LGBTQ+ Voices: Interview with Antonio Jackson
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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.
Biographical Sketch
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). 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.
In 2017, Jackson earned his BA in Youth/Family Services and Administration at Purdue University Global, and in 2019, began working toward his MS in Human Services.
As of August 2019, Jackson lives in Omaha with his boyfriend, Tyler.
Interview Summary
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.
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.
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. 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.
In 2017, Jackson earned his BA in Youth/Family Services and Administration at Purdue University Global, and in 2019, began working toward his MS in Human Services.
As of August 2019, Jackson lives in Omaha with his boyfriend, Tyler.
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.
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