https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/22875/archive/files/0ff12e28ff3cf8488d16a72633cf17f9.jpg?Expires=1789603200&Signature=aJELqZkkBrWUAWjDVvzZfr49%7Eap1zFGEql-Jxm7kXs8wA7s-0L2WFbfaPvp3BQ97k5IxJK7bTP3aSY48s6hkmluuzk5XjwaYZ%7EouIYRgX%7ElIpK9HgzyvwLieo7MI-UTMGx0NV6q9c9E3-SyLEqE0bmAV%7EGuUZRZi6xDzBdrLC%7EwsXjw7cC59usgaBXQIZIWGqXMY4cjeY-XLLCqjHb5P6dB4yQbu9CMMvAipwXk5aCNdozJ8AT9htLpQmBlUUMGbJ-RCJqxIcwJLEc4p41RLi6B4tJk22uAyNMuzZW5afGR1Dhi42Yj7nFvS2hVXECpBiwNagH4PP-hDi8bzhNyZgA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 1e9b1f98ac0357dc9a27394fc8947de3 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 Tommy Young-Dennis Duration Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.) 01:22:37 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 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 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> 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. Biographical Sketch 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. 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. 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. Interview Summary 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Interview Notes Trigger warning for discussion of suicide and death. 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