, states and countries, and has now been implemented in over 400 K-16 schools worldwide. Pearson is also co-founder and leader of Open Arms Transgender Support group, and is one of the original organizers of Omaha’s Tom Mahony Pride Prom for LGBTQ+ youth. Since 2013, Pearson has been an Instructor at UNO’s College of Education, while also providing workshops, trainings, mentorship, educational consulting and coaching within the community. Pearson lives in Ralston, Nebraska with her husband Daniel and two children.<br /><br />In this interview, Pearson also discusses her Indian, Nubian and Kenyan familial background, her father’s inherently feminist upbringing of his daughters, her experiences of Islamophobia and racism within Ralston and the LGBTQ+ community, and her calling to be an educator. <br /><strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /><br /></strong>Trigger warning for sexual assault, domestic violence and suicide.
Date
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2018 April 11
Creator
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Luke Wegener
Publisher
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University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
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English
Type
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audio
Identifier
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UNO-0240_Ferial-Pearson
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
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2016-2018
Creator
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Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
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English
Identifier
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UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:06:39
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Shari Baumer
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Shari-Baumer.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Shari Baumer</a></em><br /><br />Ms. Shari Baumer, Omaha LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 29, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Baumer shared information about her upbringing in Grand Island and Omaha, her strained relationship with her parents, her battle with alcoholism and getting sober, coming to terms with her sexuality, finding her birth family, and meeting her partner of 32 years, Mary Anne.
<strong>Biographical Sketch</strong><br /><br />Ms. Shari Baumer, born in Milford, Nebraska in the 1940's, is a Mexican and Native American lesbian woman, adoptee, survivor, LGBTQ+ advocate, and grandmother. Baumer's early childhood was spent in Grand Island, Nebraska, before moving to Omaha with her parents around age 6. After attending Holy Name High School, Baumer went on to work for Mutual of Omaha for 21 years (1965-1986), while earning her BA in Psychology from UNO in 1984. Baumer later worked for CHI (Catholic Health Initiatives) for 15 years before retiring in 2011. Along with her wife of 32 years, Mary Anne, Baumer stays active in supporting organizations like Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Omaha's Second Unitarian Church, and is one of the founding members of Open Arms Trans Social Group (OATS), a support group for trans youth, adults, and their friends and families.
<strong>Interview Summary</strong><br /><br />Shari Baumer, Omaha LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 29, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Baumer was born in Milford, Nebraska, in a home for unwed mothers, and spent her first year in an orphanage in Lincoln, Nebraska. After being adopted by an Italian American couple, Baumer moved to Grand Island, where she spent the first 6 years of her childhood before moving to Omaha. Baumer grew up as an only child and her home life was difficult, as her mother was mentally ill, her parent’s marriage was broken, and she was regularly shamed for her Mexican and Native American heritage. <br /><br />After her parents’ divorce during Baumer's freshman year at Holy Name High School, she was active in school activities and made a supportive group of friends. Baumer had a brief stint at Creighton University after high school, but was unable to keep up with the work, and was drinking and partying heavily. In 1965, at age 19, Baumer began working at Mutual of Omaha as a File Clerk, working her way up to becoming a Systems Analyst over the next 21 years, until she left the company in 1986. During this time, Baumer was supporting and sharing a home with her abusive mother and binge drinking until her mother's death in 1984 sparked a turning point in her life. Baumer began seeing a therapist, opened up about her mother's abusive behavior, and eventually got sober. <br /><br />After attending LGBT-specific AA meetings with a friend in 1985, it began to dawn on Baumer that she was gay. In 1986, Baumer met her partner Mary Anne at an AA meeting, and they have been together for 32 years, eventually marrying in Iowa in 2015. In 1996, Baumer began working for CHI Health and retired from the company in 2011. Along with her wife Mary Anne, Baumer is active in supporting organizations like Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Omaha's Second Unitarian Church, and is one of the founding members of Open Arms Trans Social Group (OATS), a support group for trans youth, adults, their friends and families.<br /><br />In this interview, Baumer also discusses reconnecting with her adoptive father after 20 years, meeting some of her birth family, learning about her Mexican and Native American background, and her relationships with her step-children and step-grandchildren.
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><br /><br />Trigger warning for domestic violence, sexual abuse, and substance abuse.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 March 29
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
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UNO-0240_Shari-Baumer
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:13:53
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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LGBTQ+: Interview with Dr. Shelton Hendricks
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Shelton-Hendricks.html">LGBTQ+: Interview with Dr. Shelton Hendricks</a></em><br /><br />Dr. Shelton Hendricks, former UNO Professor of Psychology and researcher, was interviewed by Amy Schindler and Dr. Jay Irwin on August 20, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. Hendricks shared information about exploring his gay identity at bars in the 1980's, meeting gay men online in the 1990's, coming out after his wife's death in 2011, meeting and marrying his husband Andrew Stevenson, and his experiences while at UNO.
<strong>Biographical Sketch</strong><br /><br />Dr. Shelton Hendricks, born in New Orleans, Louisiana in the early 1940's, was a white, gay man, longtime Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska Omaha, and according to the Omaha World-Herald, an "inspiring teacher and brilliant researcher" in the field of behavioral neuroscience. Hendricks attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, culminating in a Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience. Hendricks married Susan Swan Hendricks (1944-2011) in 1968 and together they had three children. <br /><br />In 1969, Hendricks accepted a position at UNO, and taught as a Professor of Psychology for 43 years, until his retirement in 2012. During his time at UNO, Hendricks also served as Chair of the Department of Psychology, Dean for Graduate Studies, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Hendricks was a founding member of the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (formerly the Conference on Reproductive Behavior) and an active member of the American Association of University Professors, First Unitarian Universalist Church, and Nebraska ACLU. <br />After his wife Susan's death in 2011, Dr. Hendricks retired, came out as a gay man and in 2015 married partner Andrew Stevenson. In 2014, Dr. Hendricks was diagnosed with metastasized melanoma, and after a long battle with the illness, he passed away in 2016.
<strong>Interview Summary</strong><br /><br />Dr. Shelton Hendricks, former UNO Professor of Psychology and researcher, was interviewed by Dr. Jay Irwin and Amy Schindler on August 20, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. Also present for the entire recording were Hendricks’ daughter Jennifer Hendricks and granddaughter Elinor Hendricks. Hendrick's husband Andrew Stevenson also briefly visited the room during the recording.<br /><br />Hendricks was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana in the early 1940's. As a child and adolescent, Hendricks did not consciously grow up around any gay people, or have even a concept of what being gay was. He only began to discover and explore his sexuality after his move to Omaha, while he was in a heterosexual marriage with children. In the 1980's, Hendricks went to gay bars while on frequent work trips to Washington, D.C. One of Hendricks' first experiences at a gay bar was at The Max in Omaha, but he only went in for "about 10 minutes." He also visited the gay bar Flixx in Omaha, where he ran into a student and UNO English Department faculty.<br /><br />In the 1990's, Hendricks used internet chat rooms and forums to further explore his sexuality and meet other gay men. In 2011, after the death of his wife, Hendricks began to come out about his sexuality. He gave a sermon as part of a "spiritual odyssey" at First Unitarian Church, where he spoke openly about being gay. This opened the door for him to be able to come out to his children and others. <br /><br />Hendricks married Andrew Stevenson in 2015, after they had met online and fell in love. They had big plans for traveling the world, but things changed after Hendricks was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. <br />In the interview, Hendricks also discusses his brother Danny coming out in the 1980's, his research on sexual orientation and HIV, his experiences with same-sex marriage discussions in UNO's faculty senate, his love of his wife and children, and UNO Professor of Political Science Dr. Meredith Bacon coming out as transgender.
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><br /><br />Hendricks was in hospice care at the time of the interview, and his sense of humor is present throughout. Jennifer Hendricks is heard on the recording during the interview and also asked questions of her father near the end of the interview. A number of family members were in the house and background conversation and noise can be heard throughout the recording.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 August 20
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
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English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Shelton-Hendricks
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:07:13
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Tammy Story
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Tammy-Story.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Tammy Story</a></em><br /><br />Ms.Tammy Story, LGBTQ+ advocate and veteran, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 1, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Story shared information about growing up in Arkansas, serving 18 years in the Army, suppressing her gender identity, coming out as transgender, medically transitioning, and her experiences with job discrimination.
<strong>Biographical Sketch</strong><br /><br />Ms. Tammy Story, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a Native American, bisexual, trans woman, army veteran, and LGBTQ+ advocate. Story served as a Staff Seargent and Foreperson in the U.S. Army for 18 years (1980-1998), during which she fought in the Persian-Gulf War from 1990-1991. After leaving the military and coming out as transgender, Story went on to serve as both Secretary and President of River City Gender Alliance. As of March 2018, Story resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
<strong>Interview Summary</strong><br /><br />Ms. Tammy Story, LGBTQ+ advocate and combat veteran, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 1, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Story was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to a conservative, Pentecostal family in the early 1960's. As a child, Story's family made it clear to her that she was not to express her true gender identity. Story's hyper-masculine and domineering father disapproved of her femininity, which drove Story to join the U.S. Army in the hopes of making her father happy. During her 18 years of service, Story "buried herself" in the macho, toxic masculinity of the military in order to fit in with her fellow officers, which had devastating consequences for her.<br /><br />After leaving the Army in 1998, Story began to use the internet to connect with others in the trans community who were coming to terms with their gender identity. Story came out in the early 2000's to her wife, and their marriage dissolved soon after. Determined not to give up, she eventually pushed forward with her medical transition. Unable to find a medical professional or therapist who was familiar with the needs of transgender patients, Story resorted to using the internet black market to find hormones, until she was finally helped out by Omaha's VA Medical Center. Over the years, Story has experienced numerous instances of discrimination, including being blocked for job promotions, receiving death threats while attending Iowa Western Community College, and losing her job at Kwik Shop for pursuing gender-affirming surgery. <br />Story has served as both Secretary and President of Nebraska's River City Gender Alliance. As of March 2018, Story is employed by K-Mart and resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><br /><br />Trigger warning for suicide and domestic violence.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 March 1
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
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English
Type
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audio
Identifier
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UNO-0240_Tammy-Story
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
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UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:12:38
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Borin Chep
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview,</em> <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Borin-Chep.html"><em>LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Borin Chep</em></a><br /><br />Mr. Borin Chep, LGBTQ+ advocate and UNO graduate student, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 22, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Chep shared information about growing up as a child of Cambodian refugees, his experiences with poverty and homelessness in both California and Kansas, coming into his gay identity as a teenager, moving to Omaha to be with his husband John, and his work as a graduate student and LGBTQ+ advocate on UNO's campus.
<strong>Biographical Sketch<br /><br /><br /></strong>Mr. Borin Chep, born in Columbus, Ohio, is a Cambodian American gay man, LGBTQ+ advocate and academic. Chep earned a BA in Media Studies at UNO in 2015, and is currently a graduate student in UNO's School of Communication. After growing up in Cambodian refugee communities in Long Beach, California and Kansas City, Missouri, Chep moved to Omaha in 2009 to be with his husband, John. Chep was the Director of UNO's Gender and Sexual Orientation Student Agency from 2014-2015, where he won Student Organization Director of the Year. In 2018, Chep won the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant award for his work with students in UNO's School of Communication. Chep currently resides in Omaha with his husband, John.
<strong>Interview Summary<br /><br /></strong>Mr. Borin Chep, LGBTQ+ advocate and UNO graduate student, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on March 22, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Chep was born in Columbus, Ohio to refugee parents who fled Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge genocide in the early 1980's. Raised by his mother and not knowing his biological father, Chep's first 10 years were spent in Long Beach, California, in a community made up of Cambodian refugees. Chep's family experienced poverty and homelessness, frequently sleeping on park benches and in cars.<br /><br />After his mother married, Chep, his mother and four sisters moved into a one-bedroom apartment with a bathroom, which felt like a luxury in comparison to their previous living situation. The family had to sleep on a mattress on the floor away from the windows, as the area they lived in was plagued by gang violence between the Crips and Bloods. Until 3rd grade, Chep could not read or write English, but finally taught himself by playing Final Fantasy video games and learning from the dialog boxes. <br /><br />When Chep was 10, his family fled to Kansas City, Missouri to escape his abusive stepfather. Overnight, Chep's life in Long Beach was uprooted, possessions left behind, and he had to start over. It turned out the Cambodian refugee community in Kansas City was much smaller, less tight-knit, and Christian, so Chep and his family had to convert to Christianity. No longer surrounded at school by other children of refugees with similar socioeconomic backgrounds, Chep began to understand what it meant to be the child of refugees, and how he was different than his peers. Many of his classmates' parents were doctors, lawyers, or held other prestigious titles. Chep felt ashamed of his background and lied to his peers about his home life and family, hoping they wouldn't find out he was poor.<br /><br />Shortly after moving to Kansas City, Chep's mother was diagnosed with disorganized schizophrenia, and she became known in the Cambodian community as "Crazy Lady." The stigma attached to his mother's mental illness alienated him from others. When Chep was 10 years old, his mother had a schizophrenic episode and was hospitalized for months. During this time, Chep was forced to fend for himself, using a credit card his mother left behind and getting himself to school. When his mother returned home, her absence was never discussed.<br /><br />As Chep got older, he "toughened up" and put on a hyper-masculine façade to fit in with his peers and appear "cool." In high school he joined a queer youth group in Kansas City called Passages, where he met and befriended other LGBTQIA+ youth. Coming more into his own as a gay teen, Chep came out to a close friend, who he knew would tell others at school. His classmates found out about his sexuality, but it was a non-issue since Chep was a "cool kid" and had a tough image. Chep later even came out to the members of his rugby team and was met with acceptance and encouragement. Coming out to family for Chep was not as smooth, though, as his mother's reaction to his sexuality was that he would "go to hell" - the response he expected.<br /><br />Chep moved to Omaha in 2009 to be with his husband, John. In Omaha, Chep began taking classes at Metropolitan Community College where he discovered his love of film, and joined the campus LGBTQ+ support group, Spectrum. Wanting to continue his education, Chep enrolled at UNO, found a good support system, and created the LGBTQIA+ student group Lez Bi Real Queer. Chep eventually went on to become Director of UNO's Gender and Sexual Orientation Student Agency from 2014-2015, where he won Student Organization Director of the Year. Chep earned his BA in Media Studies from UNO in 2015, and is currently a graduate student in UNO's School of Communication, where he won the 2018 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant award. Chep plans to continue his education and pursue a PhD.<br /><br />In this interview, Chep also discusses tracking down and reconnecting with his biological father, being fetishized as an Asian man in the gay community, and the long-term impact of growing up in poverty.<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /><br /></strong>Trigger warning for descriptions of violence, death, and abuse.<strong><br /></strong>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 March 22
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Luke Wegener
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Borin-Chep
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:19:23
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Gary Emenitove
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Gary-Emenitove.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Gary Emenitove</a></em><br /><br />Mr. Gary Emenitove, retired broadcaster and performer with the River City Mixed Chorus, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on February 20, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Emenitove shared information about growing up in Council Bluffs, his early love of music and radio, joining the Metropolitan Community Church and accepting his sexuality, forming the River City Mixed Chorus, and his career in radio broadcasting.
<strong><strong></strong></strong>
<p><strong>Biographical Sketch</strong></p>
<p>Mr. Gary Emenitove, born in Kansas City, Missouri, is a white gay man, retired radio broadcaster, and one of the founding members of the River City Mixed Chorus. At a young age, Emenitove's parents moved the family to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to open up their small business. Later, Emenitove attended college at the University of Iowa and graduated with a BA in Journalism and Broadcasting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1974. Emenitove would go on to have a decades-long career in radio broadcasting, working for stations in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. As a lover of music and singing, Emenitove was one of the founding members of the River City Mixed Chorus in the early 1980's, Nebraska's only GLTBA chorus. Emenitove currently resides in Omaha with his husband, Michael.</p>
<p><strong>Interview Summary</strong></p>
<p>Mr. Gary Emenitove, retired broadcaster and performer with the River City Mixed Chorus, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on February 20, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Emenitove was born in Kansas City, Missouri as the only child of Karl and Helena Emenitove. When Emenitove was young, the family moved from Missouri to Council Bluffs, where they bought and operated a small business. The store was a significant, time-consuming part of Emenitove's parent's lives, and they spent most of their time tending to the store.</p>
<p>Emenitove enjoyed music, singing, radio broadcasting, and listening to the news from a young age. He worked odd jobs at a radio station as a child and was always a member of the school chorus. Growing up in Council Bluffs in the 1960's, Emenitove was aware of his same-sex attraction, but did not openly discuss or act on his feelings.</p>
<p>Emenitove moved to Omaha in 1983 and worked at the Sweet 98 radio station, his first job at a large and popular station. After a road trip with friends to Des Moines for a Twin Cities Men's Chorus concert, Emenitove and friends formed the Mid City Chorus in Omaha, which eventually led the creation of the River City Mixed Chorus. Music and chorus have been Emenitove's lifelong passions.</p>
<p>Emenitove later joined a gay discussion group at Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha (MCC),and found an environment that was comfortable and accepting of his sexuality. Never having outright denied his sexuality, but also not fully coming out to those in his life outside the discussion group, Emenitove credits Pastor Jan Kross at MCC with helping him finally open up about his sexuality in his 30's. Emenitove currently resides in Omaha with his husband, Michael.</p>
<p>In this interview, Emenitove also discusses working against Nebraska Initiative 416, the great changes in radio technology and equipment over the course of his career, and his views on the Trump administration.</p>
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><br /><br />Some bits of background noise, noise from a dog tag.<br /><br /> Emenitove provided some clarifications for the interview. He referred to the "Mid City Singers" in the audio, but clarified that the name was actually the "Mid City Chorus." He also clarified that the second director of River City Mixed Chorus died of AIDS, not the first.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 February 20
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Gary-Emenitove
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:46:44
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Cei Loofe
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Cei-Loofe.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Cei Loofe</a></em><br /><br />Cei Loofe, LGBTQ+ advocate and poet, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on January 19, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Loofe shared information about growing up throughout small towns in Nebraska, his transgender identity as a child, experiencing rejection from the lesbian community, his sobriety, developing epilepsy, his medical transition and involvement in slam poetry and Buddhism.
<p><strong>Biographical Sketch </strong></p>
<p>Cei Loofe, born in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a white, queer, trans man, poet, and LGBTQ+ advocate. Loofe earned an Associates in Communication and K-12 Education from Iowa Western Community College (1998), and has held many different professional roles, including owning a bookstore, working with adults with cognitive disabilities, and writing for the Fremont Tribune. Loofe spends his time involved with organizations such as Words Save Lives, Sacred Circles, was formerly a Heartland Pride board member (2012), is an ordained minister with Inclusive Life Ministries, and is the Men's Midtown District Leader for the Soka Gakkai International Nichiren Buddhism network. Loofe was a recipient of the Spirit Award in 2017 for his community activism, and represented Lincoln at the 2008 National Poetry Slam in Madison, Wisconsin.<sup></sup></p>
<p><strong>Interview Summary</strong></p>
<p>Cei Loofe, LGBTQ+ advocate and poet, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on January 19, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Loofe was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to a working-class family and grew up with one sister, Leane. His parents struggled to make ends meet and pay bills, and they often moved throughout Nebraska small towns. Loofe's mother's mental health and struggle with lupus worsened over time, leading to her suicide at age 52. As a child, Loofe was aware of his trans identity and was "one of the other boys." When he compared himself to his male friends, he thought he just hadn't developed yet. Devastated by being forced to wear a catholic girls' uniform, he was spanked often at home for rebelling. In high school, Loofe was gifted and active in many extracurricular activities, such as drama and forensics, but struggled with abusing drugs and alcohol.</p>
<p>Loofe attempted, at various ages, to come out as trans to his friends, but was laughed off and rejected each time. As part of the lesbian community, Loofe's lesbian friends believed if he transitioned, he would be "betraying" his womanhood. Eventually, Loofe became sober and stopped communication with friends who would not accept him. In 2004, he was involved in a car accident, suffered a brain injury and developed debilitating epilepsy. After reaching a breaking point, Loofe came out as transgender in 2014 and began his medical transition, which led to the dissolution of his marriage. Currently, Loofe spends his time volunteering as the Men's Midtown District Leader for the Soka Gakkai International Nichiren Buddhism network and performing at slam poetry events.</p>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /><br /></strong>Trigger warning for sexual abuse, suicide.<strong><br /></strong>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 January 19
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Cei-Loofe
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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d0eeaf0804a4f6552d75c6236c0bf860
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
03:32:33
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with George Wolf
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_George-Wolf.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with George Wolf</a></em><br /><br />Dr. George Wolf, retired UNL Associate English Professor and LGBTQ+ activist, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 1, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Wolf shared information about his childhood in New York, his father's mental illness, knowing he was gay as a young boy, his first marriage to a woman, his decades-long career teaching English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, his unorthodox teaching style, and his long-term relationship with partner, John G. Taylor.
<p><strong>Biographical Sketch </strong></p>
<p>Dr. George Wolf, born in Brooklyn, New York, is an Associate Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a long-time LGBTQ+ activist. Wolf, who is white, earned a BA in English from Brooklyn College in 1961, and a PhD in English from the University of Connecticut in 1971. Wolf moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1966, where he would teach English and inspire students at UNL for more than three decades. The winner of numerous awards, such as the University of Nebraska Foundation Medal for Distinguished Teaching (1973), James A. Lake Academic Freedom Award (2002), and the UNL Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the GLBT Community (2003), Wolf was known for his "unorthodox methods" - as described by a 2001 Daily Nebraskan article - and creative, imaginative teaching style that invigorated students. Since retiring in 2003, Wolf spends his time working for the Center for Great Plains Studies and is involved with organizations such as the ACLU of Nebraska, American Association of University Professors, National LGBTQ Task Force and Lancaster County Democratic Party. Wolf's late partner of 40 years, John G. Taylor (1952-2014), was also a prominent voice in Lincoln's activist community for several decades.</p>
<p><strong>Interview Summary</strong></p>
<p>Dr. George Wolf, retired UNL Associate English Professor and LGBTQ+ activist, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 1, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Wolf was born in Brooklyn, New York to George and Frances Wolf and grew up in a working-class, Presbyterian family. As a child, Wolf struggled with his father's mental illness, angry outbursts, and frequent psychiatric hospitalizations. Intellectually gifted and more mature than his peers, Wolf enjoyed sharing his knowledge with classmates, reading about world events and politics. Growing up in the 1940's, Wolf was aware of his same-sex attraction and had physical relationships with other boys, but knew his desires were considered immoral. With no role models or guidance to help him process his sexuality, he felt alone and lost.</p>
<p>Longing to escape Brooklyn after graduating with his BA in English from Brooklyn College in 1961, Wolf went on to earn his PhD in English from the University of Connecticut in 1971. Before graduate school, Wolf sought out psychotherapy to "cure" himself of homosexuality, but his attempts proved unsuccessful. After marrying Nancy Connors in 1962 and moving to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1966, Wolf began his decades-long career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s English department (1966-2003). In 1973, Wolf's marriage to Nancy ended and he began to come to terms with his sexuality with the aid and mentorship of gay colleagues, including author and queer scholar, Dr. Louis Crompton.</p>
<p>In 1973, Wolf met his partner, John G. Taylor at a dance in a church basement. Sensing he was gentle and kind, Wolf and Taylor began a relationship that would span four decades until John's death in 2014. Taylor, like Wolf, was a community activist and passionate about social justice.</p>
<p>Early on in his career at UNL, Wolf discovered the book "Freedom to Learn" by Carl Rogers, which spoke against the conventions of traditional teaching methods and encouraged a more collaborative, less hierarchical approach. This drastically changed Wolf's perspective on teaching and he began using more innovative teaching methods in his classroom. These methods had a positive impact on his students for decades, and taught them to connect and engage with literature in new and exciting ways. Even after retirement, Wolf still runs into former students who share with him the impact he had on their lives.</p>
<p>Dr. Wolf has won numerous awards for his teaching and advocacy work, including the University of Nebraska Foundation Medal for Distinguished Teaching (1973), James A. Lake Academic Freedom Award (2002), and the UNL Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the GLBT Community (2003). Since retiring in 2003, Wolf spends his time working for the Center for Great Plains Studies and is involved with organizations such as the ACLU of Nebraska, American Association of University Professors, National LGBTQ Task Force and Lancaster County Democratic Party.</p>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /><br /></strong>A heater, at times, can be heard in the background of the recording.<strong><br /></strong>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017 December 8
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
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UNO-0240_George-Wolf
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
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English
Identifier
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UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
01:31:57
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Kristi Carter
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Kristi-Carter.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Kristi Carter</a></em><br /><br />Dr. Kristi Carter, poet, author, LGBTQ+ advocate and lecturer of English and Women's and Gender Studies at UNL, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 15, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Carter shared information about growing up in rural North Carolina, her traumatic childhood, her love of art and poetry, discovering her queer identity, teaching at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and her relationship with partner, Alan.
<p><strong>Biographical Sketch</strong></p>
<p>Dr. Kristi Carter, born in Stokes County, North Carolina, is a queer, white poet, author, LGBTQ+ advocate and lecturer in English and Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Carter earned a BA in Creative Writing from Appalachian State University in 2009, an MFA in Creative Writing-Poetry from Oklahoma State University in 2012, and a PhD in Creative Writing-Poetry with a specialization in Women's and Gender Studies from UNL in 2017. Her work examines the intersection of gender and intergenerational trauma in 20<sup>th</sup> century poetics. She has contributed to numerous literary journals and anthologies, and published <em>Cosmovore</em> (Aqueduct Press, 2017), chapbook <em>Daughter Shaman Sings Blood Anthem </em>(Porkbelly Press, 2017), and chapbook <em>Red and Vast</em> (Dancing Girl Press, 2018).</p>
<p>Carter has received numerous award nominations and accolades for her literary work, including a 2017 Pushcart Prize nomination for her poem in <em>Naugatuck River Review's</em> Narrative Poetry Contest. She was also a finalist in 2017 for the Sundress Competition for her chapbook <em>Daughter Shaman Sings Blood Anthem</em>, as well as the Jacar Press Competiton for her chapbook <em>Red and Vast.</em></p>
<p>When she's not on campus teaching students or writing, Carter volunteers her time at community organizations and has worked as a victim advocate and incident liaison for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. She currently resides in Lincoln with her long-time partner, Alan Blair.</p>
<p><strong>Interview Summary</strong></p>
<p>Dr. Kristi Carter, poet, author, LGBTQ+ advocate and lecturer of English and Women's and Gender Studies at UNL, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 15, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Carter was born in rural Stokes County, North Carolina to a conservative, working class family. Growing up with a difficult, unstable mother and disengaged father in a dysfunctional family, Carter learned to escape and survive through art and writing. It was later through this exposure to literature, poetry, and art that Carter began to discover she was queer.</p>
<p>In high school during the early 2000's, Carter began to date girls, but felt her male friends did not take her pansexual identity seriously, while her grandparents believed it was just a phase. She was forced to sneak around with her girlfriend, since both knew there would be serious repercussions if their relationship was discovered outside of school. Finding no support outside of her circle of friends and relationships, and no accessible depictions of LGBTQ+ people in the media she consumed, Carter felt the stress of hiding and constantly being invalidated in her identity.</p>
<p>In 2005, Carter graduated high school and started college at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She began to find her voice as a writer and graduated with a BA in Creative Writing in 2009. With encouragement from professors who believed in her talent and vision, Carter went on to earn an MFA in Creative Writing-Poetry from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK) in 2012 and PhD in Creative Writing-Poetry with a concentration in Women's and Gender Studies from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2017. Influenced by the complicated and dysfunctional relationship with her mother, Carter's PhD work focused on examining the intersection of gender and intergenerational trauma in 20<sup>th</sup> century poetics.</p>
<p>While in her MFA program at OSU, Carter struggled to find other LGBTQ+ people for support. In her undergraduate years, she had struggled with dating men who invalidated her identity, but that changed when at the beginning of her MFA, she met her long-term partner, Alan. He embraced his own gender fluidity and queerness in a way she had not experienced with a male partner before. Conversely, Carter has known her sexuality would be "violently rejected and admonished" by her immediate family, and she is no longer in contact with them.</p>
<p>While still presently struggling with feelings of invisibility in the LGBTQ+ community as a pansexual woman with a male partner, Carter has found a good community in Lincoln. With support from mentors such as Stacey Waite, Kwame Dawes, Maureen Honey, and her partner Alan, Carter has continued to evolve in her writing and exploration of identity.</p>
<p>In this interview, Carter also discusses how her pansexual identity influences her teaching, the development of her feminist identity, the impact of the current Trump administration, and reads aloud her poem <em>Apology, For E </em>published in literary zine <em>Alyss </em>(2017).</p>
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><br /><br />A few doors slam in the background during the interview.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017 December 15
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Kristi-Carter
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:46:04
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with James Pennington
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_James-Pennington.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with James Pennington</a></em><br /><br />James Pennington, Omaha psychotherapist, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on October 20, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. Pennington shared information about their sheltered, Christian upbringing in Oklahoma, coming out as queer and transgender, the dissolution of their first marriage, their passion to become a psychotherapist, and moving to Omaha.
<p><strong>Biographical Sketch</strong></p>
<p>James Pennington, born in Durant, Oklahoma, is a white queer and transgender psychotherapist and mental health advocate. Pennington earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma (Norman) in 2008 and an MA in Counseling with a concentration on Trauma, Abuse and Deprivation from Ottowa University (Phoenix) in 2014. Pennington has worked with those suffering from eating disorders, substance abuse issues, and in the area of suicide prevention. They are a member of ASGPP (American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama), ICEEFT (International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy), and APA Division 44: Society for the Study of LGBT Issues. Pennington has presented on gender identity at national conferences such as ASGPP's National Conference in 2015 and 2016, and the Listening to Trauma conference in Washington, DC in 2016. After moving to Omaha in 2016, Pennington opened their own private practice in October 2017, specializing in working with LGBTQ+ clients. Pennington lives with their partner, Dr. Lydia Cooper and one pet cat, Gandalf.</p>
<p><strong>Interview Summary</strong></p>
<p>James Pennington, Omaha psychotherapist, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on October 20, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. Pennington was born in Durant, Oklahoma and grew up in a small, conservative Christian family. At the age of 5, Pennington's mother was in a car accident and became chronically ill. Because of this, she was unable to care for her children, which forced Pennington to become independent at a very young age. Growing up in a highly sheltered, Christian environment at home and being more effeminate than boys their age, Pennington struggled to fit in and develop friendships at school.</p>
<p>In high school, Pennington began dating a girl, Carly, who would later become their wife of 7 years. After coming out to her and others with mixed reactions at the age of 18, Pennington began the process of coming to terms with their identity as a queer, non-binary person. In college at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Pennington struggled with keeping their GPA up and felt directionless, but a positive experience with an inspiring therapist helped them find their calling as a psychotherapist. In graduate school at Ottowa University in Phoenix, Pennington studied Counseling with a focus in Trauma, Abuse and Deprivation and worked with those suffering from eating disorders, substance abuse issues and in the area of suicide prevention. After the dissolution of Pennington's marriage with Carly and the end of graduate school, Pennington met Dr. Lydia Cooper and in 2016 moved to Omaha to be with her.</p>
<p>In this oral history, Pennington also describes what it is like to be a queer and trans psychotherapist practicing in Omaha, Nebraska, their struggles with memory loss from traumatic brain injuries, the process of losing their faith as they come to terms with their queer and trans identity, and their feelings about the current Trump administration's impact on the LGBT community at large. Pennington is now in private practice, Dream Again Therapy, as a psychotherapist primarily working with queer and trans clients.</p>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /></strong><br />An event started next door to James’ office midway through the interview, which was unexpected. Music and children can be heard at various points throughout the interview. There is also a slight echo on the recording due to the high ceilings of James' office. Though the microphone was close to James, at certain points it may be difficult to hear them, as they are a soft talker.<strong><br /></strong>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017 October 20
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_James-Pennington
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:00:22
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Marcy Bieler
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Marcy-Bieler.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Marcy Bieler</a></em><br /><br />Marcy Bieler, LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 13, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. Bieler shared information about growing up in Kansas, knowing she was transgender at a young age, coming out as trans to her ex-wife, her relationship with her daughter, facing discrimination in rural Iowa, and joining River City Gender Alliance.
<p><strong>Biographical Sketch </strong></p>
<p>Marcy Bieler, born in Leadville, Colorado, is a white trans woman living in Irwin, Iowa. Growing up in Kansas as the daughter of a welder and nurse, Bieler is an active member of the River City Gender Alliance and outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She is the proud mother of two teenage daughters.</p>
<p><strong>Interview Summary</strong></p>
<p>Marcy Bieler, LGBTQ+ advocate, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 13, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. Bieler was born in Leadville, Colorado to Edith and Henry Bieler and grew up in a working-class family as one of six children in Kansas. At a young age, Bieler knew she was a girl, but was not in an environment where she could safely express her identity. Sporting long hair as a child, strangers would see Bieler as a little girl, which infuriated her father and he forced her to cut her hair. Bieler was often called "fag" or "gay" by other kids during her childhood and adolescence, and frequently got in fights with other students.</p>
<p>In 2002, Bieler married her girlfriend and together they had one daughter. Bieler eventually came out to her wife, and though she took it well at the time, it became clear to Bieler that her wife was punishing her for being transgender. She was eventually outed by her wife to her entire community without her consent and lost her home. Living in rural Iowa, Bieler struggled with employment due to discrimination against transgender individuals. She has also faced inappropriate treatment while receiving medical care.</p>
<p>Falling into serious depression and seeing no way out, Bieler contemplated suicide. After hitting rock bottom, Bieler sought out a therapist to help her regain control of her life and accept her identity. With therapy to help her recover her life, Bieler joined River City Gender Alliance, an Omaha-based support group for Transgender individuals. There she found a thriving community of trans women to offer her support and began to rebuild her life.</p>
<p>In this interview, Bieler also discusses her dream job, changing her legal documents, her daughters, and her ideas for making the LGBTQ+ community more inclusive.</p>
<strong>Interview Notes<br /></strong><br />Trigger warning for discussion of mental illness and suicide.<strong><br /></strong>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017 December 13
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Marcy-Bieler
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
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Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
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University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
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English
Identifier
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UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:49:07
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Harry Di Lise
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Harry-DiLise.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Harry Di Lise</a></em><br /><br />Harry Di Lise, retired social worker and founding member of Nebraska AIDS Project, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on November 28, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. Di Lise shared information about his upbringing in Chicago, desire to become a priest, coming out as gay in the 1970's, his lengthy career at Nebraska Child Protective Services, founding Nebraska AIDS Project, and his relationship with family.
<p><strong>Biographical Sketch </strong></p>
<p>Harry Di Lise is a social worker, advocate for foster children, and one of the founding members of Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP). Di Lise was born in Chicago, Illinois to Genevieve and Anthony Di Lise and grew up in a conservative, white, Italian Catholic family with his brother, Charles. Di Lise earned his BA in Sociology and Philosophy from Creighton University in 1971, and a MA in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1978. While working for Nebraska's Child Protective Services for nearly four decades (1971-2010), Di Lise dedicated his life to advocating for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. A self-described "defiant Catholic" who has been passionate about his faith since childhood, Di Lise works to promote inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the Catholic Church through participation in DignityUSA, a Catholic LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. After retiring in 2010, Di Lise spends his time volunteering for Nebraska AIDS Project, supporting River City Mixed Chorus, and enjoys the company of his friends and community. He resides in Dundee neighborhood of Omaha with his albino cat, Bianca, and two schnauzers, Misty and Coco.</p>
<p><strong>Interview Summary</strong></p>
<p>Harry Di Lise, retired social worker and founding member of Nebraska AIDS Project, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on November 28, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. Di Lise grew up in a conservative, white, Italian Catholic family. Not interested in the "typical" sports as a young boy, Di Lise experienced frequent put-downs about his masculinity. Passionate about his faith from a young age, Di Lise knew he wanted to be a Catholic priest and would later spend 9 years in seminary. After graduating with a BA in Sociology and Philosophy from Creighton University in 1971, he left the seminary and went on to earn his MA in Social Work from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1978. While beginning his career at Nebraska Child Protective Services in 1971 and starting to understand his sexuality, Di Lise experienced a life changing moment when he discovered his first gay bar while overhearing a coworker's conversation. Unable to walk through the front door the first several times, he finally worked up the courage to enter and experienced great relief, finally feeling at home. He would later have his first date and romantic experiences as a result of the connections to other gay men he developed at the bar. He became involved with Omaha's Holy Family Church, Metropolitan Community Church, and DignityUSA, a Catholic organization that works to promote the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics.</p>
<p>On Christmas Eve 1978, Di Lise's father used anti-gay slurs against him in an argument and he was disowned by his parents, who he did not see again for 15 years. After reconnecting, Di Lise’s relationship with his parents and brother remained strained.</p>
<p>In 1984, Di Lise was a founding member along with Ray Hoffman, Mike Thorphinnson, Jim Schumacher, Barry Landes, and Marta Hopkinson, of what would later be known as Nebraska Aids Project (NAP). Di Lise designed the hotline manual, trained and screened volunteers, and did fundraising for the hotline. In 1987, after operating for years out of bars and kitchens, NAP received funding to open an office space on 37<sup>th</sup> and Leavenworth St. and began to grow.</p>
<p>While at Nebraska Child Protective Services from 1971-2010, Di Lise worked tirelessly to advocate for neglected and abused children in the foster care system. An overall positive workplace environment, Di Lise still experienced numerous instances of discrimination for his sexuality. After retiring in 2010, Di Lise spends his time volunteering for Nebraska AIDS Project, supporting River City Mixed Chorus, and enjoys the company of his friends and community.</p>
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><br /><br />Neighbor dogs and refrigerator hum can be heard briefly throughout interview.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017 November 28
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
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mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Harry-DiLise
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
03:11:10
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Barbara DiBernard
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Barbara-DiBernard.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Barbara DiBernard</a></em><br /><br />Dr. Barbara DiBernard, retired UNL English and Women's and Gender Studies Professor and LGBTQ+ activist, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 1, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. DiBernard shared information about growing up in New Jersey, her education and feminist awakening, coming to terms with her lesbian identity, her decades-long career teaching in the English department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and her marriage to her wife, Judy.
<strong>Biographical Sketch<br /></strong> <br />Dr. Barbara DiBernard, born in Dover, New Jersey, is a Professor Emerita of English and Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and LGBTQ+ activist, whose fight for liberation as a white lesbian woman spans nearly four decades. DiBernard earned a BA in English from Wilson College (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania) in 1970, and a PhD in Modern British Literature in 1976 from The State University of New York at Binghamton. After teaching for two years at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, DiBernard moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where she taught English and Women's and Gender Studies from 1978-2011 and was Director of the Women's and Gender Studies program from 1992-1997. DiBernard has won numerous awards for her teaching and LGBT advocacy work, including the UNL Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community (2002) and UNL's OTICA (Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Award) (2000). Passionate about environmental issues and protecting the planet, DiBernard has been involved with numerous conservation organizations such as the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Bold Alliance, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Spring Creek Prairie. She is also involved with other groups like the Lincoln Literacy Council, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Audobon Society, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU of Nebraska. <br /><br />After the Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage in June 2015, DiBernard and her partner of nearly 30 years, Judith Gibson, were the first same-sex couple in Lancaster County to receive a marriage license in Nebraska. Since retiring in 2011, DiBernard resides in Lincoln with Judith and enjoys vegetable gardening, cooking, bird watching and staying involved in local politics.
<strong>Interview Summary</strong><br /><p>Dr. Barbara DiBernard, retired UNL English and Women's and Gender Studies Professor and LGBTQ+ activist, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on December 1, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. DiBernard was born in Dover, New Jersey to Josephine and Vincent DiBernard and grew up in a Catholic, Italian-American family with one younger sister, Joan. Quiet and well-behaved as a young girl, DiBernard experienced an ideal childhood and enjoyed summers away at camp with her best friend. In high school, DiBernard was unaware of her attraction to women, as it was never presented as an option or openly talked about.</p>
<p>In 1966, DiBernard began studying English at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, expanding her awareness of societal injustice during the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War. After earning her PhD from SUNY Binghamton in Modern British Literature in 1976, she eventually moved to teach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1978, where she began to discover women's literature and experienced a life-changing feminist awakening. Through writers like Tillie Olsen, Audre Lorde, and Minnie Bruce Pratt, DiBernard also began to understand and acknowledge her lesbian identity and how it intersected with her passion for social justice and feminism. Attending events like the Michigan Womyn's Festival for several years, DiBernard saw the power and beauty women hold when they work together, away from the constraints of patriarchal society.</p>
<p>As she became more grounded and confident in her identities, DiBernard started coming out to her students and received mostly positive responses, despite struggling to find support with UNL's administration. DiBernard was involved with several causes during her career at UNL, most notably the fight spanning two decades to extend benefits to domestic partners of faculty and staff, which was finally granted in 2012 after her retirement. Over the years, DiBernard invited many feminist and LGBTQ+ icons to UNL for speaking engagements, including writers Minnie Bruce Pratt, Leslie Feinberg, Dorothy Allison, Lillian Faderman, Lev Raphael, and Kenny Fries.</p>
<p>In 1988, DiBernard and Judith Gibson, Lincoln therapist, became life partners. In 2000, they joined a lawsuit with the ACLU and Lambda Legal against Nebraska 416, which amended the Nebraska constitution to make same-sex marriage unconstitutional. After the Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage in June 2015, DiBernard and Gibson were the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in Lancaster County, Nebraska, which was covered in local newspapers the <em>Omaha World-Herald</em> and <em>Lincoln Journal Star</em>.</p>
<p>In this interview, DiBernard also discusses Judy's disability and her passion for disability activism, the impact of the Trump administration on the LGBT community, and reflects on her life of activism and dedication to social justice.</p>
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><br /><br />Moving in the background can be heard very briefly during the first half of the interview. Midway through the interview, Barbara and Luke moved to a different table. The recorder began picking up any movements they made, making rustling sounds.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017 December 1
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Barbara-DiBernard
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection is the home for oral history interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, and asexual individuals from various communities with a focus on those with a connection to Omaha, Nebraska. The interviews were consciously collected to be part of UNO’s Queer Omaha Archives. Interviews to date are all audio recordings and include community members and UNO faculty; interviewees are described individually. Interviews to date have been conducted by UNO professor Jay Irwin, UNO archivist Amy Schindler, UNO students in Prof. Jay Irwin’s Fall 2016 Introduction to LGBT Studies course, and UNO Libraries oral history associate for the Queer Omaha Archives Luke Wegener. Contact UNO Libraries' Archives and Special Collections about access to interviews not yet available online.
Oral history is one of many sources available to consult as part of your research. It reflects the experience of an individual and shares personal opinions offered by the interviewee in response to questioning. Additional sources can verify and provide additional information to the narrative of events presented in oral histories. Contact UNO Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections to continue your research, find additional sources, or learn more.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-2018
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Irwin, Jay (Interviewer, Person)
Wegener, Lukas (Interviewer, Person)
University of Nebraska at Omaha. University Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Interviewer
The person(s) performing the interview
Luke Wegener
Duration
Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.)
02:28:54
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Scott Jones
Subject
The topic of the resource
Queer Omaha Archives
Sexual minorities -- Nebraska -- Omaha
interviews
oral histories (document genres)
Description
An account of the resource
<em>Click here to access the interview, <a href="https://library.unomaha.edu/_audio/UNO-0240_Scott-Jones.html">LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Scott Jones</a></em><br /><br />Rev. Dr. E. Scott Jones, LGBTQ+ activist and minister, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on February 9, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Jones shared information about his childhood in Oklahoma, his theological education and the evolution of his faith, coming out as gay, his fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Oklahoma and in Omaha, meeting his husband, and adopting his son.
<p><strong>Biographical Sketch </strong></p>
<p>Rev. Dr. E. Scott Jones, born in Miami, Oklahoma, is a white gay man, LGBTQ+ activist, theologian, lecturer, author, and currently works as Senior Minister at Omaha's First Central Congregational Church. Jones earned a BA in Religion and Philosophy at Oklahoma Baptist University in 1996, and an MA (1997) and PhD (2001) in Philosophy from the University of Oklahoma. After serving churches in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, he moved to Omaha in 2010 with his husband, Michael Cich-Jones, and became a voice for LGBTQ+ rights in Nebraska. Jones was a leader of the Equal Omaha Coalition, which lobbied successfully in 2012 for the passage of Omaha's LGBT Equal Employment Ordinance. As a member of Heartland Clergy for Inclusion, Jones coordinated the #ReadyToMarry campaign, and co-authored the Heartland Proclamation, a statement published by local clergy members affirming and welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals into their ministry. In 2009, Jones was the recipient of the Torch Award from Cimarron Alliance Foundation, and in 2011 he received the PFLAG Flag Bearer Award. Jones currently resides in Omaha with his husband, Michael, and their young son, Sebastian. His forthcoming book, <em>Open: A Memoir of Faith, Family and Sexuality in the Heartland </em>comes out in August 2018.</p>
<p><strong>Interview Summary</strong></p>
<p>Rev. Dr. E. Scott Jones, LGBTQ+ activist and minister, was interviewed by Luke Wegener on February 9, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska. Jones was born in Miami, Oklahoma and grew up with one sister, Kelli, in a Southern Baptist family. As a child, Jones was a studious, self-described "nerdy" kid who devoted himself to school and church. He knew at a young age his calling was to become a minister. While aware of his same-sex attraction, Jones had no guidance, information or validation of his sexuality as a child and adolescent, and remained closeted. At age 16, his father Randall suffered a heart attack and passed away, which caused Jones to question some of his philosophical stances. During his undergraduate years at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) from 1992-1996, Jones's religious and philosophical stances were challenged even further by his professors and coursework, which pushed him further to the left in his political leanings. As he began to meet more LGBT people in college, Jones perspective on homosexuality began to change. In his sophomore year at OBU, one of his peers was outed as being gay and sent to reparative therapy by the university, which Jones believed was wrong and defended him.</p>
<p>While in graduate school at the University of Oklahoma from 1996-2001, Jones became more open to exploring his sexuality and continued to meet gay men who were active in the church, which showed him that his faith and sexuality did not have to be mutually exclusive. Jones experienced a breaking point while serving as pastor at Royal Lane Church in Dallas, Texas from 2003-2005. He decided to acknowledge his sexuality and come out to his crush, John, as a result of watching the HBO miniseries <em>Angels in America. </em>Their relationship was short-lived, but Jones began to come out in other areas of his life and move into his identity as a gay man.</p>
<p>Knowing he could not work long-term in the Baptist church as an openly gay man, Jones moved to Oklahoma City in 2005 to work as a minister at Cathedral of Hope, a progressive, LGBTQ+ affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. Within a relatively short period of time, Jones went from being closeted to very publicly out as the openly gay minister of a progressive congregation. He went on to become a central figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Oklahoma, debating anti-LGBT politician Sally Kern on live television. Jones faced significant media attention when he was the first openly gay chaplain for a day for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which landed him on the cover of the <em>Daily Oklahoman</em> and inspired rallies in support of the LGBTQ+ community.</p>
<p>In 2006, Jones met Michael Cich, who would later become his husband. The two moved to Omaha in 2010 and Jones began his ministry at First Central Congregational Church, a congregation that has embraced and accepted him. Wasting no time before diving into LGBTQ+ politics in Nebraska, Jones worked as part of the Equal Omaha Coalition, which lobbied successfully in 2012 for the passage of Omaha's LGBT Equal Employment Ordinance. As a member of Heartland Clergy for Inclusion, Jones coordinated the #ReadyToMarry campaign, and co-authored the Heartland Proclamation, a statement published by local clergy members affirming and welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals into their ministry. In 2009, Dr. Jones was the recipient of the Torch Award from Cimarron Alliance Foundation, and in 2011 he received the PFLAG Flag Bearer Award.</p>
<p>After a long and arduous process of trying to adopt a child, Jones and his husband Michael adopted their son, Sebastian, in 2015. The three currently reside in Omaha. Jones' forthcoming book, <em>Open: A Memoir of Faith, Family and Sexuality in the Heartland </em>comes out in August 2018.</p>
<strong>Interview Notes</strong><br /><br />Some coughing and paper rustling can be heard.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018 February 9
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries
Relation
A related resource
LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection finding aid available at <a href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/604</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
mp3
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
audio
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
UNO-0240_Scott-Jones
audio
LGBTQ
Oral History
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Physical Object
An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
EAGLE Regional Award of Merit to Terry Sweeney, 1996
Subject
The topic of the resource
Awards
Employee Association for Gays & Lesbians
USWest
Description
An account of the resource
Photograph of an award given to Terry Sweeney by EAGLE (Employee Association for Gays & Lesbians). The plaque is rectangular in shape and made of wood with a pink face and white type. Item has some scratches on front side.
Award reads, "EAGLE - Employee Association for Gays & Lesbians - A USWest Resource Group - Presents Terry Sweeney The 1996 EAGLE Regional Award of Merit - Presented in recognition and appreciation of your outstanding contributions to EAGLE's goals and aspirations. 8th Annual Regional Conference - Seattle Washington - May 17, 1996."
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Employee Association for Gays & Lesbians (EAGLE)
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Terry Sweeney and Pat Phalen Papers, Archives & Special Collections, Criss Library, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
May 17, 1996
Relation
A related resource
Terry Sweeney and Pat Phalen Papers finding aid at: <a title="finding aid" href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/558" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/558</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Plaques
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Item was loaned to Criss Library Archives & Special Collections for photographing.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MSS0077_obj_012
award
EAGLE
LGBTQ
Terry Sweeney
-
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Physical Object
An inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. Note that digital representations of, or surrogates for, these objects should use Moving Image, Still Image, Text or one of the other types.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The New Voice Award to Pat Phalen, 1998
Subject
The topic of the resource
Awards
The New Voice of Nebraska
Description
An account of the resource
Photograph of an award given to Pat Phalen by The New Voice of Nebraska in February 1998. Award is rectangular and made of wood with a gold face and black type. Designed and produced by Graphic Concepts in Omaha, NE. Minor scratches on front side.
Award reads, "February 1998 - The New Voice of Nebraska - Special Recognition Presented to Pat Phalen - For your many contributions to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community as shown by your dedication and service to the New Voice of Nebraska - February 1, 1998."
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
The New Voice of Nebraska
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Terry Sweeney and Pat Phalen Papers, Archives & Special Collections, Criss Library, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
February 1, 1998
Relation
A related resource
Terry Sweeney and Pat Phalen Papers finding aid at: <a title="finding aid" href="https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/558" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://archives.nebraska.edu/repositories/4/resources/558</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Plaque
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Item was loaned to Criss Library Archives & Special Collections for photographing.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MSS0077_obj_011
award
LGBTQ
New Voice of Nebraska
Pat Phalen