Portia, September 24, 1978 (Tape 1)

Lesbian Bars, Lesbian and Gay Experience, Lesbian Community--New York (State)--New York, Lesbian Herstory Archives, Lesbianism, Lesbians Abuse of, Lesbians--United States--History, Lesbians--United States--Identity, Lesbians--United States--Interviews, Oral history interview, Lesbian couples, Lesbian physical education teachers, Lesbian teenagers

The gay movement has taken the lesbian community out of the bars or the "gay underworld," as compared to when she came out in the late 1960s, about 10 years prior to the interview. Portia, age 26, is not out at her job, but is known as a feminist and civil rights activist; her sister is openly homosexual. She talks about her early sexual experiences with girls and how she never felt guilty or different, but felt guilty with boys because of her Catholic upbringing. Her father beat Portia after she went out with her lover, and then she moved out of home at 18. She attended university and discusses her relationships and friendships in college, as well as her relationship with her first lover, who is still her partner, and their infidelities.

Portia (Interviewee)

Madeline Davis (Interviewer)

Original= Cassette Tape

WAV

MP3

Side A = 45:55 minutes

Side B = 45:50 minutes

Digital reproduction of audio cassette.

English

Sound

Oral History Interview

SPW494

Lesbian Herstory Archives, Contact Designation: Maxine Wolfe, Contact Address: 484 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215, Phone Number: 718-768-3953