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Simone de Beauvoir discusses the art of writing
Recorded in Paris with Studs Terkel, Simone de Beauvoir describes her philosophies of life and writing her memoirs, discussing: her childhood upbringing in Catholic school, dynamics with her parents, artistic influences in her life, the experience of being a woman writer, and wartime. -
The Lesbian in Literature - Episode 3 of 4
This tape contains the third panel from the Gay Academic Union Conference at NYU, the "Lesbian in Literature" Panel. Panelists are Janet Cooper, speaking on female crushes and friendships in children's literature, and Cynthia Secor, speaking about Gertrude Stein and James Joyce. The moderator was Virginia Caputo.
Janet describes that the first room in a library targeted specifically for children was in the Pratt Library in Brooklyn in 1895. The librarian Anne Carole Moore worked there, and would become a very influential children's librarian. She speaks on the monopoly of children's literature in publishing and book awards, with Anne Carole Moore at the center due to her connections with other powerful librarians. Since Anne Carole Moore's appointment, child friendships and friend crushes in literature have disappeared. The removal of content in library books where children physically touched each other, Janet says, was a direct result of the fear of lesbianism.
Cynthia Secor speaks about Gertrude Stein and James Joyce. She asserts that Stein is an oft-overlooked figure in literature. Gertrude Stein was a sort of hidden figure, while James Joyce was taught everywhere. Stein was read by many lesbian women, but Cynthia did not read Stein until she joined the lesbian community. Cynthia reads a passage by Stein, "Cow come out...", discusses Stein's novella, Q.E.D., and her "Patriarchal Poetry" essay. -
Marilyn Coffey
Irene Yarrow hosts writer and poet Marilyn Coffey on the show Everywomanspace. The program starts with Marilyn reading several of her poems: "Insight," "The Diet," "Wordlessly," and "Observation." Irene and Marilyn discuss Marilyn's brief career in journalism and development as a writer, and the writing of her novel, Marcella, a coming-of-age story. Marilyn then reads an excerpt from Marcella.
After the excerpt, Marilyn Coffey explains the projects she has been working on more recently--her second novel, books of essays, and teaching English at Pratt Institute. Irene and Marilyn discuss the difficulties of switching between various forms of writing, like poetry vs. prose vs. non-fiction. Marilyn also reflects on how joining the Women's Movement and becoming a feminist has changed her writing and the reception of her writing. They discuss how deeply ingrained the patriarchy is in their lives and consciousnesses. Marilyn reads a final poem, "Cold," to end the program. -
Victoria Brownworth Speaks with Bertha Harris
Victoria Brownworth interviews author Bertha Harris in an episode of Amazon Country. Bertha discusses how writing has been a means of freedom and escape for her, and how she would like fiction to help define what it means to be a lesbian. They also explore whether and how the patriarchy has an impact on what women write. They ruminate on the overlap between politics and art. -
13th Moon: Marilyn Hacker and Grace Paley
Presented in the Women's Studies series, this episode contains poetry readings by Marilyn Hacker, an editor for feminist literary magazine 13th Moon, and poet Grace Paley. -
The Deadly Nightshade: Pamela Brandt and Helen Hooke Speak about the Nightshade and Women's Music
This episode of The Women's Music Hour contains an interview with Pamela Brandt and Helen Hooke, who make up one of the first American all female bands, The Deadly Nightshade. -
It's a Jungle Out There: Jan Alpert Speaks with Rita Mae Brown and reads from her Books
Jan Alpert and Rita Mae Brown discuss Rita Mae's career path and motivations outside of being a writer, as well as her involvement as a street organizer in the women's and gay rights movements. Occasionally throughout the interview, Jan will read excerpts from Rubyfruit Jungle, Rita Mae's first novel, and In Her Day, Rita Mae's second novel. While discussing In Her Day, they cover the lessons Rita Mae learned from writing it. -
The Varied Voices of Black Women
Donna Allegra hosts members of The Varied Voices of Black Women, a touring poetry and music production, on The Lesbian Show. Guests include poet Pat Parker, singer and percussionist Linda Tillery, pianist Mary Watkins and Gwen Avery. -
Mischief Mime
On this episode of The Velvet Sledgehammer, Donna Allegra interviews members of Mischief Mime, a two woman theater troupe from Ithaca, New York. Mischief Mime tours and teaches nationally to prove artists can make it outside of the larger cities. -
Poetry Series: Rosemary Cappello + Barbara Ruth Read Their Poetry
In this episode of Women's Consciousness Raising Hour, the first poet Rosemary Cappello reads a mixture of original poems and poems from friends and other notable poets, surrounding the theme of correspondence. Rosemary views correspondence as the most faithful way to show affection and grow closer with other poets. She also reads a poem that she wrote, in place of an angry letter, to respond to an anti-feminist book review.
The second poet, Barbara Ruth, opens with a poems about her awe for life: her experience knowing and being close to other women, seeing a solar eclipse. Her poems discuss women's issues, specifically, the tension between being a woman and having intense or maddening emotions, and the tensions women have with men. Her poems frequently invoke the power of women and call for a revolution. Furthermore, Barbara grapples with issues of valuing some lives over others, witnessing suffering, narcissism, and simple wanting. She also reads poems about her mother. -
Disquieting Muses and Women on Trial:
The Forbidden Texts of the Three MariasFor this episode of All Night Sunday with the Radio On, Suzan Shown interviews the cast and creator of Disquieting Muses: A Response to the Suicides of Women Artists, discussing the feeling of obligation to find a man, get married, and otherwise fulfill the role of what a woman is supposed to be.
Episode includes a reading of an untitled poem by Marilyn Monroe. Features a recording of Women on Trial: The Forbidden Texts of the Three Marias, a one-night only performance about the case of three women authors who wrote against Portugal's dictatorship and were subsequently put on trial. -
Disquieting Muses: A Response to the Suicide of Women Artists
Suzan Shown interviews the cast and creator of the theater show Disquieting Muses: A Response to the Suicides of Women Artists, which examines suicides among women artists. -
Viv Sutherland Speaks with Myrna Lamb about Her New Play
Myrna Lamb guest stars on Women's Studies to talk about her new play, Apple Pie. Apple Pie is a musical theater piece about a woman's life in Nuremberg. The play grapples with issues of moral truths and internal and external judgement. Myrna and Viv also discuss the difficulties and complexities of being a woman playright, and various ways that the play attempts to tackle sexism, racism, and anti-semitism in society. They also discuss Myrna's run-ins with male directors in theater and the complex feelings people have about male directors directing women's stories. -
Dyketactics!
(Side A) Victoria Brownworth opens this episode of Amazon Country by announcing that an Amazon Country employee lost her house, belongings and pets to a fire, so they're starting a collection for her through the Women's Cultural Trust. Various other announcements regard upcoming events, a lesbian support group, and the council elections at the Gay Community Center.
Roberta Hacker interviews Linda Norwood and Sherrie Cohen of 'Dyketactics!' to discuss their lawsuit against the police, the first time in history that lesbians have sued the police for brutality, excessive force, and harrassment. This lawsuit regards police action on December 4, 1975, when 'Dyketactics!' (and other groups) attended a (Philadelphia) city council meeting to help urge passing of the "Gay Rights Bill" by the committee. Philadelphia's Civil Defense Squad immediately approached and used excessive force against the women, prompting 'Dyketactics!' to file a lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia for lesbophobic police brutality. Linda and Sherrie encourage women to attend the trial in order to support them. They also ask for feedback so that they can better represent and stand up for the lesbian community. When Victoria asks what they hope to get out of the trial, 'Dyketactics!' dsecribes their hopes to raise consciousness around the need for gay rights.
(Side B) Linda and Sherrie discuss the positive reception they've had regarding the trial, and announce that there will be a community meeting hosted by 'Dyketactics!' to discuss the disbursement of the (potential) compensation from the lawsuit into the lesbian community. -
Gay Community Center
(Side A) Victoria Brownworth this episode of Amazon Country with announcements regarding lesbian and feminist groups and organizations. Roberta Hacker interviews Arleen Olshan of the Gay Community Center. Arleen notes that lesbians are underrepresented in decision-making, policy development and program coordination, and the GCC would benefit from more lesbian involvement. They discuss lesbian separatism (especially relating to how few women are involved with the GCC). Arleen announces upcoming events at the GCC including various lectures by authors and activists, as well as consciousness-raising groups and educational classes. (Continues onto side B) Arleen encourages lesbians to check out the center because they "might be surprised" by the level of feminism that exists within the gay male community.
Includes an ad for the Bicentennial Women's Center. -
Black Women in the Arts
Speakers self-describe the show as "a tape of six creative Black women discussing the media portrayal of Black women and their confrontation of racism and sexism." Originally recorded during the "Black Women in the Arts" Workshop at the National Alliance of Black Feminists conference held in Chicago, October 21-23 [1975]. Broadcast in an episode of Everywomanspace.
(On side A) Darlene Hayes (Phil Donahue Show) discusses media portrayal. Margaret Walker Alexander (poet) discusses the problems facing the Black woman writer. Mari Evans (poet) discusses her experience as a Black woman writer. (Panel continues on side B) Carolyn Marie Rodgers (poet) also discusses her experience as a Black woman writer. Two additional panelists are featured, but their names could not be deciphered. -
Interview with Marge Piercy
On this episode of Everywomanspace, Irene Yarrow interviews poet and author Marge Piercy. Marge discusses her book "Woman on the Edge of Time" and (side B) reads her poems "To Be of Use" and " Living in the Open." -
A Woman's Place - Kate Millett Speaks About Sita
(Side A) Viv Sutherland welcomes listeners to The Velvet Sledgehammer and announces that the show's program will include "Hot Flashes," women's news from "Majority Report"; a story on "A Woman's Place" produced by Irene Yarrow; and an interview of author Kate Millett about her book Sita (1976) conducted by Judy Pasternak and Viv Sutherland.
The first segment is "Hot Flashes," a women's news report announced by Nancy Borman. Topics covered include: an "anti-wedding" event sponsored by Majority Report to discuss the sexist details of marriage contracts, Valerie Solanas reprinting Scum Manifesto after the original publisher went out of business and the copyright reverted to her, New York's announcement of plans for a large-scale Women's Rights rally, events for Lesbian Pride Week, and a bill to legalize abortion in Italy.
Irene Yarrow then introduces a tape about "A Woman's Place," a feminist collective in upstate New York that has existed for three years but is now in danger of closing due to lack of support. Irene recorded this tape at "A Woman's Place" and features women's songs, poetry and feelings about what the retreat has meant to them. The recording begins at 19:25 and continues onto side B. Irene announces that women interested in learning about "A Woman's Place" or contributing to save it can contact her. She attributes the music in the recording to Ruth Pelham, and the poetry to Erica Silver.
Kate Millet guest stars in the last segment, discussing her new autobiographical novel, Sita, with Judy Pasternak and Viv Sutherland. Kate describes the plot of Sita as "the plotline of the woman destroyed." She rebuffs "malicious" reviews that called her work either "icky" and "pukey" or "pornographic" for being queer. She considers these reviews to be motivated by bigotry. Kate recounts that a major motivation in writing Sita was to describe the loss of a lover, which she felt does not exist in any other book. She says she wanted to "write a very musical and very romantic book in praise of love: in praise, even, of its melancholy and possible futility." Kate also discusses hoping for "company" in writing "these kinds of books," but that she is alone in having to "take abuse" for them. With Judy Pasternak and Viv Sutherland, Kate Millett reflects on activism and efforts to dismantle the patriarchy. The interview closes with discussion of Kate's visual art. -
Women Writing Series - Episode 2
Irene Yarrow opens this episode of Everywomanspace with information about Lesbian Switchboard and Identity House to help listeners who want to know how to reach the gay community. She recommends these organizations and coming-out groups, along with consciousness-raising groups, for any woman who wants to get together with other women to discuss issues relating to feminism or lesbianism.
Irene interviews Jan Clausen, a poet and writer from Oregon who reads her short story, "The Warsaw Ghetto." Irene and Jan discuss autobiographical writing, the experience of writing about friends and acquaintances, incorporating the political into personal writing, and receiving feedback as a writer. They also debate the question of whether feminist and lesbian writers should publish with women's presses or commercial presses, prompted by a questionnaire Jan sent to a number of lesbian writers, which she describes as her "writing community." Finally, Irene asks Jan if she feels that her stories with "lesbian content" limit her to a lesbian audience. Both hope that all women would be interested in women's content, regardless of sexuality. Jan also reads her poems, "The Christmas Letter" and "This is a Poem for You, Mary."
Irene also takes questions from callers (side B) including a woman asking for advice on how to find resources to respond to her younger sister coming out and a woman who wanted to share her opinion that publishing through women's presses will be the only option when the women's movement "goes out of vogue." -
An Evening with Anaïs Nin - interviewed by Judy Chicago
Part 4 of the Women in the Arts series, introduced by the director of Drama and Literature at KPFK, Clare Spark Loeb. Judy Chicago hosts and interviews author Anaïs Nin on the subjects of feminist literature and women's liberation. They discuss a disagreement they previously had about anger and women's liberation. Anaïs also reads from and discusses her book, Fourth Diary. -
Pleasure by Barbara Barracks
Author Barbara Barracks is interviewed on the show Prose, produced by Sharon Martin. Barbara reads Chapter 10 of her novel Pleasure. -
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Seneca Women's Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice - Tape 5
An interview with two women discussing the history of women's peace camps, ecofeminism, and issues of ethnocentricity among non-indigenous activists, particularly among white activists who believe they "know how to do things." Interviewees also discuss restorative land justice and “The Mountain,” a survival camp hosted by Native Americans that teaches indigenous traditions. The video is interrupted by static for the first 16 seconds, as well as from 2:30-6:11 due to the physical condition of the tape. -
Seneca Women's Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice - Tape 6
Footage of a demonstration that took place outside of the main gates of the Seneca Army Depot, in which a group of women wearing white fabric and fake blood wail and rattle the chainlink gate as guards look on. A group of women beat on small paddle drums and hum behind them.
Interviews in Tape 3 of this collection describe the experience and meaning behind the demonstration. -
A Lesbian Portrait (Lesbian Music For Lesbians Only) - Reel 2
A Lesbian Portrait consists of songs written by Linda Shear from 1972-1975. Shear, who requested that audiences for her performances be exclusively lesbian beginning in 1976, aimed to distribute A Lesbian Portrait through Lesbian-only networks. To support this goal, Shear and her then-partner Tryna Hope formed the distribution company Old Lady Blue Jeans. The album was released in 1977.
Read the liner notes.
2-1: Well Story – Spoken and Written by Tryna
2-2: Well Song
2-3: Old Woman
2-4: Song to Myself/Portrait
2-5: Family of Women
2-6: Lesbian Wombmoon-Chant -
A Lesbian Portrait (Lesbian Music For Lesbians Only) - Reel 1
A Lesbian Portrait consists of songs written by Linda Shear from 1972-1975. Shear, who requested that audiences for her performances be exclusively lesbian beginning in 1976, aimed to distribute A Lesbian Portrait through Lesbian-only networks. To support this goal, Shear and her then-partner Tryna Hope formed the distribution company Old Lady Blue Jeans. The album was released in 1977.
Read the liner notes.
1-1: Mama / Womanchild
1-2: Goddesses And Other Truths
1-3: Woman Let Go Now
1-4: For Tryna
1-5: Ninety
1-6: Remember -
Karen Thompson Interview - Tape 5
This tape is part of a 5-part series interviewing Karen Thompson regarding her legal struggles to secure guardianship of her comatose partner, Sharon Kowalski. (Note: Tape 1 is missing)
In Tape 5, Karen discusses the physical and mental toll her legal battles have had on her, including the struggles she has experienced with Kowalski's family, particularly the pressure to be "perfect" to prevent the courts from using any mistakes against her.
Karen also talks about her relationship with Sharon before the incident, as well as the distance she felt that she needed to create between herself and her colleagues and students to prevent her outing, which could lead to the loss of her job. -
Karen Thompson Interview - Tape 4
This tape is part of a 5-part series interviewing Karen Thompson regarding her legal struggles to secure guardianship of her comatose partner, Sharon Kowalski. (Note: Tape 1 is missing)
In Tape 4, Karen talks about her relationship with religion and her church, her belief that coming out is an important step in normalizing homosexuality, and her struggles against homophobia from medical professionals. -
Karen Thompson Interview - Tape 3
This tape is part of a 5-part series interviewing Karen Thompson regarding her legal struggles to secure guardianship of her comatose partner, Sharon Kowalski. (Note: Tape 1 is missing)
Tape 3 primarily consists of Karen recounting her legal struggles with Sharon’s parents regarding Sharon’s guardianship. Karen also discusses how it felt coming out to her parents. -
Karen Thompson Interview - Tape 2
This tape is part of a 5-part series interviewing Karen Thompson regarding her legal struggles to secure guardianship of her comatose partner, Sharon Kowalski. (Note: Tape 1 is missing)
In Tape 2, Karen begins to describe her legal dispute with Sharon’s parents over guardianship and the emotions she felt during the process. Karen recounts the difficulties of coming out to her own family and Sharon’s parents, as well as her fear of a legal dispute over Sharon's guardianship outing her to the public. -
Seneca Women's Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice - Tape 4
Three interviews with women who participated in the “Seneca Women's Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice“ protest. The interviews touch on the women's experiences of being detained, their mistreatment under the hands of the Seneca Army Postmen, and their reasons for participating in civil disobedience. -
Seneca Women's Encampment for a Future of Peace and Justice - Tape 3
[00:00-15:26] Video begins with a protest/ceremony outside the Seneca Army Depot, a military-industrial complex in Seneca, New York.
[15:39-22:52] Following the demonstration, the video cuts to an interview in which two participants explain the importance and objective of their ceremony and the purpose of their "wailing," which was meant to imagine and express the agony of victims and those threatened by nuclear war. -
The Lesbian Avengers Eat Fire, Too
[Description from the Lesbian Avengers]
The Lesbian Avengers Eat Fire, Too offers a look at the New York group's first year, from their initial demonstration in front of an elementary school in '92 to the Dyke March in DC, where the Avengers ate fire in front of the White House, cheered on by an enormous crowd.
The video supplements footage of actions with portraits of real-life Avengers still giddy with their first experiences of taking to the streets as out dykes, as well as interviews with puzzled tourists trying to answer the question, "Who are the Lesbian Avengers?"
Edited by two Avengers, videomaker Janet Baus, and experimental filmmaker, Su Friedrich, the video was a group effort, with a number of Avengers contributing.
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The Lesbian Avenger employed fire eating as an act of protest as a response to arson attacks against gays and lesbians who had been killed by Molotov cocktails thrown into their homes. -
Tampa TV Coverage (Tape 2)
Compilation of news coverage from '10 Tampa Bay' of protests organized by the Lesbian Avengers responding to the burning of a trailer belonging to lesbian and HIV advocate Dee DeBerry.
Sections:
- "Why are these lesbian activists eating fire?" [00:38-02:47]
- Tampa Hate Rally: The Lesbian Avengers and other groups [03:07-03:46]
- Gay activists who call themselves Lesbian Avengers [04:07-04:52]
- Temple University News Taping [05:01-14:47]
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Lesbian Avengers Dyke March Promo / HomoTeens: Portraits of Lesbian and Gay Teenagers
The first 2 minutes are a promotional video for the first annual Dyke Pride March at Bryant Park in June, 1993, featuring footage from the DC Dyke Pride March in April 1993, which includes lesbians marching in the streets, chanting, dancing, and fire-eating.
After, there are several minutes of solid stills featuring text appearing to be the names of individuals featured in the project "HomoTeens: Portraits of Lesbian and Gay Teenagers" by Joan Jubela. The footage features clippings of an article written about Henry, a young gay man, in People magazine that outed him to his mother. From 11:50-13:45, Henry talks about the conversations with his parents after the article was published, wherein his father was accepting but his mother was very upset. -
Cathay Che’s Performance at Dixon Place
Video recording of a spoken word performance art piece put on by Cathay Che at Dixon Place for an audience. Date of performance unknown. -
Mary Daly Lecture / Unidentified Dance
Tape is divided into two sections.
In the first section, radical feminist and theologian Mary Daly lectures about misogyny in the medical field, including the widespread use of Hormone Replacement Therapy for menopausal women and the increased risk of cancer associated with the birth control pill. She also informs her audience about the career of surgeon James Burt who, for approximately 30 years, reconstructed women’s genitalia after childbirth, often without consent, thinking that they were poorly designed for sexual pleasure.
The second section of the tape, which is in poor condition and has soft focus, features a woman performing a dance. -
Speaking to the Future: 1978 Lesbian Regional Conference (Tape 2)
Part 2 of interviews addressed to "lesbians of the future" conducted by the Lesbian Herstory Archives at the 1978 Lesbian Regional Conference. Among the subjects discussed in the interviews include coming out, lesbian bars, racism against lesbians of color, representations of violence against women, feminism, and older lesbians. -
Speaking to the Future: 1978 Lesbian Regional Conference (Tape 1)
Part 1 of interviews addressed to "lesbians of the future" conducted by the Lesbian Herstory Archives at the 1978 Lesbian Regional Conference. Among the subjects discussed in the interviews include coming out, lesbian fashion, older lesbians, chosen names, homophobia, and racism against lesbians of color. -
Performance Theatre Troupe / Gathering (Tape 2)
The tape is divided into two sections.
The first section of the tape contains Act 3 of "The Performance" (6 min), a one-woman play by the Performance Theatre Troupe from Iowa City. The play centers around Effy, a 17-year-old lesbian and musician who must make a decision about her life.
Following "The Performance," the tape cuts to a gathering of lesbians sitting outside, playing guitar, singing, and reading. -
Performance Theatre Troupe (Tape 1)
A video of a one-woman play by the Performance Theatre Troupe from Iowa City. The place centers around Effy, a 17-year-old lesbian and musician who must make a decision about her life.
The three-act play takes place over a single day. Act 1 follows Effy in the afternoon, in her bedroom, before going to a piano recital she is involved in. Act 2 takes after the piano recital. Act 3 takes place later that night after Effy has been thinking about her life.
Tape 1 includes Acts 1 & 2. -
Honoring Lesbian-Queer Archiving: Online-Talk with Joan Nestle
A talk with Joan Nestle, co-founder of the Lesbian Herstory Archive, about the history and importance of lesbian archives and queer archives, along with her personal history. The discussion covers many topics in Joan's life and current activities within lesbian archives. -
It Can Be Done: Chicago Women's Graphic Collective
A video about the relationships and bonds among members of the Women's Graphics Collective. The Collective produced posters addressing the struggles of the women's movement and other political movements, including the United Farm Workers organized a boycott on non-union lettuce and grape farmers. -
Womansphere Hour, October 18, 1974
Taped radio program for the lesbian community. -
Feminist Workshop, March 14, 1971
Recorded discussion regarding the defining features of lesbianism and the lesbian identity. -
Feminist Workshop, February 18, 1971
Recorded discussion regarding what constitutes a lesbian and lesbian identity writ large. -
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Mabel Hampton Interview
This oral history interview begins with the title card “Our Faces Our Voices Our Words” and that the video is sponsored by The Lesbian Herstory Educational Foundation Inc. Mabel Hampton talks about her life story, including memories of her childhood, lesbian friendships, and romantic relationships. The video ends with her singing, starting at 00:42:27. -
St. Paul's Church Lesbian Pride Week Concert, June 26, 1976
Concert held at St Paul's Church on the occasion of Lesbian Pride Week. Also includes the announcement of the site, details and regulations for a later rally. -
The Heat Is On Miss Saigon
Interviews and speeches from the demonstration at the Broadway opening of Miss Saigon organized by a coalition called "The Heat Is On 'Miss Saigon': Coaltion to End Racism and Sexism on Broadway". -
Reeves Interview (Tape 4)
Interview with Mount Holyoke student Reeves on her experiences taking Barbara Smith's class. -
Reeves Interview (Tape 3)
Interview with Mount Holyoke student Reeves on her experiences taking Barbara Smith's class. -
Meeka Interview (Tape 2)
Interview with 19 year-old Mount Holyoke student Meeka on her experiences with taking Barbara Smith's class. She talks about Black Feminist analysis, colorism, and intersectional feminism. -
Meeka Interview (Tape 1)
Interview with 19 year-old Mount Holyoke student Meeka on the structure of and experiences in Barbara Smith's class. She highlights a presentation on “Homegirls”and talks about discussions in the class surrounding culture and experiences of women of color. -
Keep Your Laws Off My Body
Black and white recorded documentary video exploring themes of Lesbian relationships, the AIDS pandemic and the criminalization of LGBTQ+ media. -
Barbara Smith Classroom Discussion (Tape 7)
Recorded classroom discussion focusing on a fictional story about lesbians and the erotic. Continuation of #6. Location uncertain. -
Barbara Smith Classroom Discussion (Tape 6)
Recorded classroom discussion focusing on a fictional story about lesbians and the erotic. Continuation of #5. Location uncertain. -
Barbara Smith Classroom Discussion (Tape 5)
Recorded classroom discussion focusing on a fictional story about lesbians and the erotic. Location uncertain. -
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Lambda Legal Forum, 1982
This video depicts a panel discussion between Rosalyn Richter, the then Executive Director and attorney for Lambda Legal, and Rhonda Copelon, the then an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights and law professor at CUNY Law School moderated by David A.J. Richards, a teacher of Constitutional Law and Legal Philosophy at NYU School of Law .
The speakers discuss values and gay rights issues through the context of individual choice versus choice that brings harm. Richter and Copelon discuss and answer questions about Roe v. Wade and housing for queer youth. The video then cuts to a document entitled "Anti Gay Legislation: an Attempt to Sanction Inequality." An individual then holds up a Lambda document entitled “Court Approves Gay Adoption.” -
Tiny Davis Interview
A portion of the 1988 documentary entitled "Tiny & Ruby: Hell Divin' Women", which was made by Jezebel Productions as a tribute to Tiny Davis and Ruby Lucas.
In the documentary Tiny talks about how she started playing the trumpet, moving to Kansas City and getting involved in the music scene. She travelled and played with the Harlem Play Girls and then the Sweethearts. Tiny and Ruby talk about how they met and the after hours spots in Kansas City where women could be with women. They talk about how they left Kansas City and the formation of Tiny Davis Hell Divers. Tiny says she is ready to keep working and playing even at 76 years old. Also featured in the clip is Tiny’s daughter who talks about how she enjoyed playing music with her mother for 10 or 15 years. She says there wasn’t any song requested they couldn’t play.
Note: This portion contains no audio but contains Tiny and her daughter. -
Anti-Lesbian Violence
This is a recording of assorted clippings regarding women's safety.
Note: No Audio.Tags Police Harassment -
Gay Rights Bill Council Hearings
This is a gay rights hearing with speakers arguing both in favor and opposed to the proposed bill. Those in favor urged the council to allow the parliamentary process to move forward so the bill could be debated and voted on. They argued for equality under the law and the importance of respecting the process. Those opposed expressed concerns about the bill extending homosexual rights beyond government employment, potentially affecting private schools and rentals, and equating homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle. They maintained that homosexuality is not morally or socially equal to heterosexuality. Several speakers share personal life experiences. Eleanor Cooper is featured identifying herself as a spokesperson for Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights and a member of Lesbian Feminist Liberation.
U-Matic tapes note that the recordings include the following speakers:
Harrison Goldin
Feather Keane
David Dinkins
Eleanor Cooper
Abraham Modowitz
female doctor
Gay cop
MOS audience
Interview with Pat Bond
Rabbi Dennis M
Eugenia Lee Hancock
Robert Selden (cut-off after 1 sentence) -
Women's Action Organization Rape Crisis Center Presentation, Washington D.C., November 1973
This is a panel introduced by the president of the Women's Action Organization, with the Vice President of the Department of State in attendance. The speakers (from the DC Rape Crisis Center) discuss sexual violence. They also discuss how the crisis center came to be and the services it offers, issues with legal definitions, how to protect women, medical support, and self-defense, among other topics. The first speaker is Karen Kollias (RCC co-founder). The end of this audio includes live instruction and demonstration of self-defense tactics. -
Women's Music Network Interview
Interview with Kay Gardner, executive director and co-founder of the Women's Music Network, and Lou Crimmins, performer. 1974 production of the Feminist Radio Network. Discussion of the nonprofit Women Music Network's ideals and operations supporting women in the music industry. including Lavender Jane. -
Meg Christian and Holly Near Concert (Side B)
Live recording of Meg Christian and Holly Near performing at 1976 LFF concert. Note: Poor sound quality -
Megan Christian and Holly Near Concert (Side A)
Live recording of Meg Christian and Holly Near performing at 1976 LFF concert. Note: playback speed changes so there is a brief cut in audio around the 12 min mark; poor sound quality. -
Advertisements
Opens with "Reasons" by Minnie Riperton and goes into an advertisement for Sophie's Parlor. A version of the advertisement repeats but is a blooper/is incomplete. Following this, another version of the advertisement plays. Includes sped-up song and an unknown ad, as well as "Check Out Your Mind" by Chaxayn. -
Learning to Fly, Women and Alcohol
This is a Radio Free Women episode about women and alcohol, including topics such as the societal pressures that might cause women to drink excessively. The different topics are also combined with the following songs: "Lilac Wine" by Nina Simone, "Red Wine" at Noon by Joy of Cooking, "Broke Down Girl" by Buffy Saint-Maire, "Shake Sugaree" by Elizabeth Cotten, "Leftover Wine" by Melanie, "Sunday Morning Coming Down" by Lynn Anderson, "Sweet Blindness" by Laura Nyro, and "Bye, Bye Baby" by Big Brother & The Holding Company & Janis Joplin. Nikki Giovanni's "All I Gotta Do" is also included. -
Channel 26 Show, November 30, 1971
Two radio excerpts from the Channel 26 Show.
Notes: The "right track" is muffled and indistinct, but appears to contain music and a comedy program. The "left track" contains a discussion on the topic of gay liberation. -
Lesbian Pride Week '77
Discussion at Lesbian Pride Week '77 that covers topics such as political activism.
Note: This recording suffers from poor sound quality. -
Kathy Bonk and Whitney Adams, Co-Coordinators of N.O.W. Fair (August 24, 1974)
Kathy Bonk and Whitney Adams from the National Organization for Women discuss the upcoming N.O.W. Fair on Radio Free Women. The fair will feature feminist activism, panels, political discussions, and interviews. Bonk and Adams go on to talk about other aspects of feminist political activism such as income inequality and racial discrimination. -
Unused Portion of Health Show
Discusses health administrations and hospitals disregarding women's wishes when giving birth, and taking the newborn away leaving the mother to wait for days to see the baby. The show also highlights women being rushed through birth, the instrumental nature of nurses, and complications with doctors. It focuses on connecting medicine with feminist ideology to insure legal change and rights protection. -
Robin Morgan
Robin Morgan talks about the creation of the New York Radical Women group in 1967 (20-25 women), the male Left, working on the Atlantic city pageant demonstration 1968, and publishing the "Sisterhood Is Powerful: An Anthology of Writings from the Women's Liberation Movement" in 1970. She then reads a poem and uses poetry as a political tool, as well as asserts that the Women's Movement is fostering relations between different strata of US society. Morgan advocates for women to take control legally, health-wise, and become an international force. She states that rape and pornography affect all women and she depicts women as the largest and longest subjugated people. The Women's Movement will continue to prosper. -
Leadership and Class
A discussion about the differences and challenges of the women's movement by various women. Personality, class tension, diversity, stereotyping, group identity, ideas of leadership are debated. The tension between lower class women and middleclass women is described in terms of leadership styles. Lower class women have a strong female role models to grow up with, this lacks completely for the middle class women. Action is perceived as a negative male trait by the middle class women, who are not used to take action but rather prefer moderation and security. -
Sophie's Parlor
Radio Free Women/ Sophie's Parlor episode about rape in terms of legal representation and shortcomings, poor and prejudiced treatment of rape victims. Audio is poor at times. The discussion focuses on the need to implement legal changes to how rape is understood through hearings and testimonies that are very difficult experience for the rape victims. They point out the sexist, classist, and racial discriminations against victims of sexual assault (such as victims having to pay for their medical expenses after forensic collection). They talked about the availability of the Rape Crisis Center to help women in need. -
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Drunk Tape
Radio Free Women episode about "class and culture and how it applies to the women's movement". Opens with "Good Morning Heartache" by Diana Ross. Actual audio is an interview of performing duo. A majority of the audio is consists of casual conversation amongst friends. -
From an Old House in Char[?]
Live performance of a variety of songs, including covers of "Imagine my Surprise" by Holly Near and "Take it Easy" by the EaglesTags Music -
Coalition of Labor Union Women #1
This is the same discussion as CoalitionofLaborUnionWomen_2, but without the additional music conversation. The CLUW interview also has additional questions (at around minute 21): "How can women get in touch with you?" and "How many women are involved in the DC chapter of CLUW?"
Note: Audio has static throughout -
Women's Political Education Coalition with Carol Rogers
Carol Rogers is interviewed on the broad goals and current policy interests of the Women's Political Education Coalition. Discussed topics include the 1974 Washington D.C. mayoral election, childcare, employment, the minimum wage, Crime, Women's Health, and Title 34. -
Back Alley Theatre
Elaine Heffernan (director) and Jo Meyer (lighting design) are interviewed about their work with Back Alley Theatre on "The Independent Female, or A Man Has His Pride" and "Eve Has Not Been in Paradise Yet." They discuss the state of theater in relation to feminism, politics, and social consciousness.
Note: Some parts of this tape suffer from water damage and are difficult to hear. -
Women's Businesses
An episode of Radio Free Women in which four businesswomen discuss their work. Interviewees include (but are not limited to) Susan Sojourner of First Things First, a fe-mail order house for books for women and Sue Sasser, an auto mechanic. -
Timeless Teachings of Tarot
John Cox introduces a radio show on KCRW in which psychic Tamara Hearsay [sp?] gives an astrological forecast for Aries and answers letters from the audience. -
Coalition of Labor Union Women #2
This interview/discussion opens with "Frontier" by Cris Williamson. Pat Strand and Linda Osbourne are interviewed about the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) conference. They talk about how the women's unions and the coalition got their start. The effects of the conference on local unions is also talked about. The CLUW episode ends at 27 minutes. Note: At 27:20 the audio cuts to the middle of a conversation about women in music and the different challenges that are faced in male-dominated music spaces. -
Women In Athletics (Tape 2)
Audio opens with live coverage of women's tennis, moves on to women's athletics discussion with Billie Jean King. Discrimination against women in tennis and athletics overall is a main focus, centering specifically on pay disparities and lack of social support for participation in sports at all ages. -
Women In Athletics (Tape 1)
Women are interviewed about their experiences in sports, feminism in spots, and the struggles that women face when playing sports seriously at any level. This includes brief interview with Olympic swimmer Melissa Belote following 1972 Olympic wins, and ends with Althea Gibson introduction. -
Union of Democratic Filipinos
Interview with Representatives of the Union of Democratic Filipinos at protest against Miss Universe pageant being held in the Philippines as well the Marcos regime and increasing US involvement in Filipino affairs -
Irene Young Demo Tape
Irene Young music demo tape. Vocals by Stefanie Saldana and Judith Skolnik. Track Listing: 1. The Lie / 2. Sad Song / 3. It's Good to Meet You / 4. Pleasin' ManTags Music -
Cris Williamson, Singer
Cris Williamson talks about her music and plays some songs on guitar.
Note: The tape suffers from water damage which has made parts difficult to hear and which causes some drop-outs. -
Audition Tape
Collected Auditions for Radio Free Women: Interview with Robin Morgan, Interview and poetry readings with [???] and Rita May Brown, discussion of D.C. rape hearings with selected poets from Washington D.C. Rape Crisis center, Excerpt from 1972 Radio Free Women Collage show "Waitresses". Excerpt from 1973 Collage show "Advertising"
Audio fades out and in at several points. -
Lesbian Style Project: Mariya Gorkhover
Alaina Zulli interviews Mariya Gorkhover. They discuss her family, coming out to her parents, how her style has evolved with her sexuality, how she believes she is perceived, and how she would like to be perceived (based upon her looks). -
Lesbian Style Project: Courtney Vance
Alaina Zulli interviews Courtney Vance, who now goes by Thomas. Vance discusses growing up, coming out, and current stylistic choices and experiences. -
Lesbian Style Project: Fumio Ichikawa (Disc 2)
Alaina Zulli interviews Fumio Ichikawa, part two. She reflects on her experiences of xenophobia and colonialism, particularly in the context of the six month university exchange program that she spent in London. Then, she reflects on how she came to understand her lesbian identity, the tensions between Japanese cultural norms and gendered expectations and her identity as a lesbian, and how her identity is reflected in her style. -
Lesbian Style Project: Fumio Ichikawa (Disc 1)
Alaina Zulli interviews Fumio Ichikawa, part one. First she reflects on her experiences across her childhood and adolescence; she grew up in a small town in Kanagawa outside of Tokyo, and recounts her experience of class and gender in Japan. She also describes her difficulties adjusting to the culture and language in America as a young adult after her family moved to New York when she was 17 years old. -
Lesbian Style Project: Anonymous Interviewee
The interviewee recounts her experiences growing up lesbian and intersex in Brooklyn and Manhattan. She discusses the lesbian community, the ballroom scene, workplace and school bullying, and her experiences working at an urban clothing company.
The interviewee's name has been withheld at her request. -
First Black Lesbian Conference
Scan of letter distributed by planning committee members of First Black Lesbian Conference, San Francisco, 1980 -
National Black Lesbian Conference
Scan of "National Black Lesbian Conference" written by Becky Bertha originally published in PLGTF Bulletin, Volume 2, Number 8, 1980. Includes Bibliography on Black Women. -
Becoming Visible: The First Black Lesbian Conference
poster on paper -
Becoming Visible: First Black Lesbian Conference
Front and Back View of Brochure -
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“Becoming Visible: Survival for Black Lesbians”
1981 – The first conference in the eastern U.S. for Black Lesbians opens in Brooklyn, New York. It was called “Becoming Visible: Survival for Black Lesbians." -
Ruth Berman & Connie Kurtz interview with Rose Jordan, 1984
This episode of "The Lesbian Radio Show" on WBAI is an interview of Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz by Rose Jordan. The women discuss the importance of Coming Out, the adverse reactions people might have to that news, and the reaction that one might have to their own Coming Out. They talk about working on themselves and about how doing the inner work of acceptance makes it easier for them to live in a society that might not fully accept them. Ruthie and Connie share about their practice of Co-Counseling, in which people can provide emotional support for each other by deep listing. They discuss self esteem, pride, shame, and the connection between emotion and the health of our physical bodies. They encourage people to seek help should they need it.
Ruth and Connie discuss issues with unprocessed trauma and how being triggered can cause a trauma response, unconditional love and the importance of not weaponizing love, and take calls from listeners. They talk about upcoming workshops and counseling that they offer.
Songs played during the show include "I Am What I Am" by Gloria Gaynor and "She" by Holly Near
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NYPAP Oral History Interview: Maxine Wolfe and Anne Maguire
Oral History conducted by New York Preservation Archive Project in which Maxine Wolfe and Anne Maguire are interviewed. They discuss their early lives, background on their family histories, and the work as activists.
The talk about the environments they grew up in, Maxine in Brooklyn and Anne in Dublin, and their early interest in, and awareness of, politics. Anne talks about the political climate of Ireland that made her want to leave, eventually winning a green card in a lottery, and moving to New York City. Anne describes meeting Maxine at a Thanksgiving Dinner through a friend, Marie, who would eventually become her partner.
Maxine discusses her involvement in various LGBTQ and Radical organizations in NYC that lead her to ACT UP. Anne discusses being part of the founding group of ILGO, the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization, which started in 1990, and which she was part of for 10 years. She talks about ILGO's rejection from the St. Patrick's Day Parade and the publicity the group got from that.
They talk about the erasure of lesbian organizers and leadership within LGBTQ history which tends to focus on gay men, and how Lesbians had to advocate for themselves and form their own movements to be heard and to focus on Lesbian issues. They talk about Lesbian and women erasure during the AIDS crisis and how that lead them to for the Lesbian Avengers along with Ana Maria Simo, Anne-Christine D'askey, Marie Honan, and Sarah Schulman. They decided they wanted to focus on serious politics rather than cultural issues, and to not be a top-down organization. Anne and Maxine discuss the first meetings and actions of the Lesbian Avengers and talk about offering organizing help and support to other Lesbian groups around the country.
Maxine and Anne talk about the real depth of activism, and the dangerous legal and personal implications of direct actions. They discuss the importance of being part of a group and having a support structure when taking part in a direct action. Maxine talks about the learning and training and teaching that happens behind the scenes before any direct actions. They go into more detail about work they did as the Lesbian Avengers around the country, and the effect that their bottom-up structure had on small community movements.
They talk about the Alice Austen House and the fact that the Board was homophobic and hiding the queer part of that story, and work they did around protesting how the history was being handled. They discuss the importance of recovering queer histories from the 19th Century, and making gay history available to the public. Maxine talks about the role of the Lesbian Herstory Archives in preserving the history and lives of all lesbians for this reason. They talks about how visibility and survival are related for Lesbians, and the need for people to see themselves represented.
Maxine and Anne talk about seeing the fruits of their activist labor come to fruition after 25 years, and their thoughts about current acceptance of LGBTQ people as being partially related to capitalism and revenue. They discuss more recent LGBTQ history and archive projects and the celebrating of gay institutions that have survived over the past 50 years. However, through some of these projects, they are still experiencing Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender erasure and erasure of the history of every day people.
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Ruth Berman, Connie Kurtz, and Karen Thompson at the National Organization for Women Conference in San Diego, CA
"Out: One Road to Empowerment" panel moderated by Dixie Johnson from National NOW Power Through Action Conference. Panel includes Karen Thompson, Ruth Berman, and Connie Kurtz.
Side 1 Ruth starts off by singing "I Am What I Am" by Gloria Gaynor and then talks about her life and knowing she was a lesbian from a young age and her journey to get rid of the same she originally felt about her sexuality. She talks about being married and having children, being in the closet, and her early relationship with Connie. She expresses the shame she first felt when being with Connie and regretting how much time she lost being in the closet. Ruth talks about going on the Phil Donahue show and the lawsuit after being denied partner benefits for Connie by the NYC Board of Education because they weren't married. She encourages the audience to undo the damage of being brought up as heterosexual women and to come out.
At 21:40 Connie speaks and talks about being a mother and grandmother, and her relationship to her family. She talks about how abuse has been perpetuated throughout her life about working through her problems and celebrating changes. Connie shares her experience of being diagnosed with cancer and her experience trying to heal herself and going into remission.
At 38:30 Karen Thompson discusses trying to be what other people wanted throughout her early life and meeting a partner who taught her how to live and be herself. She recalls not being able to admit her sexuality to herself or her partner, the car accident that her partner was involved in, and realizing she had to come out to get through this challenging time.
Side 2 The second part of this tape is a duplicate of the audio described in "National Organization for Women (NOW) NYC - Ruth Berman and Rosemary Dempsey" -
Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz on the Michelangelo Signorile Show, 2003
Episode of the Michelangelo Signorile Show on Sirius OutQ which aired July 20, 2003 in which have Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz to talk about their life and new film “Ruthie and Connie: Every Room in the House.” At the beginning of the episode, they also talk about other people they are having on the show.
Ruth and Connie's interview starts at 10:55 and ends at 30:30. They discuss their Cotello Towers neighbohood where they met when they were both married and young mothers. There they started the "Mother's Action Committe" within their community. They talk about their own internalized homophobia at the beginning of their relaionship and their fear that they would have been found out, and the transition to feeling comfortable with themselves and their sexuality. They discuss their lawsit with the New York City Board of Education for Domestic Partnership Benifits and their apperance on the Donahue Show in 1988.
They take questions from callers which relate to being lesbian and Jewish, the community they have found there, and the importance for others around the country to find similar communities, or to create them.
After Ruth + Connie's interview the hosts discuss a NYC teen, Natalie Young, who is sueing her teacher for harasmeent over comments made about the teenagers shirt that said "Barbie is a Lesbian"and other LGBT current events. -
Ruth Berman and Rosemary Dempsey for the National Organization for Women NYC, 1991
Audio starts with Ruth Berman talking to an audience about the importance of voting as a Lesbian and as an ally, an about the importance of being political and coming out as a gay person. She touches on the role of money and legality in domestic partnerships and the need to prove them. Ruth encourages the audience to join the National Organization for Women (NOW) to amplify their voices.
10:00 mins into the tape, Rosemary Dempsey from NOW discusses the importance of legal tools to protect gay people and their families, ad how coming out is an important part of that process.
Audio ends at 13:11, the rest of the tape is blank.
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Ruth Berman & Connie Kurtz Talk with Pride NY, 2002
Audio recorded at an event put on by Pride NY, the employee network group for LGBT individuals at JP Morgan Chase with Out and Equal Metro New York and the NY Bankers Group.
Side1
Blythe Masters from JP Morgan Chase introduces Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz . Connie recalls feeling different from an early age, issues with shame about being different, and the necessity to challenge the system that makes people feel that way. She talks about her relationship with her family and with Ruthies Family. Ruthie talks about being a mother, coming out as a lesbian as a parent, and her illness that resulted from her internal struggle and shame related to being a Lesbian. Ruthie talks about applying for partner benefits for Connie that lead to the lawsuit against the New York State Board of Eduction and her experience working with Lambda Legal. Ruthie discusses the collective power that queer people and their allies have.
Side 2
Ruthie + Connie talk about their film and take questions from the audience. They discuss making politicians accountable during their time in office and demanding full legal acknowledgement and recognition of rights and personhood. They talk about their involvement with their synagogue, and the power of corperate and professional LGBT groups.
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SAGE's Second National Conference on Aging: the Many Faces of Activism for Middle Aged and Old Lesbians, 2000
Audio from SAGE's Second National Conference on Aging, which took place from May 5-6, 2000 in New York, NY.
The audio starts with a conversation with a woman discussing activism, being an out lesbian parent, and atheticism and answering questions from the auidence. She talks about "The Gay Games" and the healing effect of sports for women and girls. Questions from the audience include comments on finding community at the intersection of elder lesbians and sports.
At 9:41 the audio cuts to a panel discussion with Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz. They play a clip of Ruthie + Connie's 1988 apperance on the Phil Donahue Show. Ruth and Connie talk about their personal hsitroy and early activism, their lawsuit against the New York City Board of Education for domestic partner benefits, the importance of being political and of coming out. They also talk about oening a counceling cener in their home and issues with the Butch/Femme Bianary.
At 28:41 the audio switches to Joan Nestle speaking about the Lesbian Herstory Archives and the importance of including reords about diverse Lesbian History.
AT 33:11 a woman from the aidence speaks from the perspective of radical lesbians who have never had children or been married and about expanding the lesbian agenda in the future. She reads from a a piece she wrote called “a week in the life of a 60 Year Old Lesbian” about her activism within the lesbian community. -
Ruth Berman, Connie Kurtz , and Deborah Dickson Interview with Bay Area Reporter, 2001
In this interview with an unknown reporter, Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz discuss their lives in context with the recent documentary about their life directed by Deborah Dickson, who is also interviewed.
Ruth and Connie discuss how they met, their early activism within their communities, being married to men and having families, and their eventual falling in love with one another and coming out as Lesbians. They discuss their relationships with their families then and now, and the importance of coming out of the closet.
Deborah talks about her process when working in this film, and how she tried to make the film for both gay and striaght audiences -
Victoria Rue Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Victoria Rue discusses growing up Catholic and her time in Catholic School and in the Convent for a short time. She talks about her first sexual encounter with a woman, living LA and then moving to New York City in 1977 to work in theater. Vitoria discusses getting a Master's of Divinity at Columbia and then a PHD in Berkley, CA and her focus on religion and the arts and exploring her identity as a Christian and a Lesbian. She talks about theater as activism, her involvement in the Women's Music Movement, and her relationship with her partner. She speaks about her relationship to both her family and her partners family. -
Kathryn Poethig Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Kathryn Poethig discusses growing up in the Philippines due to her parents work through the Presbyterian church and her positionality being raised there as a white person in a minority privileged position that affected the rest of her life. She talks about moving back to America and feeling uncomfortable at first with the culture as well as how sexualized things were in the US which lead to her further questioning her sexuality, her first feelings of attraction to women as an adult and her coming out process within a theological community. she talks about her feeling about various lesbian and women's groups she found herself in and moving to Rossmoor with her partner. -
Jean Lerner Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Jean Lerner discusses being raised Jewish by very politically active communist parents, her realization in college she was in love with her girl friend, and her disillusionment with the Communism that she was raised with. She talks about being closeted in her work as a chiropractor even though she loved her job, her decision to get pregnant and raise a daughter on her own after a struggle to find a partner who also wanted to raise a child, and then meeting her partner when she was pregnant and their family growing as they adopting their son. -
Liz Salen Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Liz Salen discusses her early feelings of attraction to girls, her experience having girlfriend at her Hebrew high school, remaining closeted through college and the beginning of law school and her ultimate coming out process and her family's reaction after her sister had also come out as a lesbian. She speaks about her work in her private law practice counseling non-profit activist organizations including OUT Week, ACT UP, and other queer focused organizations, becoming a mother with her partner's biological child, her own pregnancy journey and complications, and adopting a son. She discusses her daughters coming out to her as non-binary and moving to Rossmoor with her partner.
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Bev Lyon Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Bev Lyon discusses her family background and history, her early feelings for other girls in High School and her coming out in her early 40s. She speaks about getting married to a man in her senior year of college and their adoption of a child together. She discusses her her first relationship with a women and breaking into the lesbians and feminist world, and her later coming out to her family amf her reations. Bev talks about her life long ilness and how that affecter her life as well as the misogyny that she encoutered in law school. She speaks about meeting her partner and her involvement with the Bay Area Career Women group. -
Ann Biderman Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Ann Biderman discusses her early feelings for other girls, her coming out process and mixed reactions that led her to be fearful of coming out to people. She talks about her relationship with her parents, looking for a Jewish Lesbian community in Austin, TX and eventually moving to San Francisco in 1987. Ann discusses her involvement with Bay Area Career Women, her Temple, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. -
Deb Mayer Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Deb Mayer discusses her coming out process and finding lesbian community, her seven-year marriage to a navy pilot which brought her to the Bay Area, and her work in the juvenile justice system as a probation officer. She talks about her involvement in marriage equality and AIDS activism in San Francisco and also discusses moving to Rossmoor and the development of the Lesbian Social Club and the importance of friendship and community at this point in her life.
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Cecelia Wambach Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Cecelia Wambach discusses her realization her being a lesbian after being married to a man, her experince of being in a convent for 10 years, teaching at a women’s college, her involvement with the civil rights and anti-war movement and her move to the west coast with her small family. She also talks about her involvement with the LGBTQ communities once she moved to San Francisco, finishing her PHD and working as a college professor at San Francisco State for 30 years, and her life long pursuit of painting.
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Andrea Gourdine Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Andrea Gourdine discusses growing up conservative in the bay area and the racial discrimination and segregation she and her family faced in 1940s in Richmond, CA. Her coming out process and the response from her mother. She discusses her career in HR which lead her to be the first black woman working in HR for the City and County of San Francisco where she ultimately become the director and the closeted environment of her professional work. She touches on her experience with the lesbian community in San Francisco and finding herself through that community, and later, through the Rossmoor community. -
Andrea Gilbert Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Andrea Gilbert discusses her coming out process later in life and in relationship to her marriage to a man, her divorce, and her relationship to her children; as well as her family’s reaction to her coming out as a lesbian. She also discusses the impact of living at Rossmoor and the Rossmoor community on her life and her work in advocacy for the families of LGBTQ people. -
Jade Martner Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Jade Martner discusses her discusses her coming out process, both to herself at age 15, and to her mom when she was 17 which led to Jade being kicked out of the house. Moving to the Bay Area in 1988 from Arizona and finding a women’s group and community with the Palo Alto Lesbian Rap Group and in Lesbian Bars. Her work in IT management and being a Lesbian in a professional setting and starting an LGBTQ resource group at her company. -
Lynn Gold Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Lynn Gold discusses being married right out of college, raising two children, their divorce after 20 years, and a second marriage to a man during which time she fell in love with a woman. She also discusses coming out later in life around the same time Ellen DeGeneres came out and that point of culture helping her come out. Despite the shifting cultural views she discusses issues that she had with some friends and family members over her sexuality and eventual marriage to a woman. She also discusses her relationship with her mother in regards to her sexuality and her mothers sexuality. -
Marlene Michelson Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Marlene Michelson discusses Her early realizations of her sexuality, her work at the Oakland tribune starting in 1962 which began her 30 year career as journalist, her marriage to a man and experience raising two children, her ultimate separation from her husband, and her subsequent introduction to the lesbian scene in the Bay Area. She also discusses her late coming out after she arrived at Rossmoor and the start of the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club. -
Sharon Noteboom Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Sharon Noteboom discusses growing up on a farm in the Midwest in a religious family, the influence of conservative religion through her life, her coming out process in the late 70s, her involvement with the civil rights movement and various communities in San Francisco, and teaching as an out Lesbian.
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Renee Archer Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Renee Archer discusses her early feelings for other women, moving to California from Detroit, her marriage to a man and eventual coming out process, her involvement in activism, her work as a teacher, the importance of community, and her feelings about gender identity. -
Nicole Schapiro Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Nicole Schapiro discusses her founding on the Bay Area Career Woman group, her family, her coming out process, and her work as a professional speaker and coach. -
Judy Schavrien Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Judy Schavrien discusses her involvement in the feminist women’s movement, her relationships, her work as a professor and a psychotherapist, her move to the Bay Area, and her opinions of the lesbian community in Rossmoor. -
Judy Greyboys Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Judy Greyboys discusses her coming our process, here involvement in the Philly lesbian and political scene, her move to the Bay Area, involvement in activism and non-profit work, her work and travels as a musician, and the importance of community. -
Janet Seldon Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Janet Seldon discusses her coming out process, growing up in the Bay Area, her law work, how she came to Rossmoor, the importance of Lesbian Community. -
EJ Koch Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, EJ Koch discusses her upbringing and family, her coming out process through her first marriage, the book she is writing with a colleague, and how she arrived at Rossmoor. -
Carol Newhouse Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Carol Newhouse discusses her family history, her travels and life living around the in Puerto Rico, New York, and France, and her eventual move to the Bay Area and then to Rossmoor. -
Bobbi Ausubel Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Bobbi Ausubel discusses her early life and family, her coming out process, the RLSC community during Covid and her experience with the second wave feminist movement and feminist liberation theater. -
Amy Klitsner Interview
In this oral history conducted by the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club, Amy Klitsner discuss her family, early life, her realization that she was a lesbian, her coming out process, and finding community with other women and lesbians. -
Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club Introduction Video
In this video, members and past presidents of the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club give an introduction to their group and their oral history project. They discuss the history and growth of the group and their place in the larger Rossmoor community, and detail the events their group puts on. -
Susan Abod Interview
Susan Abod is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. The tape starts in the middle of a conversation. Susan talks about women’s rock music as the antithesis to “cockrock,” or rock music for and by men. She discusses her journey of auditioning and joining bands, and being influences by socialism, feminism, and how she joined a political band of women. (Some audio distortion). She talks about rewriting song lyrics, the concepts of straight-baiting, utopian politics, and differences between women’s music and feminist lyrics in music. Around 49:30 the narrator changes, and the topic changes to the Woman’s Coffee Coven, which later became a production company. This may be the predecessor of Olivia Records. -
Sally Piano Interview (Part 3)
Sally Piano is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Sally talks about her distrust of the government, including phone-tapping, spying, and the CIA. She addresses mainstream musicians of ripping off minority culture, including lesbians by men in power. She shares views on women’s music as alienating male audiences, intended to create space for women-only, as well as differences between straight and gay audiences. She discusses issues of maintaining an ethnic name as a performer, and how she came about using a stage name. Sally touches on themes of separatism in the women’s and lesbian movements. Part 3 of 3. -
Sally Piano Interview (Part 2)
Sally Piano is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Sally talks about her relationship with her audience as a performer. She addresses difficulties with men in the women’s music scene, as well as appropriation and criticism. Part 2 of 3. -
Sally Piano Interview (Part 1)
Sally Piano is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Sally discusses her early life, including her ethnicity, and racial identity. She mentions how learning the piano and music led her to the women’s movement, and feminist music. Part 1 of 3. -
Olivia Records Interview (Part 2)
Jennifer Woodul and Ginny Berson, founders of Olivia Records, are interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Jennifer and Ginny continue to talk about women’s autonomy in the lyricism of women’s music. They talk about their views on music production and concerts as places of political organization. They attempt to self-define what “women’s music” means to them, while acknowledging the classism in the music industry. Part 2 of 2. -
Olivia Records Interview (Part 1)
Jennifer Woodul and Ginny Berson, founders of Olivia Records, are interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Jennifer Woodul and Ginny Berson talk about their band and production studio, Olivia. The recording starts mid-sentence. They discuss recording music and starting a music studio. They talk about how they met at The Furies Newspaper, and the need they seen for women-owned businesses, and issues with capitalism. Part 1 of 2. -
Margie Adam Interview (Part 4)
Margie Adam is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Margie talks about the value of women musicians as speaking out for women’s communities. She discusses the roles of feminism and autonomy in women’s music. Margie talks about what it is like to be a traveling musician, and bands on tour, acknowledging that most women musicians at the time are soloist, white, middle-class women. She talks about trying to be accessible to audiences through music. Part 4 of 4. -
Margie Adam Interview (Part 3)
Margie Adam is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Margie continues the interview, discussing her song-writing style, and musician performance technique. She is passionate about music for social change, and talks about difficulties making a living as a performer, specifically focusing on the financial responsibilities as a musician with women audiences. Part 3 of 4. -
Margie Adam Interview [Redubbed]
Margie Adam is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Margie performs music, woven between interviews, in this redubbed interview. She discusses women’s music as not being mainstream music, as well as the politics of women’s music, and need for women’s production companies. She mentions the importance of networking with women-owned companies and businesses. Redubbed. -
Discussion on Waitressing
Recording starts with an introduction from the Feminist Radio Network, with female vocalizing, singing, and performing. The recording then begins to talk about women in the food service industry, and the statistics of how many women are waitresses. Upon interviewing a waitress, the conversation moves towards the low wages, and need for unionization in waitressing, since there is such a reliance on tips. Segueing through empowering music, the discussion shifts to women’s speeches, performances and testimonies on women’s liberation. The recording then moves on to a panel with Maxine Kumin, Grace Paley, and Alice Walker, discussing their thoughts on women’s writing. -
I Ain't Gonna Testify
Emily Hixon introduces the topic of grand jury abuse. Through interviews, testimonies, and conversation, they discuss how grand juries can attack political activists and their organizations. They also examine women’s politicized folk music, as well as trial tactics and strategies. They theorize about the intentions of the FBI, lawyers, legal organizing, and the federal government. -
Discussion on Sexual Abuse of Children (Incest)
Interviewee discusses the statistics of child sexual assault, and how they are not reported accurately. They claim that girls face more assault than boys, but much of it goes unreported. Conversation circles around parental assault, parental protection, and social services. The host and interviewer talk about the role of the patriarchy, victim denial, abuse, and the need for child abuse education for children. They advocate for child’s rights, and children’s need for peer relationships. -
Explorations in Self Help
John Cooper hosts "Explorations in Self Help," with guest Carol Sims. Carol talks about her new book, The Re-entry Game, a book for women dating post-divorce, published by Warner Books. She talks about the rise of the financial and socially independent woman, as influenced by Women’s Liberation, and life post-Women’s liberation. She touches on post-divorce topics like custody battles, and self-love. Recorded by KCRWM Santa Monica. -
Discussion on Battered Women, Wife Abuse
Interviewee discusses helping a domestic abuse victim retrieve their personal belongings, and shares statistics on reported domestic abuses. -
Holly Near Interview
Holly Near is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Holly talks about her early life, and influences that led her to the women's movement. She talks about anti-imperialism, the role of women’s music, and her criticism within the women’s movement, along with influences in art and politics. -
Straight Talk About Lesbians, 1980
An educational film strip about lesbian women in which several speak frankly about who they are, as well as their culture and history. Features women discussing their experiences, histories, and perspectives as lesbians, including coming out and living in a homophobic society. Also features discussions with children about their experiences having lesbian parents, as well as with the parents of lesbians. Notable is the discussion of lesbian music, with many songs played throughout.
Video restoration created by digitizing two filmstrips and accompanying cassette tape and assembling through computer video editing program. -
Margie Adam Interview (Part 2)
Margie Adam is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Margie talks about the Women’s Movement, and the National Womens’ Music Festival in Champaign-Urbana. She discusses definitions for women’s music, feminist music, and her song writing. Part 2 of 4. -
Margie Adam Interview (Part 1)
Margie Adam is interviewed by Ruth Scovill. Recorded April 1, 1976. Margie speaks about growing up with music in the home, and the role of music in civil disobedience. She mentions being deeply affected by tragedies of the day, including the Kent State Massacre, and how it informed her relationship with music, and later moving to California. Part 1 of 4. -
Stephanie Singer Interview
Recording of a Zoom event "Life Passages" where Stephanie Singer speaks on her experience as a transwoman and a Lesbian and discussed her early life, her coming out, and her family dynamics. After Stephanie speaks, there is a Q&A with other people on the Zoom meeting who are part of the Rossmoor Lesbian Social Club. -
Mabel Hampton Tapes transcripts
A two-volume transcript of several tapes in the Mabel Hampton Oral History collection. In addition to tape transcriptions, the volumes include notes and other annotations by Joan Nestle and Sara Atatimur. The final pages of volume two also include Joan Nestle's article "I Lift My Eyes to the Hill: The Life of Mabel Hampton as Told by a White Woman;" Mabel Hampton's obituary in the New York Times; and a draft of Joan Nestle's article "Her Spirit Soars Above Us." -
Ti-Grace Atkinson, Theories of Logic (Tape 1)
Part 1 of the recording of Ti-Grace Atkinson, a writer and philosopher who was part of the Women’s Movement in the 1970s, discusses elements of logic and different academic theories around logical thinking. She connects these elements of logic to oppression and the Women’s Movement. Part 1 mainly covers abstract theories of logical thinking. -
Lesbians in the 1970s Civil Rights Movement
Marcia Danub and Linda Daniels speak with Eleanor Cooper, spokeswoman for Lesbian Feminist Liberation, and Jean O'Leary, Legislative Coordinator, Board for the (then) National Gay Taskforce. LGBTQ+ and women’s rights activists were looking to repeal laws criminalizing homosexuality. Sodomy bills in the 1970s were explicitly written to target gay people, causing fear in the LGBTQ+ in their professional and personal lives. Intro 554 was one of many forms of the NYC Gay Rights Bill, which was passed in 1986, banning discrimination because of sexual orientation. Cooper and O'Leary provide information about the way these laws affect the lives of lesbians and how to participate in the repeal of sodomy laws and support the passing of Intro 554. -
Women Writers
The radio episode, which is part of the Feminist Radio Network, includes recordings from a conference panel which included the writers Maxine Kumin, Alice Walker, and Grace Paley. They discuss the challenges of being women writers, how their writing processes are affected by societal gender norms, and how important women’s stories are within the individualistic, middle-class American society where female bonding is not encouraged. This episode also includes excerpts from Living, by Grace Paley, and Everyday Use, by Alice Walker. -
Feminist Workshop: Gender Issues
Discussion of domestic relations, and how a woman agrees to certain terms when she gets married. Women do not know what they are agreeing to. They know what it is, but they do not want the details. There is a discussion of how women are programmed to inherently undermine their own thoughts, and to label them as “feelings” as opposed to facts. Further discussion on how gender issues are defined. -
Seneca Falls Radiodrama
The Seneca Falls radiodrama is a brief overview of what led to the first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, 1848. The convention, now called the Seneca Falls Convention, was held in order to converse about the liberties that women do and do not have, be they civil, social, political, or religious. The recording introduces listeners to Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, two prominent members of the women’s rights movement at the time. A reading of the Declaration of Sentiments, which outlines the civil, social, political, and religious rights of women, as well as various quotes, are included in this recording. -
Lesbian Singer and Political Prisoners
This untitled interview features a guest who discusses her time in prison, the songs she wrote about another incarcerated woman, songs she wrote for political prisoners including Lolita Lebron and Susan Saxe, and conditions of the women’s prison which she was subjected to. She talks about how the state justified the horrible conditions at the prison, and the lack of access to any kind of rehabilitation programs, despite rehabilitation being the supposed purpose of prison. -
Learning to Fly, Sports
Thoughts on athletics as they exist in America, and the pressure to develop oneself physically. In this radio show there is a reclamation of the “physical you.” There is also a discussion of how sports have become controlled by big business interests, they are now a plaything of the rich. This dehumanizes athletes, causing them to strive for only what can make them rich. Women's sports don't get much spectatorship and consequently don't get promotion or funding. The guests discuss how sports have also become a masculinity rite, and how winning is associated with proving one’s virility. On the other end, women athletes are pressured to prove their femininity in a masculine field. The emphasis on winning destroys athletes' bodies and spirits. Coaching forces athletes to be disciplined and to accept commands unquestioningly. The upward social mobility of sports is an illusion, and can only benefit a small portion of women and POC. The athletic system in this country is elitist, and little encouragement is given to amateurs and women. Black and women athletes have been challenging institutional sports in America. -
Casse Culver and Others Music and Poetry Performances
Women perform poems and songs, including “Ode to a Gym Teacher” by Meg Parker. -
Ti-Grace Atkinson, Theories of Logic (Tape 3)
In part 3 of the recording of Ti-Grace Atkinson, she continues her discussion on the elements of logic. In Part 3, she further discusses different social movements and their analysis of their own oppression. -
Ti-Grace Atkinson, Theories of Logic (Tape 2)
In Part 2 of the recording of Ti-Grace Atkinson, she further discusses elements of logic. She connects these elements of logic to oppression and the Women’s Movement. She starts to connect the abstract elements of logic to social issues and includes a discussion of the class system based on the writings of Karl Marx. -
Olivia Records interview with Marcia Danab
In this interview, Marcia Danab, the host, talks to two members of Olivia Records: Ginny Berson, and Meg Christian. Berson and Christian talk about how they created their record label, as well as the challenges that they faced as a company made by women for women. They both talk about the struggles that they have faced in the music industry as women in regard to gaining ownership, being paid, being taken seriously as artists, and making music that is specific to the female experience and understanding. Olivia Records was founded in 1973 and played an important role within the gay rights and counterculture movements of the time. Notable artists they represented were Tret Fure, Kay Gardner, Leslie Ann Jones, BeBe K'Roche, Pat Parker, and Cris Williamson. Due to declining sales, Olivia Records became Olivia Cruises and Resorts, a lesbian vacation company, in 1990. -
Goddess, Mythology, and Ancient Matriarchy
In this program there is a discussion on the earliest myths on the creation of the universe, and goddess creation myths. There is a discussion of ancient matriarchal culture, and its survival as wicca/witchcraft. It pays homage to women who were hanged under accusations of witchcraft. The goddess is synonymous with gynocracy, and women participate in the divine. -
The Franny Chicago Play
This production from Radio Free Women is an interview with Judith Katz, playwright, and Betsy Toth, director, of the Franny Chicago Play. The play revolves around the suicide of Franny Chicago, a lesbian who lives with her partner and a roommate, who is also a lesbian. Katz and Toth speak about the struggle of accurately portraying lesbian life while not turning it into a spectacle. In addition, they talk about the importance of feminist representation in theater. -
Margaret Sloan
Sloan is the President of the National Black Feminist Organization. She discussed NBFO’s mission to provide an organization for black feminists who felt the need to fight both sexism and racism at the same time. She discussed the formation of the organization and the eastern conference on black feminism. -
Lee Brown: Streetology
Lee Brown is a black woman and an ex-offender, but says “none of the three overlap with each other”. Brown's conversation with Colivia Carter is an discourse touching on themes of intersectionality before the framework had its name. Brown reads poetry she calls “streetology” about her experiences with prostitution, incarceration, and black families. -
A New You: The Laura Grey Way
A New You: The Laura Grey Way, hosted by John Cox and Laura Grey, is a weekly radio show that talks about beauty, skincare, and health. In this two-part recoding, the hosts are interviewing Betty Morales, the president of the Cancer Control Society. These episodes specifically focus on the idea of cancer as a nutritional deficiency condition, with Morales promoting the use of Laetrile, also know amygdalin, as a way to 'control' cancer in patients. However, the FDA has never given approval for laetrile to be used in the United States.Tags Radio -
Jill Johnson on Lesbians in the Women's Movement
Columnist for the village voice, feminist, Jill Johnson discusses the role of the feminist lesbian within the larger movement of women’s liberation. Johnson discusses the variations in the NYC lesbian experience, and the relationship they have with straight women, and the overarching culture at large. She discusses the contributions that a lesbian feminist can make to empower other women. -
The Furies
The Furies was a group of twelve lesbian separatists in Washington, D.C. who saw heterosexual women as an obstacle in their feminism. Heterosexuality was as cyclical, and women in heterosexual relationships reinforced their oppression by absorbing the name and values of their male partners and moving them forward. The Furies published a newspaper, The Furies, that ran from 1972-1973. -
Abortion
In this episode of Radio Free Women, three members of the National Organization for Women (NOW), discuss the state of abortion after the passage of Roe v. Wade. Mary Bailey (coordinator of the NOW Abortion Coalition), Mary Helen Bloom (member of the national area chapter of NOW), and Mary Garrison (President of the Montgomery NOW chapter) discuss threats to the landmark ruling. They also discuss how women are excluded for the conversation around abortion, as well as where states have the right to regulate and balance issues of state interests with consideration of women's health. -
Class in the Women's Movement
This episode is a Production of Radio Free Women in Washington DC, affiliated with the Feminist Radio Network. The hosts cover issues of class wtihin the Women’s Movement, often from personal experience as lower or working class women. It includes discussions on the differences between the working class, poor working class, and lower class, the overlap between race and class, and the lack of culture within middle class spaces. Furthermore, they cover some common experiences of working and lower class women within the Women’s Movement, from discriminatory treatment from the middle class women in the movement and the lack of solidarity and support from middle class women to those with material needs. -
Folk Songs of the Industrial Workers of the World
This recording consists of a collection of songs associated with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), an international union founded in 1905 in Chicago, IL. IWW members, commonly referred to as Wobblies, were prominent participants in the radical labor movement in the early 20th Century in the US. They also had ties to the socialist and anarchist movements of the time. While this recording does not include any information on the singers, writers, or dates recorded, most of these songs were written by Joe Hill and likely are sung by Joe Glazer and Bill Friedland. Joe Hill was a famous labor activist and folk singer in the early 1900s, and Joe Glazer and Bill Friedland kept Joe Hill’s music alive throughout the 20th century. Songs 1-13 are likely sung by Joe Glazer and Bill Friedland, song 14 by Holly Near, and song 15 by Charlie Poole. Songs 1-13 were likely recorded in the 1950s. -
Neighborhood Voices: Irving Cooperberg [Partial interview]
Irving Cooperberg discusses the importance of having a physical, experimental space and what it means for the legitimacy and stability of the community. He discusses different LGBT groups and community spaces throughout NYC, and the ways in which they promote life and hope amidst the HIV/AIDs epidemic. He talks about how these spaces give legitimacy to the community and allow for the melding of all different cultures and people. He also discusses the gay Synagogue and its role in the larger gay and lesbian community. -
Neighborhood Voices: Sonny Wainwright Interview (Tape 5)
Sonny Wainwright provides discourse about the privilege of marriage as it pertains to illness and becoming a parent. She explains her choice to "live straight" for several years so that she could have a child. It was not until she met Audre Lorde that she realized she had "choices", whom she called her teacher. Wainwright also discusses the need for lesbian illness support groups due to unjust experiences brought on by the illegality of same-sex marriage. -
Neighborhood Voices: Sonny Wainwright Interview (Tape 4)
Sonny Wainwright discusses being closeted, her group of closeted friends, and keeping her private life private. She also discusses labels as being necessary because the word “woman” does not define every part of her, and when she is free to be who she is she will no longer feel the need to be labeled a “radical lesbian feminist” because woman will be sufficient. Also mentioned is Wainwrights’ battle with breast cancer, and how it brought her first book Stage V: A Journal Through Illness.
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Neighborhood Voices: Sonny Wainwright Interview (Tape 3)
The New York gay bar scene in the 1950s gave Sonny Wainwright and her peers a place to be together without the interference of straight society. She left New York in 1953 to become a college teacher at University of New Hampshire. Wainwright oscillates between ideas of identity and stories of different instances of being outed in her personal and professional life, including a story about developing a relationship with a student at the University of New Hampshire, who outed her sexualty leading to her dismissal. -
Neighborhood Voices: Sonny Wainwright Interview (Tape 2)
Wainwright remembers her youth and feeling on the “fringes” of society. Growing up and attending an all girls highschool, she was aware of her feelings about women and only later realized what it meant after graduating high school and meeting her first lover. Despite understanding her identity and sexuality, she made the choice to “live straight” in the 1960s due to the lack of acceptance by society and the threat of losing her job as principal of a junior high school while raising her daughter alone. -
Neighborhood Voices: Sonny Wainwright Interview (Tape 1)
Sonny Wainwright discusses coming out in 1948, navigating the Village bar scene as a young college student with her lover Kelly, and the social life of lesbians in the 1950s. Wainwright found support in the bars as well as her close circle of closeted friends prior to the formation of the Gay Women’s Alternative. -
Neighborhood Voices: Audre Lorde Interview (Tape 4)
In the final part of the Old Neighborhood Voices interview with Audre Lorde, she wraps up the talk with a discussion on the drama of lesbian life in her youth. She talks about the difficulties and joys of living in community with lesbians in the 1950s and how being on the edge of society gives you a different worldview. She stresses how everyone should view themselves as an outsider so they don't lose perspective on the true sense of power structures at play in the world. -
Neighborhood Voices: Audre Lorde Interview (Tape 3)
In the third part of the interview, Audre Lorde discusses the lure of the Village for gay people, black people, and others who wished for an egalitarian environment, and how sometimes they would ignore the homophobia and racism they faced in the neighborhood to hold onto this dream. Also, she discussed in more depth what she thought about the Stonewall riot, and how it felt tied to the black revolutionary movement of the time. Furthermore, she discusses at length the different gay bars she would frequent, their ties to the mafia, and the different women that would frequent them. -
Neighborhood Voices: Audre Lorde Interview (Tape 2)
In the second part of the Old Neighborhood Voices interview with Audre Lorde, she talks about living around the Village in the 1950s - from the migrators who came into the gay bars just for the weekend, to the imagined mythos of the Village as a place for anyone outside of white, middle-class America, and to the conflicts between the older residents and the newcomers to the area. Lorde touches on what her apartments were like and the rent situation of the area, as well as scrouging together food to share with her communities as a poor person. Then, Lorde discusses the multiple lives lesbians of the time had to live and the incredible gift that integrating every aspect of herself was as she got older. She touches on the Stonewall Riot, as well as the way she had to stop arbitrarily dividing aspects of herself to make others more comfortable. -
Neighborhood Voices: Audre Lorde Interview (Tape 1)
Old Neighborhood Voices interviews Audre Lorde about living as a young Black lesbian in the Lower East Side (now referred to as the East Village). She discusses the interconnectedness of the lesbian communities in the neighborhood, the imperfect support systems they offered each other when there were no other options, and the pressures of living on the edge of society. Lorde also discusses the racism that was rampant in the gay community in the Village, and how the few black lesbians within these communities were met with apathy when discussing political matters. She also discusses the effects of McCarthyism in the 1950s on her lesbian communities, as well as how she gained political consciousness growing up with the Brown v. Board of Education case, as well as by living near the Women’s House of Detention in the Lower East Side and seeing Black incarcerated women for the first time. -
Learning to Fly, Show Business (Tape 2)
This recording is a compilation of songs, music, excerpts, quotes, and recordings by, about, and for women in show business. Featured in part two are songs by Judy Garland; music from various Broadway shows and movie musicals; excerpts from Bette Davis' autobiography;quotes from Dorothy Dandrige; a recording of "Mary C. Brown and the Hollywood Sign" by Dory Previn; a reading of the poem "I Have Come to Claim Marilyn Monroe's Body" by Judy Grahn; and a recording of "There's No Business Like Show Business". -
Learning to Fly, Show Business (Tape 1)
This recording is a compilation of quotes, songs, poems, and performances by, about, and for women in show business. Featured in part one are quotes about working in music from Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin; music by Melanie Safka; a poem to Aretha Franklin by Nikki Giovanni; a letter to Janis Joplin; a performance of Mercedez Benz by Janis Joplin. There are unnamed performances throughout the recording.Tags show business -
Romaine Brooks with Anne Imelda Radice
Anne Imelda Radice, an art museum director and arts administrator, discusses the life and art of Romaine Brooks. Romaine Brooks was a lesbian portrait artist born in Rome, Italy in the late 19th century. She was known as the "thief of souls" for her ability to capture emotion in her art. The host and Radice have a conversation on how lesbianism was perceived during Brooks' time period, as well as her relationship with her lifelong partner, Natalie Barney. -
Women and Welfare
This episode is titled Women in Welfare and features discussions from Carol Brill, the director of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and welfare advocates Kayla Taylor, and Susan Moore. This episode covers the topics of the welfare system structure, stereotypes and myths about welfare recipients, double standards working mothers face based on class, and the classism within the social work profession. Furthermore, it includes clips from governmental proceedings related to welfare and proposed cuts to welfare benefits. It ends with a discussion on how the issues within the welfare system relate to the Women’s Liberation Movement and demands economic change from politicians who fund big business and the military while disregarding the poor through welfare cuts. -
Women and Religion
In this recording, Sally Gearhart discusses how the Church enforces ideas of masculinity and feminity. The host argues that feminism is incompatible with Christianity and lesbianism allows a woman to love herself and let go of the self-hatred that society and the Church impose. -
Leadership, Self-concept, & Group Identity
Four women from working-class backgrounds critique leadership and individualism in second-wave feminism. Karen Kollias, Rita Mae Brown, Dolores Bargowski, and Beverly Fisher discuss the exclusion they experience by middle-class feminists who do not hold the same values of strength and leadership, which are viewed as masculine and therefore threatening. Feelings of guilt and the role of the mother in lower-class homes are also discussed. -
Women's Press Collective Workshop (Clip 3)
A question-and-answer session with members of the Women's Press Collective, including Wendy Cadden, Judy Grahn, and Martha Shelley. They discuss how they fund their projects. The uploaded file has been cropped due to Fair Use restrictions. The full file is available at the Lesbian Herstory Archives.
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Women's Press Collective Workshop (Clip 2)
A recording of a workshop featuring members of the Women's Press Collective, including Wendy Cadden, Judy Grahn, and Martha Shelley. The panelists describe the founding of the Collective in Oakland, California. The uploaded file has been cropped due to Fair Use restrictions. The full file is available at the Lesbian Herstory Archives.
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Women's Press Collective Workshop (Clip 1)
A recording of a workshop featuring members of the Women's Press Collective, including Wendy Cadden, Judy Grahn, and Martha Shelley. The panelists describe the founding of the Collective in Oakland, California. The uploaded file has been cropped due to Fair Use restrictions. The full file is available at the Lesbian Herstory Archives. -
Sidney Abbott at Lesbian Herstory Archives "The Good Old/Bad Old Days: Lesbian-Feminism, Its Origins—What's Helpful to Us Now?" Part 2 of 2
Sidney Abbott reflects on earlier years of the gay and lesbian movements; audience participation turns the presentation into a discussion on turning tides in the movements. -
Sidney Abbott at Lesbian Herstory Archives "The Good Old/Bad Old Days: Lesbian-Feminism, Its Origins—What's Helpful to Us Now?" Part 1 of 2
Sidney Abbott reflects on earlier years of the gay and lesbian movements; audience participation turns the presentation into a discussion on turning tides in the movements. -
Judy Grahn Poetry Reading [Fair use excerpt]
A poetry reading featuring Judy Grahn. Grahn reads from "She Who" and other works. The uploaded file has been cropped due to Fair Use restrictions. The full recording is available at the Lesbian Herstory Archives. -
Ladder Workshop/Wendy Hayes, 1970s (Part 3)
Creating local Lesbian chapters and national communication through publications: The Ladder, Focus, Sisters, and Lesbian Tide. -
Alix Dobkin Performance [Fair Use Excerpt]
Alix Dobkin sings a collection of her songs at an unknown location. The uploaded file has been cropped due to Fair Use restrictions. Full file available to view at Lesbian Herstory Archives. -
Ladder Workshop/Wendy Hayes, 1970s (Part 2)
About the First Lesbian Convention in San Francisco. A discussion of early scientific studies of sexuality (a couple of attendees and host talk about shock therapy). Trigger Warning: Discussion of shock therapy and suicide. -
Ladder Workshop/Wendy Hayes, 1970s (Part 1)
Wendy Hayes elaborates her coming out in San Francisco and joining the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB). The Daughters of Bilitis started as a group of women trying to find an alternative to the bar scene in San Francisco. -
Berkshire Conference Panel Discussion and Cleo Glenn
Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, Barbara Gittings, and Lois Johnson discuss their experiences in Daughters of Bilitis on a panel for the 1987 Berkshire Conference on the History of Women; Cleo Glenn discusses some of her younger life as well as her involvement with Daughters of Bilitis -
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Lesbian Nation, April 2, 1974
This recording begins with announcements for upcoming poetry readings located throughout New York City. The next segment is a pre-recorded interview panel that offers insight into the gay professional led by a woman identified only as Shoshana. She discusses her own background and experiences in the workplace and then asks her panelists questions about their experiences and difficulties they face. The panelists go on to discuss their hesitancy and fears of what the repercussions of being out on the job would mean. Continuing on, the panelists discuss societal pressures and the vagaries of workplace policies and the paranoia it can lead to. As the discussion concludes, the focus and fear society has on the sexual aspect of being gay is explored. This broadcast concludes with Martha Shelley discussing her feelings of nostalgia on turning 30. -
Lesbian Nation, October 22, 1973
Martha Shelley and Lois Chaffee discuss the Women’s Liberation Center and an ongoing dispute over its occupancy of 243 West 20th St., as a family services group has tried to claim the space for themselves. Following their conversation, Martha Shelley reads aloud two letters from listeners, one a gay senior at Stuyvesant High School and the other a student at Sarah Lawrence College. Trigger warning: bullying, homophobic slurs. -
Lesbian Nation, October 29, 1973
Martha Shelley interviews authors Rita Mae Brown and Blanche Boyd about growing up in the American South, publishing their work with the independent feminist press Daughters Inc. rather than a mainstream publisher, and the synthesis and conflict between feminism and art. Among other announcements, Shelley also gives a brief update on the Women's Liberation Center and their right to occupy the 20th Street firehouse. -
Lesbian Nation, January 14, 1974
Martha Shelley plays a Lavender Jane song to open the episode and reads a series of local announcements. In the second part of a three-episode interview, Shelley speaks with Florynce Kennedy about intersectional feminism and racial conflict in the feminist movement, defining one's lesbian identity, and working to reject the pathology of oppression. Trigger warning: racial slurs. -
Lesbian Nation, January 21, 1974
The episode opens with a song from Lavender Jane. Then in the final part of a three-episode interview, Martha Shelley brings back Florynce Kennedy to discuss Bobby Seale's trial and mayoral run in Oakland, Kennedy's experience as part of Assata Shakur's legal team, and intersectionality and conflict between the feminist and black power movements. Following their interview, Viv Sutherland reviews Myrna Lamb's play Because I Said So, playing at the Women's Arts Center. Trigger warning: racial slurs. -
Lesbian Nation, October 12, 1972 [Kate Millett, "Since Sexual Politics"]
Martha Shelley speaks with Kate Millett, author of Sexual Politics, about a wide range of subjects that includes the Angela Davis trial of 1971, bisexual identity, radical counterculture in American universities, sadomasochism, and the Vietnam War. -
Lesbian Nation, undated [Placenta Previa-cesarean]
Recorded by Martha Shelley in San Francisco, an unknown woman reading a poem written about the birth of her child and motherhood. -
Lesbian Nation, June 26, 1973
In this episode Martha Shelley reads a letter written by Jane Alpert. The letter discusses male vs female biology, motherhood, feminism and the feminist revolution, Gynocracies and patriarchies, as well as gender roles. -
Lesbian Nation, March 27, 1973
In this episode of Lesbian Nation Martha Shelley speaks with Isabel Miller, author of “Patience and Sarah”. They discuss Miller’s writing career, her use of a pseudonym for writing lesbian novels, and the process of getting “Patience and Sarah” published. -
Lesbian Nation, January 2, 1973
In this episode of Lesbian Nation Martha Shelley speaks with poet Susan Caver. In between Caver reading her poetry, Shelley and her discuss the “disturbing” themes in Caver’s poetry which include incest and religion, as well as Carver’s past relationships. -
Lesbian Nation, October 20, 1972
This episode of Lesbian Nation opens with Mary Flowerpot’s comedy segement followed by Martha Shelly interviewing Bertha Harris. Harris is the author of “Catching Saradove” (1969), “Confessions of Cherubino.” (1972), and “Lover” (1976). Shelley and Harris have a conversation about the writing process and intellectualism. -
Lesbian Nation, April 14, 1972
Martha Shelley hosts a poetry reading and interview with lesbian poets from the San Lorenzo Bay area. In between reading their poems, the women discuss power and equality dynamics, as well as relationships and trying to get works published in The Ladder. Trigger warning: racial slurs. -
Lesbian Nation, October 6, 1972
This episode of Lesbian Nation opens with a Mary Flowerpot humor segment then dives into an interview between Martha Shelley and Phyllis Chesler, renowned psychologist and author. In this interview, Chesler discusses women’s health, delving into her observations on how women are treated in mental health institutions. The episode ends with a poetry reading. -
Lesbian Nation, September 8, 1972
Martha Shelley interviews lesbian students from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale about a number of topics including lesbian publishing, local environmental concerns, and student activism. Mary Flowerpot opens the show with another funny segment before Shelley comes on to address more serious topics. The students discuss a recent incident involving unwarranted police brutality against a local student group (trigger warning). -
Lesbian Nation, September 22, 1972
In this installment of Lesbian Nation, Martha Shelley interviews women of the Women’s Lesbian Liberation Committee of the Gay Activists’ Alliance (GAA). Mary Flowerpot also hosts her comedy segment. In Shelley’s interview, the women discuss the emergence of the Lesbian Liberation Committee and their role within the GAA. They talk about what they have done to address issues of sexism in the GAA and how they try to maintain positive discourse with male members. -
Lesbian Nation, September 29, 1972
In this episode of Lesbian Nation, Martha Shelley and guests read original poetry. They cover love, relationships, and life as a lesbian in New York City. Mary Flowerpot opens the show with her trademark whimsical comedy segment. -
Lesbian Nation, July 28, 1972
Martha Shelley interviews Gene Damon aka Barbara Grier, founder of the lesbian magazine The Ladder (1956-1972). They discuss the beginnings of The Ladder and how it evolved from a smaller publication within the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) into an independent publication. Grier discusses the shift in content as well once the magazine became independent of the Daughters of Bilitis. Grier felt that under DOB they were focused on presenting a clean public image of lesbians to society at large and that this was reflected in what was published in older versions of The Ladder. Once Grier became the editor, she felt it was important to address topics like sexuality, saying “we began running material that deals with sex honestly and forthrightly.”Tags Barbara Grier, Coming Out, Daughters of Bilitis, Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), Interviews, Lesbian Musician, Lesbian Nation, Lesbian Writer, Literature, Martha Shelley, Music, Publications, Sex, Sexual Relationships, Sexuality, The Ladder, Women's Lesbian Liberation Committee, Women's Liberation Movement, Writing -
Lesbian Nation, March 21, 197[?]
A recording of Judy Grahn who briefly discusses publishing and two independent presses run by women, the Women’s Press Collective & Mama’s Press in the California bay area. The majority of airtime is dedicated to Grahn’s reading of works from the aforementioned presses. She reads chapter 17 from Sharon Isabel’s autobiographical novel “Yesterday’s Lessons” as well as poetry from “Lesbians Speak Out” & poems of Susan Griffin. -
Lesbian Nation, August 25, 1972
An interview with Julie Lee about her background, work and ongoings with New York City & New Jersey branches of Daughters of Bilitis. This recording also includes a discussion of the book “Lesbian Woman” by Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon, the topics it addresses and Julie Lee’s efforts on east coast distribution of the book. -
Lesbian Nation, January 1973 [Women Choose Women Exhibition]
This recording consists of informal interviews and a narrated tour conducted by Martha Shelly as she walks through the museum on the opening of the Women Choose Women exhibit at the New York Cultural Center. Martha Shelley interviews important people tied to this exhibit such as Mario Amaya, director of the New York Cultural Center. Anne Kang, an activist who discusses work with her fellow activists to protest discrimination against work created by women at the Museum of Modern Art and the organization of what would become the Women Choose Women exhibition.
Artist Muriel Castanis, a self described “sculpturette” shares her enthusiasm for the exhibition and the New York Cultural Center for hosting it. After the conclusion of this section, Martha Shelley conducts a walking tour of the exhibition and discusses selected works that stood out to her. She bumps into Janet Kogan and asks about her works and how they became part of the show. -
Federal Feminist Credit Union, undated
This recording features thoughts on feminist credit unions by an unidentified speaker covering topics from the buercratic procedures and structure needed to create and run them, the ethical decisions on how to allocate loans given limited funding and importance of preserving their history. -
Constructing a History of Power & Sexuality, New York University, undated (Part 2 [no part 1])
This recording is the second part of a keynote address by Catherine Simpson & Jonathan Katz titled “Constructing a History of Power & Sexuality”. The recording of the first part is unavailable; upon digitization it was found that the tape itself was blank, possibly due to user error at the time of recording or from being erased. It consists of a question & answer session with discussion of power from an interpersonal perspective up to a governmental, political level. Psychology and energy, both labor and libido are elaborated on, as well as the impact and ramifications of the Women's Liberation Movement & Gay Liberation Movement on society. -
Women Against Rape (Part 3)
This recording of the “Women’s Showcase” is the third part of three from the NYU hosted event, Women Against Rape. Ellyn Joyce the author of the poetry book “Instinct for Survival” reads selected poems from her own work. Before each reading Ellyn offers a little insight into what inspired her. At the end of the recording she discusses her work at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and advocates for better treatment of the women imprisoned there. -
Women Against Rape (Part 2)
This recording of the “Women’s Showcase” is the second part of three from the NYU hosted event, Women Against Rape. The opening of the recording features the conclusion of Alice McIntyre’s poetry reading. This part features poetry read by Daniella Guiseppe, Davita Singer and Margie Fine and a comic autobiographical story from Karen Mendelsohn. There are also musical performances by Rosemary Mclaughlin and a self composed piano piece from Elieen Kane, a WBAI radio host. -
Women Against Rape (Part 1)
This recording of the “Women’s Showcase” is the first of three from the NYU hosted event, Women Against Rape. This part features performances & poetry from Nina Miller, Lee Van De Velde, Alice McIntyre and music from Jazz pianist Esther Blue & singer Kathy Rose Salat. -
Interview with Martha Shelley, November 7, 2020
On November 7th 2020, MSLIS students Julia Rosenzweig, Tiffany Chan, and Sadie Hope-Gund conducted an interview with Martha Shelley on behalf of Pratt Institute School of Information and the Lesbian Herstory Archives. Martha was the producer of the 1970’s radio show Lesbian Nation, the tapes of which have been preserved in digital format on this website. The interview was recorded remotely from Brooklyn and Portland, and the covered topics regarded: her personal history, activism, and work on Lesbian Nation.
Tags Martha Shelley -
Lesbian Nation, June 12, 1973
Part 1 of a reading of a letter by Jane Alpert titled Mother Right that discusses Jane Alpert's life in the Weather Underground for three years. The letter is split into two parts: an open letter to women activists to leave the left movement to radical feminism and a call to action to build a matriarchy. The episode references rape, emotional manipulation and sexism performed by members of the Weather Underground and the left. -
Lesbian Nation, April 23, 1973
Second part of the interview with Jill Johnson, writer of the book, Lesbian Nation. Martha and Jill continue their discussion about personal and political relationships in lesbian culture and the complex issue of men in lesbian and feminist spaces. [Music: Can't Stop the Maddness by Birtha and audio from Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About The Godfather but Never Thought to Ask] -
Lesbian Nation, August 11, 1972
Martha Shelley interviews Sydney Abbott and Barbara Love about their newly released book "Sappho Was a Right On Woman," The book and discussion touches on topics of lesbian experience including the "evil" lesbian who attempt to rebel against norms, the external and internal pressure of the lesbian experience and the fragmented nature of the women's movement. [Music: Women Like Me by Roberta Kosse and Heroin by the Velvet Underground plays] -
Lesbian Nation, January 30, 1973
Interview with Jane Kogan about Daughters of Bilitis and why she gave up painting and her life as an activist and artist [The Lady’s Not for Sale by Kris Kristofferson plays] . -
Lesbian Nation, September 1, 1972
Introduction of Mary Flowerpot followed by an interview where Martha Shelley and Mary Flowerpot compare and contrast the beginning of the GLF in the United Kingdom and discuss class distiniction, women in the workforce and the drag scene in Europe. Martha Shelley and Mary Flowerpot also read a letter a homophobic letter directed at Joe Johnston that was sent to the Village Voice. At end the episode, Martha Shelley answers phone calls from two lesbians about the firing of a lesbian speaker from WBAI. -
Lesbian Nation, February 26, 1973
On February 21st, a protest was conducted in Times Square by Committee for Fair Divorce and Alimony Laws protesting the paying of alimony by husbands. A counter protest conducted by National Organization for Women (N.O.W.) in favor of alimony and increased regulations and child support. Martha Shelley conducted interviews with both organizations from individuals at the protests. -
Lesbian Nation, September 17, 1973
Martha reads a response letter originally published in "Off Our Backs" from the women of Weather Underground in reply to Jane Alpert's letter. This letter references topics including the bridge between the radical feminism movement and the left, the divisions in the women's movement, and the ideals of the organization. [Music from Bali] -
Lesbian Nation, September 10, 1973
Part two of an interview about Marge Piercy's newest book "Small Changes." Discussion included topics like the value of writing about working class characters and language in writing and speech. -
Lesbian Nation, October 20, 1972
Bertha Harris from Richmond College on writing and her life as a lesbian author. -
Lesbian Nation, February 20, 1973
Interview about the play "Coming Out: A Documentary Play About Gay Life & Liberation in the U.S.A". by Jonathan Ned Katz with five members of the cast. In the course of the conversation, the cast also discusses issues with relating to other social groups through the play. -
Lesbian Nation, March 13, 1973
Karla Jay and June Rook about the book "Out of the Closet," a gay anthology of views and articles about the gay experience including the gay experience in Cuba and a discussion of the value of the individual perspective. [Bar One by Maxine Adele Feldman] -
Lesbian Nation, October 13, 1972
Mary Flowerpot plays a recording of Joyce Grenfell's audio drama and a continuation of the story of "Sally Lime, the Third Woman." Later, Martha Shelley interviews Karla Jay and June Rook about the book "Out of the Closet," a gay anthology of views and articles about topics including the gay experience in Cuba and a discussion of the value of the individual perspective. [Music: Bar One by Maxine Adele Feldman] -
Lesbian Nation, December 26, 1972
Interview with Julie Lee, an important member of the Daughters of Bilitis, about the New Jersey National Organization for Women (N.O.W.) and her struggles to create a chapter of NOW dedicated to "doubly-oppressed" women (which included lesbians, POC women and improvished women in the community). -
Lesbian Nation, November 20, 1972
A re-broadcast of a poetry reading with Audre Lorde on Staten Island. The poem read include "Times Change and We Change with Them or We Seem to have Lost Touch with Each Other," "Martha," and "The Maiden, and Song." -
At the Museum of Natural History
Lesbians dancing, Martha Shelley on the right. -
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Mary Patierno Interview [From the Archives excerpt]
Edited excerpt from an interview with Mary Patierno, cofounder of Dyke TV with Linda Chapman and Anna Maria Simo. In this excerpt, Mary describes the From the Archives segment that was sometimes included in Dyke TV programs. -
San Francisco Dyke March and Gay Pride Footage, 1995
This footage shows events and gatherings from the third annual San Francisco Dyke March on June 18, 1995, themed "A World Without Borders." It includes several women giving brief speeches before the march begins on topics such as domestic violence and gay communities in South Africa. California State Senator Carole Migden and Assistant Secretary of Department of Housing and Urban Development Roberta Achtenberg appear in the march. At the end of the march, Achtenberg gives a speech and the singer Rozalla performs. -
Gay Pride Parade New York City, 1993 (Part 2)
Raw footage of the the Gay Pride Parade in New York City near Washington Square Park. Includes shots of spectators and parade participants including the Gay Police Association, RuPaul, Love Lounge, New Jersey Lesbian Coalition, The Eulenspiegel Society, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Long Island, Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE), the Hetrick-Martin Institute, People With AIDS Coalition (PWAC) and PWAC Mother's Support Group, AIDS Resource Center, Community Health Project, The Village AIDS Programs, and Gay Men's Health Crisis. "Boycott Colorado" signs are present throughout, referencing Colorado's 1992 ballot Amendment 2 that prevented protected status under the law for homosexuals or bisexuals. -
Dyke TV Third Season Recruitment Flyer
A flyer announcing the third season of Dyke TV and encouraging people to come to a producer's meeting to present ideas. -
Good News Flyer
A Dyke TV flyer announcing various events including screenings, workshops, and parties, as well as new Board of Directors memebrs. The reverse side of the flyer announces New York Dyke TV airtimes and encourages support -
Dyke TV Expansion Press Release
A press release announcing that Dyke TV will begin airing in San Francisco and seven other cities, for a total reach to 18 cities. The announcement notes the current cities of distribution, and describes content that will be included in upcoming programming. -
Dyke TV Beijing Project
A fundraising letter asking for support for the Dyke TV Beijing Project to attend the NGO Forum at the United Nations World Conference on Women to record testimonies from women. The letter notes a partnership between Dyke TV and FIRE (Feminist International Radio Endeavor) to also bring recorded testimonies to short wave radio. -
Dyke TV Fundraising Letter
A fundraising letter describing some of the past news and features presented by Dyke TV, and asking for donations to continue creating programming. The letter warns that without help, Dyke TV will soon be off the air. -
Mary Patierno Interview
In this interview Mary Patierno, co-founder and executive producer of Dyke TV discusses Dyke TV, a groundbreaking public access program produced in New York City by and for lesbians. Pateirno talks about the program’s history and its goals. She mentions some of Dyke TV’s important news stories and recollects some of the interviews the show conducted with women artists, activists and public figures. Patierno stresses the importance of preserving other Dyke TV footage that currently remains in storage. In addition to providing more detail about the structure of the episodes, Patierno discusses her experience creating the show, the circumstances surrounding the show’s founding, and the show’s legacy as the first lesbian content on television.
*Note: The interview was recorded using an online call service. -
Dyke TV Recruitment Letter
A flyer advertising jobs at Dyke TV. Positions include camera operator, video editor, news writer/producer, fund-raiser, and public relations. Contains casual descriptions of positions and required skills. -
Dyke TV Recruitment Flyer
A flyer advertising jobs at Dyke TV. Positions include camera operator, video editor, news writer/producer, fund-raiser, and public relations. -
Dyke TV Membership Form
A membership form for Dyke TV detailing donation tiers. Handwritten note in upper right hand corner reads "Yes! Sign me up, and send me DTV's newsletter, Get Turned On!Tags Networks -
Dyke TV Internet Courses Flyer
A flyer advertising two internet courses. One teaches about the internet being used for lesbian and women's organizations and communication. The second teaches how to design a web page. -
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Dyke TV Membership Letter, 1994
A letter requesting support for Dyke TV. The letter asks the recipient to consider becoming a member of the Dyke TV network of grass-roots lesbian television supporters. -
Dyke TV Season Premier Flyer
A flyer advertising the 1995 fall season premier of Dyke TV, as well as related promotional events and requests for "Lesbian Child" segment participants. -
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Dyke TV is hateful? [Correspondence]
An email sent by David B. O'Donnell containing text from a June 19, 1995 article in the Colorado Daily called "Dyke TV is hateful? Prove it" by Richard Cendo. According to the article, Melanie J. Schurr refers to Dyke TV as a hate show due to its aversion toward "straights." The author argues that the show may be for lesbians, but that there is no evidence that points to it being averse to different sexual orientations. -
Dyke TV Does 100! Invitation
An invitation for the Dyke TV Does 100! Cocktail Party & 100th Show Screening at Joy Tomchin and Baby Evan's home. -
Astraea Foundation Letter to Donors
A letter sent to individuals who have previously donated to Astraea, requesting renewed support. -
Mary Patierno Interview Transcript
In this interview Mary Patierno, co-founder and executive producer of DykeTV discusses DykeTV, a groundbreaking public access program produced by and for lesbians. Pateirno talks about the program’s history and its goals. She mentions some of DykeTV’s important news stories and recollects some of the interviews the show conducted with women artists, activists and public figures. Patierno stresses the importance of preserving other DykeTV footage that currently remains in storage. She also describes the production and post-production process, the ideas behind show segments and reflects on how she would like the show to be remembered.
The transcript can be searched when viewed in the document viewer below. -
Mary Patierno Interview [I Was a Lesbian Child excerpt]
Edited excerpt from an interview with Mary Patierno, cofounder of Dyke TV with Linda Chapman and Anna Maria Simo. In this excerpt, Mary describes the I was a Lesbian Child segment that was sometimes included in Dyke TV programs. -
Mary Patierno Interview [Eyewitness excerpt]
Edited excerpt from an interview with Mary Patierno, cofounder of Dyke TV with Linda Chapman and Anna Maria Simo. In this excerpt, Mary describes the Eyewitness segment that was sometimes included in Dyke TV programs. -
Mary Patierno Interview [Arts segment excerpt]
Edited excerpt from an interview with Mary Patierno, cofounder of Dyke TV with Linda Chapman and Anna Maria Simo. In this excerpt, Mary describes the "The Arts" segment that was sometimes included in Dyke TV programs. -
Don't Ask Don't Tell Protest Footage
This video is documentation of a demonstration protesting Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. The protest occurred on September 23, 1993 outside a fundraiser for the then prospective mayor of New York David Dinkins in which Bill Clinton was speaking. This segment combines raw footage artifacts with more formal documentation of the chants, and informal interviews with the participants. The last portion of this video shows police attempting to forcibly remove demonstrators. -
I Was a Lesbian Child [Desireena Almoradie]
In this segment of I Was a Lesbian Child, Desireena Almoradie shares photographs from her childhood in the Philippines and stories of her life while growing up there. -
I Was a Lesbian Child [Jocelyn Taylor]
In this segment of I Was a Lesbian Child, Jocelyn Taylor shares photographs from her childhood and stories of her life while growing up. She shares a memory from when she attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC. -
Georgia Ragsdale Interview
This video features comedian Georgia Ragsdale. The video includes clips from an interview and stand up footage from one of Ragsdale’s performances. She discusses the way she approaches her work and being out as a comedian. Ragsdale explains that for her, “Being out as a comic isn't a choice, because as a stand up comedian all you have is your worldview, your perspective on life and your life and the people around you, so I don’t see how you have a choice to be in or out if you're a stand up comedian.” She also reminisces about her first hour long show when circumstances forced her to come up with enough material in a very short period of time.
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Discrimination at Clark's Corner Restaurant
A woman reports about discrimination and threats she and her girlfriend faced when they kissed at a restaurant in Brooklyn Heights. She talks about the “kiss in” she and the Lesbian Avengers were having restaurant in protest. She also talks about plans to file a police report and take legal action if possible. -
Dyke TV Episode
This video serves as a valuable resource to understand what a full episode of Dyke TV would have looked like when it aired. In addition to a segment titled, “From the Archives,” which spotlights the experience of lesbians in Harlem, and further illustrates the community presence outside of the well documented activism surrounding Stonewall. Next was an “Arts” segment, in which filmmaker Su Friedrich discusses her background and experience making films. Finally, there are two segments of “I was a Lesbian Child,” a segment which is represented in clips on this site. These segments aimed to normalize the lesbian experience; interviewees discuss their childhoods and showcase childhood photos. The video closes with credits, contact information, and a Public Service Announcement about street harassment.Tags Anna Maria Simo, Archives, Art, Children, Humor, Linda Chapman, Mary Patierno, Media, Su Friedrich -
Gay Pride Parade New York City, 1993 (Part 1)
This clip shows archival footage of the New York City Gay Pride Parade on June 27, 1993. This particular parade represented the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. It was also taking place at an apex for the movement against Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, banning out gay people from military service. Participating groups include the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps, the Lesbian Avengers, the Women's Action Coalition, the Gay Veterans Association, and the Lesbian Herstory Archives. Also seen marching is politician Ruth Messinger and comedian/performer Lea DeLaria. -
Report from World AIDS Day 1995
A Dyke TV report on World AIDS Day from New York City Hall. The event is a commemoration and demonstration memorializing New Yorkers who have died of AIDS, and a protest against budget cuts that will impact AIDS education, prevention, and services. It includes footage of people reading the names of the deceased, with City Hall chosen as a location to send a message to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for his lack of response to the AIDS crisis. The report includes footage from a Housing Works Theater Project, "In Limbo", and interviews with participants including health care workers, an AIDS educator, and a harm reduction advocate and recipient of assistance at risk of being cut. Excerpts from the Dyke TV series "Risk, Lesbians, and AIDS" is also shown, including interviews with lesbian women living with AIDS and health care workers, and an excerpt from "Voices From the Front" about the People With AIDS Health Group and Act Up protests against the United States Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. -
Dyke Marches, 1993-2001
This video is a compilation of edited footage of Dyke Marches from 1993-2001: the 1993 Dyke March in Washington D.C.; the 1993 Dyke March in New York City; the 1994 Dyke March in New York City; the 1995 Dyke March in New York City; the 1999 Dyke March in New York City; the 2000 Dyke March in New York City; and the 2001 Dyke March in New York City. The video includes interviews with lesbians and individuals who are participating in the Dyke March and studio interviews with Kelly Cogswell, Maxine Wolfe, and Marlene Colburn. Lesbians participating in the march express their need for visibility, civil rights, and liberation on all fronts. -
Being a Lesbian Woman in Yugoslavia
This is an interview with Jelena Topalović* about being a queer woman in Yugoslavia during the Yugoslav Wars. She discusses nationalism of the Serbian government, women’s rights, and social attitudes toward homosexuality. Topalović discusses the role of women in Serbian society- that of the mother and the nurturer, and how being a lesbian places people outside that paradigm. She also discusses the government campaign to ban abortion, explaining that this makes lesbian women 'useless' members of society because they do not fit into a nationalistic image that a woman's purpose is to bear children to increase the Serbian population. While she notes there were no specific bans in place against lesbians, the government could still make life very difficult for them. She then discusses Arkadia, Serbia’s first Lesbian Lobby, in which she provides a space for women to gather and discuss issues that affect them, and how to fight misconceptions about lesbianism propagated by the government, and social stigmas against lesbians and single women.
*Name changed for privacy
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Maria Maggenti Interview
This segment shows a short interview with filmmaker Maria Maggenti about her 1995 film The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love. Maggenti first developed the script of the film as a project for NYU’s Graduate Film Program, but abandoned it after several years of trying to work through much darker themes. She explains that, while the film deals with highly politicized topics like coming out, and interracial relationships, the film’s tone remains light and comedic. In this segment, Maggenti describes the making of the film, which included a crew that was entirely women, none of whom were paid; rather, she explains the film provided women the opportunity to expand their careers in the industry. The film was released on June 16th, 1995, and distributed by New Line Cinema. It also participated in several film festivals in 1995, including Sundance.
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Crossing the Threshold: Lesbians on Marriage
This segment shows interviews with several members of the lesbian community, including a lesbian couple, a lesbian lawyer, and a mother of a lesbian, discussing the possibility of gay marriage. Themes discussed include the ways that legal marriage can or can not legitimize gay relationships; the presence or absence of gay people’s desire to get married; legal protections that marriage can provide; whether or not it would encourage parents to accept gay children; alternatives to gay marriage including domestic partnerships and second parent adoptions; and imaginings of what a lesbian wedding ceremony would look like. Also mentioned around 1:30 is the mass wedding of gay couples that took place as a demonstration on the lawn of the Lincoln Memorial on April 25,1993. This event was part of the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation.
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CDC Hearing [Linda Meredith address]
Presentation at the final CDC hearing by Linda Meredith, followed by physicians, about the definition of AIDS activists, especially the inclusion of lesbians, difference from advocates, and inaccurate characterizations. -
Defining a National AIDS Policy Panel
NIH-moderated panel about defining a national AIDS policy, research health services, and prevention in four talks from Maxine Wolfe (ACT UP), Dr. Wanda Jones (CDC), Corola Marta (Yale physician), and community activist Michelle Lopez. -
FDA Accelerated Approval Meeting
Meeting between ACT UP and other HIV/AIDS activists and employees of the Federal Drug Administration regarding recent FDA activities in accelerated approval and expanded access to drugs. -
ACT UP Organizing Meeting
Women in an ACT UP organizing meeting strategize how to recruit activists to grow their community and perform inclusive outreach to support different needs, specifically with connecting healthcare professionals with subjects. -
ACTG Meetings with Sten Vermund (Tape 2)
Meeting between ACTG [AIDS Clinical Trials Group] and Sten Vermund discussing Women with HIV/AIDS and the clinical trials and drug testing, as well as treatment options and the future of their work. -
ACT UP and NIAID Meeting About Natural History Study of Women With HIV (Tape 3)
Meeting between NIAID employee Diane Hartnell and ACT UP, Women with HIV/AIDS, and AIDS activists in Bethesda, Maryland about AIDS research. Side B includes discussions about first women's natural history study with other NIAID employees.Tags AIDS, AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), Clinical Trials, Communities, Consciousness Raising, Diane Hartnell, Drugs, Education, Epidemiology, Health Care, Illness, Marina Alvarez, Mary Lucy, Maxine Wolfe, Meetings, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Seh Welch, Social Work, Women's Health -
ACT UP and NIAID Meeting About Natural History Study of Women with HIV (Tape 2)
Meeting between NIAID employee Diane Hartnell and ACT UP, Women with HIV/AIDS, and AIDS activists in Bethesda, Maryland regarding research, including the ACTG, women's natural history, sexual health, pregnancy, and questionnaires.Tags AIDS, AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), Clinical Trials, Communities, Consciousness Raising, Drugs, Education, Epidemiology, Health Care, Illness, Marina Alvarez, Mary Lucy, Maxine Wolfe, Meetings, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Seh Welch, Social Work, Women's Health -
ACT UP and NIAI Meeting About Natural History Study of Women with HIV (Tape 1)
Meeting between NIAID employee Diane Hartnell and ACT UP, Women with HIV/AIDS, and AIDS activists in Bethesda, Maryland regarding the inclusion and diversity of women in AIDS studies, sexual health, ACTG, and pediatric care.Tags AIDS, AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), Clinical Trials, Communities, Consciousness Raising, Diane Hartnell, Drugs, Education, Epidemiology, Health Care, Illness, Mary Lucy, Maxine Wolfe, Meetings, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Seh Welch, Social Work, Women's Health -
ACT UP and NIAID Meeting on Women and HIV/AIDS
Director of NIAID, Tony Fauci, listens to a presentation by ACT UP activists from New York and Washington, D.C. about the neglect of research for women's health issues in contrast to men's, plus statistics about women with AIDS. -
ACT UP and CDC Meeting About Changing the Definition of AIDS (Tape 2)
Meeting at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia between representatives of ACT UP and CDC Officials about changing the Centers for Disease Control's definition of AIDS to include infections that women and injection drug users were getting. -
ACT UP and CDC Meeting About Changing the Definition of AIDS (Tape 1)
Meeting at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia between representatives of ACT UP and CDC Officials about changing the Centers for Disease Control's definition of AIDS to include infections that women and injection drug users were getting. -
Outlooks, March 26, 1989 [New York City's response to AIDS]
GLIB (Gay and Lesbian Independent Broadcasters): Radio program "Outlooks" hosts a roundtable discussion with ACT UP members to discuss NYC's Response to AIDS, from policies to public opinion. -
AIDS Clinical Trials Group, 1992
Women from ACT UP LA and some gay men who worked with them, attending the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups Meetings in Washington, D.C. -
Target City Hall [D.I.V.A. Footage], 1989
Handheld video recording of the ACT UP action "Target City Hall" on March 28, 1989. -
Target City Hall, 1989
Produced by DIVA TV, this video focuses on the ACT UP action known as Target City Hall when activists demonstrated against access to AIDS drugs and Mayor Ed Koch's response to the crisis at the New York City Hall. -
Gay Men's Health Crisis [Living with AIDS],
Episode of Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) cable show Living with AIDS, covering topics related to women with AIDS. -
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Marion Zimmer Bradley Interview, October 17, 1988
Marion Zimmer Bradley talks about her experience growing up, her marriage and children, being a woman writer in science fiction, writing for The Ladder, and discrimination in publishing. She also touches upon her struggles as a lesbian mother.Tags Manuela Soares -
Shirley Willer Interview, July 11, 1987
Shirley Willer talks about becoming aware of her true sexuality, being a lesbian nurse, the DOB, her view on motherhood, and her experience as an activist. On tape 2, she discusses her National Presidency of DOB, the break up of DOB in 1970 and the end of the Ladder in 1972. She also touches on the 1968 convention and her relationship with Marion. -
Pat Walker Interview, October 18, 1988
Pat Walker talks about her mother's reaction to her sexuality, her first girlfriend, living with blindness, and her experiences with the DOB and its members.Tags Manuela Soares -
Slide Titles for GWA
This is a collection of video clips, photos, and opening/closing credits for a Daughters of Bilities documentary sponsored by the Lesbian Herstory Archives. -
Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon, May 9, 1987 (Tape 1)
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon talk about how they met, moving to San Francisco, living together, meeting other lesbians, the starting of a "secret social club," the growing of the organization, and the struggle for legal recognition of gay rights in the late 80s. -
An Evening with Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon speak at a program for a lesbian movement exhibit. They give an overview of the beginning of the lesbian movement and the DOB's history, including public protests and conventions. They speak about a need for lesbians to be recognized more and to be more visible in the media. Unrelated video clips start after 01:30:42. -
GWA Rough Cut and Crawl Titles
Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, Billye Talmadge, Nikki Nichols, and Barbara Gittings speak about their experiences with the Daughters of Bilitis organization. -
Daughters of Bilitis Interview cuts
Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, Billye Talmadge, Nikki Nichols, Barbara Gittings, and Shirley Willer speak about their experiences with the Daughters of Bilitis organization. -
Memorial Service for Diane Cleaver (Part 2)
Friends and family gather at the funeral of Diane Cleaver to share stories, reminisce, and pay homage to her. -
Shirley Willer, Tape 2 of 4, Side A, July 11, 1987
This is a recording of Shirley Willer talking about her life. She talks about her experience with men, her experience as being labeled a lesbian, coming out to family and friends, how she discovered the existence of homosexual organizations through ONE Magazine, discrimination, the DOB, her initial expectations when first joining the organization, becoming chapter president, duties and achievements as president, conflicts surrounding the DOB, her decision to step down as chapter president, and the dissolution of DOB.
Marion Glass is recorded as well. She talks about her relationship with women, joining the Mattachine Society, and about DOB’s activist approach.
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Casse Live at Sagaris, Tape 1 of 1, September 15, 1981
This sound recording captures a live music performance. The audience sings and claps along to several traditional American folk songs including "Down in the Valley to Pray".Tags Casse Culver -
To Morgan Gwenwald With Love Stella Rush November 27, 1988 Side B
Stella Rush records a live standup performance of a western comedian. She is continuing her “letter” to Morgan at home. She talks of various things: cartoons, her cat, her grandmother Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dietrich, how she was named Stella, wonders what may happen to the recording, her personalities John and Elizabeth, her parents, Del and Phil, and offers words of advice. Throughout the recording she coughs due to asthma. The recording is suddenly cut off at the end.Tags Stella Rush -
To Morgan Gwenwald With Love Stella Rush November 27, 1988 Side A
A woman named Stella Rush records a tape for Morgan while she’s driving. She discusses her life, recent personal events, her hopes for the future, and her current worries. She talks about Sandy in the hospital, her personalities John and Keith, sings a song (“The Gambler”), and mentions sleeping difficulty. She continues to talk about cancer groups, AA and ALA meetings, and imaginary scenarios. The recording is suddenly cut off at the end.Tags Stella Rush -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 10 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 10 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 9 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 9 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 8 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 8 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 7 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 7 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 6 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 6 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 5 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 5 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 4 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 4 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 3 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 3 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office. [THIS FILE DUPLICATES FILE "SPW159_DOB ATKINSON #3 SIDE B_"]Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 2 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 2 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 1 of 10, Side B
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Ti Grace Atkinson, Tape 1 of 10, Side A
This sound recording captures workshop discussions led by Ti Grace Atkinson at the Daughters of Bilitis office.Tags Ti-Grace Atkinson -
Stella Rush & Helen Sandoz, May 15, 1987 (Tape 2 of 3)
Stella Rush and Helen Sandoz discuss writing and printing the Ladder, and another lesbian publication, the One. They also touch on a range of topics including obscenity laws, pornography, spirituality, the Homosexual Bill of Rights, and DOB conferences. They discuss the politics of the 1980s and compare it to that of the 1950s. Stella goes into detail about her upbringing and subsequent mental health issues. -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 5)
The majority of this video depicts Barbara and her partner, Donna McBride, going through photo albums and images of Barbara’s childhood, her family, and then her later years with Donna. Some topics that come up include Helen Bennett, Barbara’s relationship before Donna, and Naiad Press. The last 30 minutes or so of the video focus on Barbara as she discusses The Ladder and the various women who contributed to it and how publications helped shape social change for the gay and lesbian movement. -
Pat Turner Interview, December 31, 1987
Pat Turner describes early experiences as a lesbian growing up in the south, conflicts with her enthusiasm for religion as a young person, and her family’s reaction to her sexual orientation. She talks about the relative lack of gay social life in Tennessee, despite the existence of certain bars in Nashville. Discusses how her first letter to The Ladder became an article, and the response from readers. Describes working on The Ladder, and later experiences after the Stonewall. -
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Deborah Edel, Joan Nestle & Judith Schwarz Interview
Deborah Edel, Joan Nestle, and Judith Schwarz discuss the formation of the Lesbian Herstory Archives in the 1970s. They detail how the Archives grew out of a consciousness raising group through the Gay Academic Union in 1973. They talk about the mission of the archives, to ensure that lesbian voices and culture were heard and preserved. They also talk about the growth of their collections through donations of books, papers, and photographs from the lesbian community. -
P.D. Griffin Interview, May 13, 1987
P.D. Griffin discusses her role in the Daughters of Bilitis and her relationship to the lesbian community. She also discusses her interests, which include softball and ukulele. -
Boston DOB 20th Anniversary, April 2, 1989
The Boston chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis celebrate their 20th anniversary with opening remarks by Lois Johnson. She briefly discusses the founding of the chapter in 1969 by Jan Chase before thanking committee members and individuals for their contributions to the ceremony. The video ends with the lighting and cutting of the cake.Tags Celebrations -
Astraea
Short clips of several interviews with various members of the Daughters of Bilitis about their experiences with the group and being a lesbian in the 1950s and thereafter. -
Billye Talmadge Interview, 1987
Billye Talmadge discusses her early experiences as she came to understand her own preferences and sexuality, and the support she received from her college dean, classmate, and mother. She describes her role in the Daughters of Bilitis and the responsibilities and liabilities of being an officer in the group. She elaborates on the social and political climate of the times, and how she endeavored to help people overcome their fear of harassment and discrimination through providing education and supportive counseling and resources. -
Stella Rush & Helen Sandoz, May 15, 1987 (Tape 3 of 3)
Stella Rush and Helen Sandoz are interviewed in 1987. The interview mostly concerns Stella Rush, who talks about her childhood; specifically her encounters with incest and molestation. She also talks about her experiences with police discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s in L.A. Helen and Stella both talk about being editors of the Ladder and being a part of the DOB. Stella talks about workplace harassment, and fear of loser her job. They show photographs from the 1960s, including some of their cat. The video closes with the two discussing their wedding rings.Tags Bars, Christianity, Discrimination, Families, Gay Liberation Movement, Hate Crimes, Helen Sandoz, Homosexuality, Incest, Intergenerational Relationships, Job Discrimination, Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, Mailing Lists, Mental Health, Mothers, Older Lesbians, Parents of Lesbians and Gays, Police Harassment, Radical Lesbians, Rape, Religion, Sexual Assault, Stella Rush, The Ladder, Violence, Women -
Helen Ruvelas Interview, May 10, 1987
Helen Ruvelas discusses her involvement with the Daughters of Bilitis during the 1970’s and the strong friendships she developed with some of the women in the group. She also talks about her eventual drift away from the group and its dissolution. -
Nikki Nichols Interview, May 14, 1987
Nikki Nichols describes her coming out process, and experiences with older lesbian women as a teenager. Discusses changing views on butch/fem issue. Laments the lack of lesbian groups in Sacramento, as well as describing issues with and fears of gay bars. Talks about how the discovery of DOB saved her life – socially and otherwise. Describes first DOB convention in 1960. Discusses her research into Native American attitudes towards homosexuality, as well as Native American rights movement.
On tape 2, she talks about The Ladder and its role in lesbian history, and gives her thoughts about which leaders loomed large in the DOB. She brings up the Act or Teach “controversy” of the early 60s. She mentions problems with drug culture in San Francisco during the 60s. She also talks about her enthusiasm for active protest/picketing, and the difficulties of getting gay activists and rallies in California outside of San Francisco. -
Rose Jordan Interview, May 23, 1993
Rose Jordan discusses her involvement with women’s political organizations, including the New York chapter of of the Daughters of Bilitis, and feminist groups along with the schism that existed between 2 generations of lesbian women.
Accompanied by an abridged version highlighting Rose Jordan's discussion of political organizations and feminist groups. -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 7)
This video consists of a brief interview with Grier’s partner, Donna McBride, and then follows a discussion Grier leads on her book collection, favorite authors, and publishing experience. She and McBride talk about Naiad press and its successes over the years and the video shows their office workspace and the multitude of submissions they receive for publication. Donna McBride’s segment focuses on her awareness of being a lesbian, the aftermath of telling her parents, and her later involvement with women’s activist groups. -
Arcus Flynn Interview, November 1, 1987
Arcus Flynn discusses her early life and her struggle with isolation and depression, her eventual discovery of the Daughters of Bilitis meetings and the community and friendships she found there. Arcus talks about the early importance of roles assumed by lesbians in the community (butch/femme), her involvement with the Women’s Rights movement, her evolution from Catholicism to born-again pagan spirituality (the Irish triad: truth, knowledge, and nature), and her discovery of herbology and natural healing. -
Lois Beeby Interview, May 9, 1987
Lois Beeby discusses her early experiences and confusion as to recognizing she was a lesbian. She speaks about her role as a member and officer in the Daughters of Bilitis, and the eventual unrest and split in the group, leading to her leaving DOB. She speaks of unrest between gay men and lesbians and the desire for the two to join together as a united front. -
Amazon Autumn Event, 1986
Footage of an event held in 1986. Both Deborah Edel and Judith Schwarz are featured sitting at a table for the Lesbian Herstory Archives and are handing out information about lesbian herstory in general and the archives more specifically. Joan Nestle and Mabel Hampton are also featured. -
Karen Anderson Ryer Interview, 1987
Karen Anderson Ryer discusses her coming out process, and the acceptance of her parents. She talks about butch vs. fem, and changing generational attitudes. Discusses importance of feminism to lesbianism specifically, and differences from gay men’s movement. She details the split of “The Ladder” from the San Francisco chapter from DOB, and how she left to start a new magazine. Also mentions the integration of different lesbian communities – Oakland vs. San Francisco, and the impact of AIDS on the lesbian community. -
Pamela Oline Interview, [date unknown]
Pamela Oline is interviewed. She is heterosexual and talks about her path to and experience of being a member of DOB and campaigning for gay and lesbian rights. She describes her childhood growing up in England, moving to America when she was 14 and changing career from a mathematician and to a psychotherapist. Recognizing the psychological issues of the time, she decided to understand the lesbian community from the inside. She talks about DOB meetings, lesbian and feminism issues, radical and conventional activism, marriage, and GAU (Gay Academic Union) meetings, panel discussions, etc.
Accompanied by an edited collection of clips, featuring Oline talking about being a Lesbian, the DOB and its eventual fractioning, and the debate of whether the lesbian's movement should be separate from the women's movement. -
Martha Shelley Interview, June 24, 1989
Martha Shelley is interviewed in New York in 1989. She talks about being a lesbian in New York from the 1960s, the negative views of lesbians portrayed by psychologists, the bar scene, roles and her use of a pseudonym. She talks about finding DOB, the meetings and discussions that took place, and her contributions to the Ladder. She talks about Jean Powers and other members of DOB and describes the members as mixed race, working class, couples and singles. She also talks about her political activism in terms of DOB, peace, civil rights and the Stonewall Riots, including the marches she was involved in and the speeches she made. -
Linda Lopez Interview, October 22, 1988
Linda Lopez is interviewed in 1988. She talks about growing up in the South and how she fared as a lesbian living in a conservative community. She discusses the Dallas DOB and how the membership consisted of a number of women who had been married, divorced and had kids (including herself). She talks about the custody battle she had with her parents over her son and how many women faced similar battles but with their spouses. She also talks about how she and a number of women lost their jobs when it was discovered that they were lesbians. She discusses the Dallas DOB's events.
On tape 2, she talks about the impact of the Dallas DOB in Dallas and beyond, how it inspired activism and other organizations. She talks about Rob [Shivers]' leadership and its role in DOB's strength. She discusses Dallas and the South in General - how lesbians were treated and how they lived. She talks about the need for job security, the roles and expectations of women. -
Kay O'Hara and Gerrie Morrison Interview, October 20, 1988
Kay O'Hara and Gerrie Morrison are interviewed in 1988. They both talk about their family lives, when they realized they were lesbians, coming out, their relationship, and previous relationships. Kay mentions her engagement and marriage before she accepted she was a lesbian. They talk about the San Francisco DOB from the 1950s and the meeting's events that were held, as well as butch and femme roles. They talk about literature that was available, including the Ladder and the contributions they made to its design and distribution. On tape 2, they comment on a series of slides and photographs of members of DOB. -
Sanders, Side A, October 24, 1976
This tape contains an interview with Helen Sanders in her home.Tags Helen Sanders -
To Morgan Greenwald from Stella Rush November 2 Side B
Stella talks about a tape that she created on June 19th of 1987 (Side A) and is grateful for a reunion she recently had with her friends.Tags Stella Rush -
To Morgan Greenwald from Stella Rush June 19, 1987 Side A
A woman records her thoughts while on a road trip and talks about a car accident she had in the past and what it was like to travel through Central City, L.A.Tags Stella Rush -
Sanders, Side B, November 24, 1976
An interview with Helen Sanders in her home
*includes audio from side ATags Helen Sanders -
Ruth Simpson and Ellen Povill Interview, October 8, 1989
Ruth Simpson and Ellen Povill are interviewed in Woodstock, New York. Ruth talks about her past experience dating men and falling in love. She discusses coming out and realizing her sexual orientation when she was doing theater in college. On tape 2, she and Ellen Povill talk about various movements, including civil rights, feminism and gay and lesbian rights. They describe the day a group of feminists were arrested at a demonstration and the police brutality they experienced and later on, examples of FBI interception. Ruth discusses DOB and her leadership of the New York chapter and Ellen talks about her activities on the action committee. -
Renee Shapiro Interview, April 1, 1989
Renee Shapiro is interviewed April 1, 1989. She discusses joining the Daughters of Bilitis and the various group activities they did. Renee talks about her hands on experience with putting together plays and different group events. -
Marilyn Lamkay Interview, April 8, 1987
Marliyn Lamkay is interviewed in New York City in 1987 (it seems to continue from a previous video and is perhaps continued in another video). She talks about being a lesbian in New York and coming out to her family and professionally, her relationships and religious beliefs. She discusses lesbian roles and how she didn't fit into any of the existing roles, even in the DOB community. She discusses community building and CR groups when she was younger and how she went on to hold workshops about resources for gay and lesbian New Yorkers at Bronx Community College. She mentions New YorkDOB meetings and the influence that DOB had in the creation of subsequent lesbian groups and communities. -
Julie Lee Interview, 1989
Julie Lee and her partner [Ginny] are interviewed in 1989. They discuss relationships, lesbian communities, activism and the civil rights movement. Julie talks about her role as secretary of the New York chapter of DOB and her roles in United Sisters, ACLU, etc. They both talk about police harassment and how 'out' lesbians lost their jobs. Julie also mentions her pseudonym. -
Jean Ko Stewart Interview, April 11, 1989
Jean Ko Stewart is interviewed in Boston in 1989. She discusses her early relationships with women and coming out. She speaks about her role as the Vice President of the Boston chapter, which involved organizing dances and concerts and a focus on providing a community space for lesbians. She compares the political and social climate of California and Boston, and considers Boston’s racial climate at the time. Jean explains that she moved to California because she heard that women wore slacks to work, which was considered unacceptable in Boston in the 1960s.
Accompanied by an abridged version where Jean Ko Stewart speaks about meeting with the Daughters of Bilitis community. -
Barbara Sang Interview, April 22, 1989
Barbara Sang is interveiwed in 1989. She talks about how she went through psychotherapy and attempted to live as a heterosexual woman. She discusses her role in the New York chapter of DOB as the Education Chair and the programs and events she organized as well as finding as much information as she could about gays and lesbians. She also talks about DOB in the 1960s and the privacy it afforded its members, not insisting that they come out, which was criticized by more radical movements. -
Barbara Emmerth Interview, February 21, 1988
Barbara Emmerth is interviewed in New York City in 1988. She discusses the uniqueness of coming out on West Virginia in the 1950s where there was little stigma attached to homosexuality because there was so little understanding or awareness of it. She speaks about her relationships, moving to New York City in the 1960s and her involvement with DOB (including a brief stint as the VP of the New York chapter) and with SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders). -
Anne MacKay Interview, April 24, 1988
Anne MacKay is interviewed in Orient Point, New York in 1988. She discusses the early days of the DOB, lesbian conventions, coming out to her family, socializing, theatrical productions to help fund the Lesbian Herstory Archives, and relationships between lesbians. -
Alma Routsong Interview, January 20, 1990
Alma Routsong is interviewed in New York in 1990. She discusses her early experiences of being a lesbian and coming out. She explains how lesbian literature of the time informed her about DOB and influenced her to leave her husband and move to New York with her lover. Alma also discusses her writing career and use of a pseudonym. In tape 2 she discusses DOB groups and events, as well as the demise of DOB. -
Honesty Ends Helplesness Side B
This tape was recorded November 14th and is a continuation of a previous recording. She discusses an accident and an encounter with her sponser. -
Memorial Service Helen J. Sandoz, Side A, July 19, 1987
This tape is a recording from the memorial service for Helen Sandoz on July 19, 1987. The recording is of a religious service for Sandy with various readings from the Bible as well as religious music. After the religious ceremony, friends and loved ones told humorous and moving stories about Sandy. -
Bachelorettes, Side B, September 5, 1981
The sound recording is women singing the old hymn "Down in the River" with the words changed slightly. The rest of the recording is the women singing various songs. -
Judy Regan, Side A, September 5, 1981
This tape is a mixed tape of various songs by the queer country singer Judy Regan. -
John and Elizabeth, Side B, November 14, 1988
This sound recording is a continuation of a previous tape. The woman on the tape discusses a car accident she was in and various aspects regarding this incident. She goes on to talk about her mother and her upbringing. -
Dear Morgan, Side A, November 14, 1988
An anonymous woman records a tape to send to her friend Morgan. She is excited about Christmas being in a few weeks and carefully tells her stories as to not reveal the identities of friends who do not want to be named. -
To Morgan Gwenwald from Stella Rush June 2, 1987 Side B
seamless continuation from side "Tape to Morgan from Stella Rush" Side A
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To Morgan Gwenwald from Stella Rush June 2, 1987 Side A
A woman named Stella Rush records a tape for Morgan. She discusses her life and her struggles, and how recording tapes for others helped her to express herself when she was too depressed to write.
*mentions nonchalantly at beginning of tape that she won't stop at a Denny's because they once refused her service -
To Morgan Gwenwald from Stella Rush June 4, 1987 and June 5, 1987 #2 Side A
Stella talks about reuniting with her old friends and passing the torch to new, young activists. She also discusses her struggle with addiction and how she moved past it. -
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For Toby by Shirley, Side A
This audio recording discusses the Daughters Of Bilitis New York City chapter. The main voice on the recording is a woman who was elected national president. She talks about her time as national president during the start of the Womens Rights movement. The recording discusses the success of the New York City Chapter and the new role they were playing in the Womens Rights movement. -
Morgan G, Side B, November 2, 1988
This is a continuation of a previous audio recording. The recording is taken in a car ride and it is a letter for Morgan. She discusses her daily routine. -
Workshop #4, Side B, April 20, 1971
The recording is from a workshop from April 20, 1971. The women are having an open discussion on honesty and trust within the group. The talk about how they feel about each other and how they handle being in Daughters of Bilitis. -
Morgan G, Side A, November 13, 1988
This audio recording is discussing her issue with addiction and alcoholism. She opens up about having good people by her side in these hard times. -
Workshop #3, Side A, February 18, 1971
This audio recording talks about activism and oppression within the lesbian community. The workshop is a group of women discussing their feelings and experiences with being oppressed as women in society, especially as lesbians. -
Jeanne Cordova Interview, October 27, 1988
Jeanne Cordova discusses how the Daughters of Bilitis inspired her to change her career path and passions in life from aspirations of playing soft ball, to becoming highly involved in activism. -
Madeline Davis and Liz Kennedy. Boots of Leather Oral History Project Panel Gay Pride, 1979
Side A:
Panel discussion on the history of the archives, including a brief introduction on how they gather information through different interview procedures within the Lesbian community in order to build the oral history project.
Side B:
Panel discussion continues with topic brought up in side A. -
San Francisco Lesbian History Project discusses Buffalo lesbian bars in the 1950's, 1981 February 24
Side A:
Discussion on the social issues in the Lesbian communinity bar and nightlife scene in Buffalo, NY during the 1950s.
Side B:
Continuation of side A. Only 2 minutes of side B used in original recording. -
Susan, undated (Tape 2)
Susan continues her discussion of lesbian social and political groups, both at the university and within Buffalo. This interview also covers Susan's experience with Buffalo nightlife (specifically gay and lesbian bars), coming out to her parents, and how being gay affected her career. -
Susan, undated (Tape 1)
Susan discusses discovering her sexuality, her first relationship with another woman, and the university atmosphere for a lesbian. Her interview includes stories about her romantic experiences as an overweight woman, the gay and lesbian nightlife in Buffalo, and her political advocacy in the gay and women's rights movements. -
Windsor, July 31, 1980 (Tape 2)
SIDE A Discussing Windsor’s memories of her relationship with Ruth also called “Skip” beginning in 1933, when they began to identify as lesbians. Past discrimination in town of Reedsville, Pennsylvania, childhood and background, and time attending Allegheny College and working in a factory. Skip came to Buffalo to study biochemistry, and enters the gay community in 1937; however Skip remained in the closet until 1975. Discussing lesbians in the medical profession in New York, and past relationships of Skip. These women attended bars such as Ralph Martin’s and Carousel in late 1930s and early 1940s.
SIDE B Windsor discusses suicides in the lesbian community. Skip was able to accept herself as lesbian, and Windsor explains why.
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Windsor, Tape 1, July 31, 1980
SIDE A Windsor discusses femme and butch roles in several lesbian relationships, and Skip’s opinion on these role changes. Windsor speaks about her relationship with Skip and difficulties of being constantly with her partner, having different money-earning capabilities, the emotions and desires in their relationship, and how they celebrated holidays together.
SIDE B (Duplicate of Side A) Windsor discusses femme and butch roles in several lesbian relationships, and Skip’s opinion on these role changes. Windsor speaks about her relationship with Skip and difficulties of being constantly with her partner, having different money-earning capabilities, the emotions and desires in their relationship, and how they celebrated holidays together.
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Bobbi (Tape 1)
Side A:
The interview discusses what coming out was like for the interviewee and the reactions of her family members.
Side B:
Interviewee discusses dating and having her first love affair. The interview talks about the differences in reactions of people when she came out during the 1960s and how that affected what she did and who she hung out with. She discusses the change in going from a group of people who accepted her being gay to a group of people who felt guilty of being gay. -
Annie, July 10, 1985 (Tape 1)
A woman talks about her time married to a man as compared to her time in a relationship with a woman, and the pros and cons of both. -
Terry, May 12, 1980
Terry talks about her experience, coming of age as a woman and specifically as a lesbian; and how she sought comfort first in alcohol and then within the lesbian community. -
Ann II, October 23, 1980 (Tape 2)
Ann describes what she looked for in a women. Discusses the clothing change among lesbian women. Explains some of her relationship experience with women. -
Stella Stone, April, 1978
Stella describes growing up in a broken home, and having to take on a lot of responsibilities. Explains her curiosity in women as she got older. Later, she discusses how her bisexuality made her feel different than everyone. -
Cecilia, 1990
Phone message left by Cecilia from Routledge publishers. In the message she gives feedback on a chapter of the Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community manuscript and discusses the next steps in the publishing process. -
Sara Brown, 1978
Sara Brown discusses her experiences with her previous female partners. She talks about her childhood and the influence that her family and Catholic School had on her life as she was growing up. She also discusses the difficulty she has had in coming out to her parents in later life. -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 1)
Barbara Grier discusses her personal experiences with developing her identity. She describes lesbian nightlife and particular lesbians frequented in her youth. -
Boston, November 14, 1981
Side A:
Opens with an unnamed woman singing with guitar playing in a live venue. Continues to go through the concert with intermittent breaks to speak about songs.
Side B:
Blank -
MAD Boston
Proceedings from the MAD Conference in Boston -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, May 9, 1987 (Tape 3)
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon discuss DOB's National Conventions. They are interviewed by Manuela Soares. -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, and Nina Kaiser, May 12, 1987 (Tape 4)
Both Del Martin and Nina Kaiser discuss the end of DOB in 1970. Del also touches upon her name and Nina Kaiser touches upon her first lesbian relationship at 19, her involvement with the Navy and her involvement with the National Organization for Women. They are interviewed by Sara Yager. -
Carole Morton Interview, October 21, 1988
Carole Morton discusses her discovery of Daughters of Bilitis and her activism on behalf of lesbian mothers. -
Barbara Gittings and Kay Tobin Interview, 1988
Barbara Gittings talks about her life and her history with the Daughters of Bilitis. She served as the National Corresponding Secretary for DOB and helped run the NYC chapter when she was living in Philadelphia. Despite that, she frequently criticizes DOB positions and found herself to be more radical in her approach to activism. She speaks about concerns of being infiltrated by the FBI, and heists of the publication "The Ladder". The interview closes with Gittings speaking about organizing for conferences and workshops, including creating exhibits for the 1971 American Psychiatry Conference in San Francisco. -
Judith Schwarz and Joan Nestle Interview, November 14, 1992
The interview begins with Judith Schwarz and her recollections of the late 1950s and early 1960s, and how she knew of women who were hesitant to join Daughters of Bilitis, as they simply wanted to meet women at the bar, and feared their names appearing with labels publicly. She also discusses how women were hesitant to receive mail from Daughters of Bilitis for the same reason. She also talks about her first woman lover, and the circumstances that led to that.
Accompanied by an edited version where Judith Schwarz talks about the significance of DOB, the secrecy of membership, new member experience, social events, and harassment. Joan Nestle talks about the perception of the DOB as a threat during the McCarthy Era, the complexity of the organization, and her own perceptions of DOB. -
Pat Helin and Barbara Deming Interview, May 10, 1987
Pat Helin and Barbara Deming discuss their childhood in Iowa, relationships with their familes, their involvement with the Daughters of Bilitis in San Francisco and their friendship with Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon.
On tape 2, they elaborate on their early days in San Francisco, Pat’s previous marriage, political affiliations, jobs, dancing in gay bars, and why they ultimately left the DOB. -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 4)
Barbara Grier proceeds with her conversation, discussing her insights and personal contributions to early lesbian literature and publishing, especially in her endeavors with Naiad Press in 1973.
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LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 3)
Barbara Grier discusses her time involved with the Daughters of Bilitis as a contributor, poetry and fiction editor, and eventual editor-in-chief of The Ladder. She is interviewed by Manuela Soares. -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 2)
Barbara Grier discusses her time involved with the Daughters of Bilitis as a contributor, poetry and fiction editor, and eventual editor-in-chief of The Ladder. She is interviewed by Manuela Soares. -
Edythe D. Eyde aka Lisa Ben Interview, October 25, 1988
Edith Eyde talks about her life growing up in rural southern California, moving to Los Angelos and discovering the lesbian culture there. She discusses publishing Vice Versa, one of the first lesbian magazines, and her music career.
On the second tape, she continues to discuss her experiences in California, interacting with others who were vested in the same interests surrounding lesbian culture, and being proactive in literature and the arts. -
Lois Johnson and Sheri Barden Interview, April 1, 1989
The interview begins with Lois Johnson, who discusses when she realized that she was a lesbian, which caused her to move out to California and take a job in journalism. It was there that she met a woman who eventually became her lover, and they used to play music together. Sheri Barden talks about her social life after she met Lois Johnson, though she did like to party with her landlord, who was also a lesbian, though these social affairs pretty much came to an end when her relationship began with Lois.
On tape 2, Lois Johnson discusses expressing herself emotionally, and how she repressed her anger initially, unlike Sheri, who would often explode, leading to a lot of crying in the early part of their relationship. However, she continues to believe in love and commitment, and credits Sheri for having a great sense of humor. Sheri Barden also talks about her businesses, including a bed and breakfast that houses many lesbians. The two then reminisce on what they have in common, including their love of cats. -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, May 9, 1987 (Tape 2)
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon discuss changing attitudes of mental health care professionals towards lesbianism, contemporary support networks for lesbians. They are interviewed by Manuela Soares. -
Stella Rush and Helen Sandoz (aka Sten Russell and Helen Sanders) Interview, May 15, 1987 (Tape 1 of 3)
Stella Rush and Helen Sandoz discuss personal experiences about living as a lesbian in the late 1930's and early 1940's, Sandoz choosing to remain off camera for the interview. Featuring anecdotes of when they realized they were lesbians, career choices, and the story of their relationship. -
Charlie, January 7, 1989
Charlie talks about her life as a lesbian after twice being married to men. She discusses having two long committed lesbian relationships and the differing dynamics between her and those partners as a reflection of her age and comfort with herself. Charlie identifies as a Femme, and the Butch / Femme dynamic is explored. There is also discussion of her mother’s reaction to her lifestyle and the not somewhat non-forthcoming dynamic with her daughter.
Note: To listen to this recording, please contact the Lesbian Herstory Archives to make an appointment.Tags Liz Kennedy -
Cheryl, October 4, 1978 (Tape 2)
In the first few minutes of this tape Cheryl and the interviewer have a casual conversation discussing topics as, a gay computer dating services and gays in the service
Later in the tape Cheryl discusses how her relationships fall into patterns. From there she list characteristic she is attractive to in a partner.
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Lou, October 21, 1981 (Tape 2)
Lou discusses her experience raising children as a lesbian woman, discussing at length her love of children, and wanting them to have a better life then she did. She also discusses her experience with police harassment as both a black women, and a lesbian.
Side B includes songs about lesbians, their lives and realities, and their relationships with children and their families. -
Bonnie, June 9, 1984 (Tape 2)
Bonnie discusses rules of conduct within the lesbian community, including domestic violence, beginning and ending relationships, identifying as butch or femme, and domestic roles. Other topics include prostitution with women and men, bisexuality, definitions of lesbianism, types of relationships, and her rules of attraction. -
Andy, April 20, 1982 (Tape 2)
Andy further discusses how she came to construct her butch image. She recalls getting into fights with men and having to give up good jobs because she refused to give up her queer image and identity. She discusses her clash with a teacher when she was in school in the 1950s. She describes her relationship with a prostitute and other close relationships. On side B she talks about breaking into the butch scene and coming out. Andy talks about gay bars and places queer women were welcome or not. She discusses fashion and explains why they wore their t-shirts backward. -
Debra, February 20, 1980 (Tape 2)
Discusses her child, a son. He was the product of her one-day marriage. She kept him for about 8 months and then her brother and his wife took him and raised him. He would spend the summers with her until he was 12 and then he lived with her and spent the summers with her brother and his wife.
Believes lesbians make better mothers because they know more. She didn’t want her son to go into gay life because she felt it would be difficult for him, she doesn’t believe that gay men relationships last. She believes you can teach someone not to be gay.
They talk about gay men and lesbian relationships and social interactions. She would call upon her gay male friends to be her date to events that she needed a date, also sometimes family events. They talk about marriages between a gay man and gay woman. Debra says that she knew quite a few couples who had done that to put up a front, but that those relationships always worked out well. Debra also talks about marriage between two women. She never wanted to get married but knew women who did.
They also discuss alcoholism and drugs among the gay community.
On the second tape, Debra further discusses fights in the lesbian community. Madeline asks if she knew any lesbians who played sports in the 1940s and 1950s. Debra believes lesbians played sports but cannot definitely say so. -
Liz Kennedy, 1980 (Tape 2; no Tape 1)
This tape is part of a roundtable discussion between different researchers working on aspects of lesbian social history. Liz Kennedy discusses the early stages of work on the Buffalo lesbian community and how the project was changing from strictly an oral history and becoming a book. She also talks about how the interview format and questions have changed as a result of the earlier attempts and how they were surprised by some of what they were beginning to learn.Tags Liz Kennedy -
Lou and Jane, November 8, 1981 (Tape 4)
Lou and Jane discuss what life is like as an interracial lesbian couple. They discuss how white "studs" feel threatened by black "studs", feeling they will steal their women. Alcoholism is briefly discussed. They also discuss having to tell lies to their family to prevent them from knowing about their sexuality.
On Side B- Jane begins with her experience as Fem lesbian, and her difficulty with what that means to her. She talks about her difficulty with coming "out", and then is interrupted by one of their children.
Lou discusses her relationship with her Fem partner (Jane), as someone who self-identifies as a Butch. She discusses her choices in life, and her commitment to her relationship, her partner, and her family. She also talks about her disillusionment with the future, and her lack of hope for change. Lou references Jane's feelings, and her hope for Jane to recognize what it means to be a Fem.
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Judy, November 25, [year unknown]
Judy shares detailed aspects of her life as a gay woman in the 1940s; she talks about the first time she felt attracted to another girl at age nine, and what it felt like when she came out in 1944. The interview brings to light the array of conflicts and fears she experienced growing up at the heart of a devout Italian family in Buffalo, and the difficulties faced as a young woman living in New York City at the end of World War II. Some of the topics discussed include working conditions, relationships, gay and lesbian bar scenes, popular music, butch and femme, and clothing styles. -
DJ, January 6, 1980 (Tape 2)
DJ discusses her early experiences with women as a teenager, her feelings of being a tomboy, and her coming-out experience. She discusses her experiences in the bar scene in Buffalo in the 1950s, and describes ways in which women would interact with each other, but publicly and privately. DJ also discusses roles in relationships, particularly the butch and the femme. -
Judy, January 6, [year unknown]
Judy talks about her relationships with three different women and the role they each played in the relationship. She talks about gender identities and one relationship with a woman who wanted to be a man and had very mixed gender roles. She talks about not being able to talk about her relationships with her mother, yet comparing her relationship to that of her mother and father. She speaks about losing sexual interest in her partner and moving from an intimate relationship to just a friendship. -
Debra, February 20, 1980 (Tape 1)
Debra discusses her experiences as a lesbian. She talks about her first lesbian relationship when she was 12, how she was married for one day, how her mother knew something was different about her, and how her sister figured out she was a lesbian because she was only married for one day.
She talks about her relationships with women, how she never openly acknowledged that she was gay but if she was asked she wouldn’t deny it.
They discuss monogamy, she was mostly faithful, but she also talks about jealous partners and how when one is accused of things, one might as well and go ahead and do it.
She doesn’t believe that a lesbian relationship is any different than a straight relationship.
They discuss bars and areas in Buffalo that she would frequent: Moon Glow bar, Pearls bar, Ralph Martins, Ryan’s Hotel, Little Harlem. They also discuss dating rituals, fashion, and relationship/ courting roles. -
Cheryl, October 4, 1978 (Tape 1)
Side A: Cheryl discusses her experiences and the stereotypes that were associated with lesbians in college when she first first came out.
Side B: Cheryl discusses her relationships, including sexual relationships and partnerships. She shares her experiences and opinions about affairs, and monogamous and non-monogamous relationships. Generational differences within the lesbian community are also discussed. -
DJ, January 6, 1980 (Tape 3)
Side A: DJ continues her interview from tape SPW513. She finishes discussing her romantic relationships then moves on to discuss gay literature, specifically The Well of Loneliness. The topic of workplace discrimination is mentioned. DJ discusses relationships in the community through the venue of gay and straight bars. Relationships between straight men, lesbians, and bisexual women are discussed as well as race relations. Side B: DJ covers the topic of prostitution in the lesbian community. She speaks about the choice some lesbians make to marry men and have kids. -
Andy, March 30, 1982 (Tape 1)
Andy discusses the history of gay rights in Buffalo, New York, and describes how it feels like to be open about her sexual identity. She shares some of her childhood and early adulthood experiences in the 1950s and 60s –her first relationships and confronting the risk of losing her job. Other topics discussed include the gay and lesbian bar scene, raids, prostitution, butch and femme roles, and Andy’s experience within the African American gay community. -
Lou and Jane, November 8, 1981 (Tape 3)
The interviewee discusses the time she considered getting a sex change. She talks about religion. At the end she talks about getting respect. There is significant distortion at the end of the tape.
Lou and Jane discuss their sexual relationship and further aspects of female sexuality. -
Andy, April 28, 1982 (Tape 4)
At the start of the interview, Andy talks about the first time someone asked her about sex. She talks about her experience going with hookers. She discusses butches and femmes and argues that femmes aren't "true" lesbians. -
DJ, January 6, 1980 (Tape 1)
DJ discusses the time she went to the hospital and was diagnosed as a homosexual. She remembers that the doctor suggested she try going out with a man to determine the extent of her feelings toward women. She also recalls that the doctor told her she must learn to live with society and to control her emotions in public. -
Bonnie, June 9, 1984 (Tape 1)
Bonnie discusses the lesbian community in which she came out and lived during the 1960s. She describes the difference of experience for butch and femme lesbians in public during this time, the roles butches and femmes play within relationships, and the social expectations involved. Other topics include Bonnie's lesbian mother, alcoholism, lesbian bars, Bonnie becoming actively gay at Catholic school, her way of flirting, and monogamy and infidelity within the lesbian community. -
Judy, February 5, [year unknown]
Judy describes her experiences over the past thirty years up to the point of the interview. Topics discussed include cheating (“playing around”), polygamous lesbian relationships, fights in bars, holiday celebrations, friendship, same-sex marriage, religion, drinking, drugs, crime, mental health and treatment of lesbian women, the commonality of lesbian women seeking psychiatric treatment, the working environment for lesbian women, living alone, families of lesbian women, and one case of a lesbian woman raising a son. Judy believes that lesbian women should not raise children and has an extensive discussion about her reasoning. She ends the interview by discussing movie stars and entertainers that were popular among the lesbian community in the 1930s and 1940s. -
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Windsor, July 17, 1980
Windsor talks about what it was like coming out and her relationships, the death of her partner and how that affected her. She also talks about the changes in gay community and what it was like being single or in love. -
Anita, undated (Tape 2)
Anita talks about being in an interracial relationship with a white woman, and the roles of butch and femme. -
Anita, November 16, 1978 (Tape 1)
Anita talks about her first encounters with a relationship with a woman. She then speaks about the difficulties of raising her child. She also talks about the roles of Butch and Femme. -
Shane, undated (Tape 3)
Shane talks about the different lives she led during her youth. These different roles included working a job at Goodwill, dating and living with hookers on the weekends, and studying to become a Methodist minister as a man. She then talks about her current career as a trucker. -
Shane, undated (Tape 2)
Shane talks about running away from home with two girls after her father forced her to leave home. She then lived as a man in New Orleans under an assumed identity. She was arrested and held for 72 hours on suspicion of robbery. She recalls the people she met during her stay in jail. -
Shane, undated (Tape 1)
Shane talks about getting into trouble during her teenage years and how her father kept sending her to all-girls schools thinking it would straighten her out. She speaks about gay bars in Buffalo and Pittsburgh. She tells a story about running away from home to pursue a relationship, ending up involved with hustlers and begging her father to help her stay out of jail. She talks about moving back to Buffalo, getting a job, and how things have changed. -
Portia, September 24, 1978 (Tape 1)
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. -
Marge, June 4, 1980
Marge speaks of the bars in Buffalo, NY in the 1950s, specifically Bingo's, Chesterfield, Dugan's, Mardi Gras, and Carousel, which had more of an established lesbian clientele. She tells how Carousel changed from a lesbian to gay crowd in the late 1950s and eventually closed because of allowing "careless" behavior. She felt patrons of gay bars in the 1950s were more respectful than at the time of the interview in 1980. Marge was arrested for serving a minor female, which she felt was an attempt to close the bar where she worked. The tape cuts off at the end of the second side. -
Bobbie, June 30, 1984 (Tape 2)
Bobbie speaks on the nature of her various relationships, including patterns of sex and cohabitation, being confused about her significant other identifying as a man in public, she addresses the existence of her children, using men after prison to live and make money, attending gay reorientation church, her sexual practices, and the subject of the "Untouchable". -
Bobbie, June 30, 1984 (Tape 1)
She thinks people have the wrong opinion of lesbians, she says she feels alone in the bars, role playing was important that someone should be the more aggressive person in a relationship, talks about how she needs a butch in a relationship, thought of herself as a femme although she didn't dress feminine, describes a "dyke person", bar atmosphere and how she went to a bar every night to hit on the bartender, how much she enjoyed the bar scenes, prostitution, story about how she was abducted and raped by 3 men, about how she was in an abusive relationship, spending time in a correctional facility, sexual relationships while in jail -
Carol, October 17, 1978
Bad sound quality. Discusses that she doesn't think of her community of a lesbian community, though she can contribute to the lesbian community. Says she now stays away from gay bar communities because she is a teacher. Discusses running into students at bars, relationships, family. -
Buff, September 23, 1979
Talks about dating a prostitute, lesbian prostitutes, lesbians and butches having sex with men, lesbian pregnancy, clothing styles, -
Buff, October, 1978
Talks about community tattoos, race, being butch, the challanges of identity and expectations. Touches on past sexual abuse by her father, gender roles, identity, learning about gay life and her discovery process, friendship, clothing and identity, her marriage to a gay man, her suicide attempt. -
Buff, December 27, 1979
Buff discusses the impact of the Metropolitan Community church on her life and the gay-rights movement. Mentions activities in Tucson, AZ. She stresses that current lesbians should know that there is more to life than the bars, but that in her time in Buffalo she didn't feel there were places for community outside of them. Mentions her time in the army, realizing she was homosexual, and coming out. Discusses her time in the army, lesbians in the military, being in Seattle and Germany with the military just after the Korean war. She talks about the differences in gay identity and self identity in the past compared to now. -
Reggie, September 21, 1980
Discusses growing up in Buffalo, when she realized she was first gay at a young age, and going to clubs -
Elaine, June 28, 1982 (Tape 2)
Discussion on early childhood, being Canadian but growing up on an Indian Reservation near Syracuse. Also discusses being the head of a black gang, her relationship with her mother and abusive stepfather, and the jail time she spent for his murder, finding work (while hiding she was gay) and relationships. -
Elaine, April 17, 1980 (Tape 1)
Discussion centers on bars in Buffalo in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, in particular Bingo -
Enit, October 3, 1978 (Tape 2)
Enit discusses how her perception of Lesbian oppression has changed over time. She also talks about acceptance in the work place and how professionals view Lesbians. Enit explains that her personal interests have changed with age and that her hobby is dance. She finishes by discussing her interactions with straight women and the support she gets from her Lesbian friends. -
Enit, October 3, 1978 (Tape 1)
Enit discusses facing her sexuality at the age of 12 and coming out to her family despite her frustration at their lack of acceptance. She goes on to discuss her social life and dating in Buffalo, NY, noting how she used to meet women at bars but that her social activities have changed with age. She discusses her participation in the Erie Picnics held for gay men and women in Pennsylvania. She is 47 at the time of the interview. -
March on Washington / Pacifica Program Service, 1979 (Tape 3 of 4)
March on Washington on October 14, 1979, which dealt with the civil rights of the gay and lesbian community. Participants included Audre Lorde (who can be heard on side A about 80% through), Allen Ginsberg, Peter Orlovsky, Ted Weiss, Gotham, Tom Robinson, Howard Wallace, Kate Millet, and Flo Kennedy. Key topics included civil and human rights, the labor movement, racism, sexism, and love. Short technical glitches occur on Side A. -
March on Washington / Pacifica Program Service, 1979 (Tape 4 of 4)
Rally mediated by Audre Lorde given at the March on Washington on October 1979. Speech topics include rights of LGBT prisoners, parents, immigrants, and atheists. -
Voices of Women Writing Conference, April 30, 1982 (Tape 1)
Ms Holly makes assorted announcements then introduces Audre Lorde. She reads three poems: "For Each of You" "Poem for Women in Rage" "Sister, Morning is a Time for Miracles". Side B: Continuation of poem from Side A: "Sister, Morning is a Time for Miracles" Then reads: "After Images" Final Poem of reading: "On My Way to San Francisco I Pass Over You and the Verazano Bridge" -
Voices of Women Writing Conference, April and May, 1982 (Tape 2)
Audre Lorde is on the panel. Lorde speaks on side A after other panelists introduce themselves an on side B. This is the recording of a Community Workshop panel, mostly discussing obstacles to women writing, specifically, black womens literature. The recordings are fairly audible aside from some inaudible speakers who are not close enough to the recording device. -
The Personal or the Political - I / Conference on Feminist Theory, September 29, 1979
In addition to Audre Lorde, Linda Gordon, Manuela Prairie, Jessica Benjamin, Bonnie Johnston, Camille Bristow, and Susan McHenry participated in the panel. The recording includes a question and answer session between panelists and audience members. The topics discussed include racism, feminism, class oppression, individualism, sexuality, community, and sisterhood. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Coney Island / Lillian / Fashion]
Mabel Hampton discusses, with Joan Nestle, gender identity, attraction, men, and marriage. Mabel Hampton also discusses nicknames she shared with Lillian Foster, including "Little Bear" and "Big Bear." They look at photographs and reminisce about Coney Island, buying new clothes, and Nestle's preparation of slideshows for the LHA. The second half of the recording covers a few takes of stories surrounding Mabel's time living with Joan and Deb after an apartment fire, Mabel and Lillian's nicknames for each other, and the meaning of Mabel's fashion choices. -
Mabel Hampton, Morgan Gwenwald, Pam Hicks: Breakfast at Pam's, April 9, 1989 (Tape 2)
Pam Hicks and Morgan Gwenwald chat with Mabel Hampton over breakfast about mundane topics, including lost keys and colors. The three get in a car and try to find the cemetery where Mabel has purchased a plot to be buried in. They locate the cemetery, but it is closed to visitors, so they proceed on to see if they can find where she purchased the tombstone. -
Mabel Hampton, Morgan Gwenwald, Pam Hicks: Breakfast at Pam's, April 9, 1989 (Tape 1)
Morgan Gwenwald visited Mabel Hampton at Pam Hicks' place. Over breakfast, they talked about the dreams Mabel had been having lately, how people thought about her. Morgan made plans to visit Lillian's cemetery with Mabel together and listened to a tape that Mary gave Mabel. -
Mabel Hampton talks about Lillian and more, January, 1988 (Tape 1)
Mabel discusses meeting Lillian Foster, her wife, Lillian's childhood, and their life together in the community as well as various events they were a part of against the backdrop of World War II. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [1920s / World War II]
Side A: Mabel Hampton describes meeting other lesbians and associating with other women "in the life". Also discussed is her experience during the 1920s of being set up and sentenced to serve three years for a fabricated prostitution charge at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women. Side B: Mabel's WWII era activities, including being an Air Raid Warden in Harlem, and meeting married women who ""came out"" during their husband's absence due to the war." -
Mabel Hampton Life Stories, November 20, 1978 (Tape 1)
Mabel discusses the importance of lesbian writing and how she considers being a lesbian to be the most important aspect in shaping her life. She goes on to give a description of her childhood. She also describes the the girl with whom she had her first lesbian experience. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Lillian Foster / Femininity]
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel talks about Lilian Foster, her partner, that she has never dated any man, and is a feminine type of lady who likes to dress up. -
Mabel Hampton, 1982 (Tape 1)
Side A: Some discussion of when Mabel first heard the word lesbian, her experiences as a dancer. Side B: Mable describes her experiences caring for children, finding freedom as a child, running away from her aunt and uncle to New Jersey to live with the White family, and her spirituality. -
Mabel Hampton, 1988 (Tape 1)
Mabel discusses her early life as a lesbian in the Village between the two world wars, including the rooming house where she lived and the parties she attended. She describes how women dressed, what they ate at the parties, what they did at the parties, including dancing, the records they listened to, and the general social life of these parties. She describes the interracial relations between white and black lesbians. She also discusses the language lesbians used to describe themselves at the time, including "bulldaggers", "lady lovers", and "butches". She also tells the story of a large lesbian marriage ceremony in Central Park West, officated by a gay minister named Rev. Monroe and how the couple managed to get an offical marriage certificate. She also discusses gay life in Harlem and the New York City drag balls. -
Mabel Hampton, November 28, 1986 (Tape 1)
Mabel talks about her life at theater Lafayette on Coney Island in the 20s. She also talks about the dress code of her and her friends; also the language describing lesbians back in the 1920s. -
Mabel Hampton's Story, July, 1986 (Tape 4)
Mabel describes her life after being released from Bedford Hills, relationships with women in the early 20th century, economic and working situation, and more details about her family history (including the murder of her mother, the death of her father, Mabel's rape by her uncle). -
Mabel Hampton's Story, July, 1986 (Tape 3)
Mabel describes her 1923 arrest (at age 18) and term at Bedford Hills Prison, and the period shortly thereafter. -
Mabel Hampton, 1981 (Tape 1)
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses her relationships during her twenties, including how and why she chose her sexual partners and her relationships with married women. She relates a story about being caught with her partner's husband and hiding under the bed. -
Statement of Purpose; Visitor Feedback / Lesbian Herstory Archives
Oral history recording that documents the history and legacy of the Lesbian Herstory Archives. Members of LHA recite the LHA Statement of Purpose from 1974. This is followed by the reading of quotes (with multiple, unidentified readers) from appreciative visitors to LHA. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Coney Island / Mildred]
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Side A: Mabel discusses Coney Island, and her relationships with women, including Mildred Mitchell. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [The Twenties and Life With Lillian]
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel Hampton reminisces about her life in the early 1920s. Mabel talks about going to Coney Island, cabarets, and various parties around New York City where women could meet other women. She discusses her friends and relationships with particular emphasis on Lillian Foster. -
Mabel Hampton Singing and Talking
Oral history interview with Mabel Hampton. Side A: Mabel sings and talks about her life with Lillian Foster, and stories from her youth. Side B: She describes her life in Jersey City, Coney Island and the rape by her uncle. She also talks about the pitfalls of falling in love, and being a working woman at 80 years old. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Coming out / Lillian]
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel talks about her childhood; coming out with a woman she met at Coney Island; her relationship with Lillian Foster; the LHA and her respect for Joan Nestle and Deborah Edel. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Lillian Foster / Youth]
Oral history interview with Mabel Hampton. Mabel tells stories of different women she dated and how she met Lillian Foster, who would be her partner from 1932-1978. She also talks about friends and jobs she had in her youth. -
Mabel Hampton's Story, July, 1986
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel describes running away from home and the New Jersey family who cared for her, while they sought Mabel's family. Mabel falsified her personal information in order to avoid reuniting with her abusive uncle in New York. Mabel speaks of her early 20s, her interaction within the underground gay and lesbian community. She begins explaining her 1923 arrest at Bedford Hills Prison and how she was setup by her friend's husband for prostitution. Side A = 9:38 minutes -
Mabel Hampton July, 1986
Oral History interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses her early life in South Carolina and New York. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Parties / 1930s]
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses "slumming party" where she first met A'Lelia Walker, and what it was like being gay during the 1930s. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Gay Language and Culture]
Oral History interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses the language and culture of being gay in her time. -
Mabel at 85 (Tape 1)
Interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses her life with Lillian Foster, the lesbian movement, and performing and singing. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Marriage / Jealousy]
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses lesbian marriage in the 1930s and 1940s, including stories of women getting married and where the ceremonies were. She tells stories about women she knew who had husbands and families, jealousy among women, and passion. She talks about her own experiences with passion and jealousy, including her crushes and relationships. She discusses her first relationship with a white woman, women she had crushes on, women she felt threatened by, her relationship with Lillian, and an experience at a "party house" in Bedford Hills. At the end of the tape there is a discussion about Lillian's tombstone and what to put on it. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Books / Working at the Lesbian Herstory Archive / Documentary]
Oral History interview of Mabel Hampton. Conversations between Joan and Mabel about a book Mabel enjoyed, working at the Lesbian Herstory Archives, a documentary film in the making, and Mabel's early life and sexuality. -
Mabel Hampton's Journey to New York
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel describes her early childhood and rural upbringing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She details her journey from Winston-Salem to New York City to live with her aunt. Mabel continues her story with her development into a young lesbian woman and the issues concerning lesbianism in the North versus the South. She speaks about her lifestyle and her no-regrets stance on her life. Her connection with her childhood is vivid and candid and is described in detail. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Early Childhood]
Oral History interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel describes her early childhood and rural upbringing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the early 1900s. Notable facts include her mother's death (possibly by poisoning) not long after Mabel's birth, and that Mabel was very small (perhaps premature) at birth. Mabel also discusses a range of subjects including a description of and anecdotes about her early caretaker, life on a farm/agricultural setting, and memories of going to church. -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Stories of Performing / Singing]
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses meeting her partner Lillian Foster in 1932, whom she was with for 40 years until her passing in 1979. Mabel also mentions highlights of her professional career including performing at the World's Fair (perhaps 1939 World's Fair in New York), Carnegie Hall and Coney Island. Mabel also recounts a story involving an incident with a classmate in her youth. The tape finishes with a rendition of "My Buddy", sung by an unidentified vocalist and pianist -
Mabel Hampton Interview [Married Women / Singing]
Oral history interview with Mabel Hampton. Side A: Mabel discusses relationships she had with married women. She also discusses what she wore when she was in her early 20s and about her feelings about the openness of lesbians today. Side B: Mabel sings two songs- "My Buddy" and "Come to Me". -
Mabel Hampton Interview [New Jersey / Singing]
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Side A: Mabel tells the story of her arrival in New Jersey, and how she found the people who first took her there. Side B: Mabel sings the American popular song, "My Buddy", and also explains how she left her uncle in New York and went to New Jersey. She talks in detail about the first couple days that she spent in a home in Jersey City, and her reticence to discuss details about her origins with the people that took her in. Additional discussion includes a description of the first time she was kissed by a woman, and why she didn't pursue relationships with married women. -
Mabel Hampton for Feminary / Mabel Hampton; Joan Nestle, 1979 (Tape 1)
Oral history interview for Feminary: A Lesbian-Feminist Journal for the South. Joan Nestle interviews Mabel Hampton at 77. Mabel describes her childhood in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, her train journey to New York City, the city vs. the country, meeting lesbians and her views on race, sisterhood and the fight for lesbian rights. -
Mabel's Parties / Mabel Hampton, 1981 (Tape 1)
Oral History interview dated . Side A: Mabel talks about the parties she attended, the atmosphere, the people she met and the music she listened to. She also speaks in detail about romantic relationships with specific women and her first love from Coney Island. Her love of classical music is also discussed, which began when she started her first job. -
Joan Nestle / Mabel Hampton [undated]
Oral history recording of Joan Nestle. Side A: Joan Nestle speaks about lesbian self-expression and the importance of language to identity. She goes on to talk about her early life and how she was motivated to take a stand against the oppression she saw around her in society, specifically oppression against women and lesbians. Side B: Mabel Hampton takes over as the main speaker and recounts her life story, beginning when she was only one month old. Mabel discusses her early years, including the crucial transition from living with her grandmother to living with her aunt, and how she eventually decided to run away to Jersey City. -
Mabel Hampton, Lillian Foster, 1976 (Tape 1)
Audio cassette. Oral History Interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses her first girlfriend, a white woman she met while working at a girl's school. She also discusses her three year relationship with a married woman she worked for as a domestic worker, whom she considers her first love. In addition, she discusses her life as a dancer and her trips to a private lesbian club, frequented by notable women. She then relates how she was briefly abducted, attacked and robbed, and how she escaped and how her friends sought revenge on her attackers. -
Conflicts in the Black Lesbian Community, Brooklyn NY, organized by the Committee on the Visibility of the Other Black Woman (Tape 2 of 3)
Event organized by the Committee for the Visibility of the Other Black Woman. Audre Lorde moderates community discussion and dialogue including issues of identity, cross cultural conflicts, classism, and ageism. She also introduces panelists' presentations. Her most sustained comments are on SPW1163, as she introduces the panel on identity. -
Conflicts in the Black Lesbian Community, Brooklyn NY, organized by the Committee on the Visibility of the Other Black Woman (Tape 3 of 3)
Audre Lorde moderates community discussion and dialogue including issues of identity, cross cultural conflicts, classism, & ageism. She also introduces panelists -
Third World Lesbian Writers Conference featuring Audre Lorde, Yvonne Flowers, and Robin Christian, 1979
Audio recording of the Third World Lesbian Writers Conference that took place on March 24, 1979. This is one of two tapes from the workshop, the second tape is missing. This is a workshop with Audre Lorde, Yvonne Flowers, and Robin Christian. Audre Lorde is on Side 1. Joan Nestle, Deb Edel, and Candice Wood are mentioned. -
March on Washington/Pacifica Program Service, 1979 (Tape 1 of 4)
Tape 1 of 4 of a collection of cassette recordings of the NPR/Pacifica Radio national broadcast of coverage of the 1979 Washington DC march and rally for gay rights. Side A includes speeches by Robin Tyler, Troy Perry, Adelle Starr, and Michiko Cornell, as well as brief interviews with spectators in the crowd. Topics covered on side A include general theme of gay rights, as well as advocacy for gay youth and gay Asian Americans. Side B includes speeches by Rene McCoy, Bill Blish, Arly Scott, Maria Diaz, and Steve Alt, as well as brief interviews with spectators in the crowd. Topics covered include general gay/civil rights themes, advocacy for promotion of parental support for gay/lesbian children and discussion of Mayor Berry decision to declare "Gay/Lesbian Awareness Week". Side B. also also includes the song, "Not Anymore", (performed by Celebration). -
"Lesbians and Literature" panel discussion at MLA conference, 1977
Preceded by short presentation from representative of the recently vandalized Diana Press. Speakers, in order of appearance: moderator Julia Stanley (unnamed on tape); Mary Daly; Audre Lorde (11:38 into Side B); Judith McDaniel; Adrienne Rich. Lorde's speech is the original draft of her essay "The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action." -
Conflicts in the Black Lesbian Community, Brooklyn NY, organized by the Committee on the Visibility of the Other Black Woman (Tape 1 of 3)
Event organized by the Committee for the Visibility of the Other Black Woman. Audre Lorde moderates community discussion and dialogue including issues of identity, cross cultural conflicts, classism, and ageism. She also introduces panelists' presentations. Her most sustained comments are on SPW1163, as she introduces the panel on identity. -
Astraea Benefit, "Conversation with Poems," 1981 (Tape 1 of 2)
Benefit for the Astraea Foundation, "Conversation with Poems." Introduced by unnamed speaker. Poetry reading and conversation with Audre Lorde and Adrienne Rich; includes speech, poetry, and remarks. -
March on Washington / Pacifica Program Service, 1979 (Tape 2 of 4)
The second of four recordings of Pacifica Radio coverage of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on October 14, 1979. Musical performances by Mary Watkins, Meg Christian, and Holly Near. Speeches by Ray Hill and Charles Law. -
The Personal or the Political - II / Conference on Feminist Theory, 1979
Audre Lorde continues her presentation as part of “The Personal and the Political” panel held at the Second Sex Conference on September 29, 1979. Audience members pose questions and make comments regarding the intersections between race, class, sexual orientation, and gender and feminism in response to Audre Lorde’s speech, “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House”, from SPW1155. -
Astraea Benefit, "Conversation with Poems," 1981 (Tape 2 of 2)
Benefit for the Astraea Foundation, "Conversation with Poems." Poetry reading and conversation with Audre Lorde and Adrienne Rich; includes speech, poetry, and remarks. -
"Poetry" radio program on WBAI hosted by Susan Howe, undated
Audre Lorde appears on Susan Howe's WBAI radio program "Poetry." She reads "Black Studies," "To My Daughter The Junkie On The Train," "To The Girl Who Lives In A Tree," "Song For A Thin Sister," "Oya," and "The Brown Menace" from her book New York Head Shop and Museum. On Side B, she reads newer poems including, "Solstice," "Dahomey," "Nobody Wants To Die On The Way," "School Note," and "Power." -
Modern Language Association Conference in Chicago, 1977
Modern Language Association Conference in Chicago, December 1977. Lesbian Feminist Poetry Reading featuring six poets. Side A includes Joan Larkin, Barbara Smith and Diedre McCalla. Side B includes Melanie Kaye, Adrienne Rich and Audre Lorde; Audre Lorde appears at 28:07 on SPW1151_B (Side B). -
Power, Oppression and the Politics of Culture: A Lesbian/Feminist Perspective; Fourth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women, August 25, 1978, (Tape 2 of 3)
Audio recording of a panel presentation at the Fourth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women. "Power, Oppression and the Politics of Culture: A Lesbian/Feminist Perspective" included Audre Lorde -
Power, Oppression and the Politics of Culture: A Lesbian/Feminist Perspective; Fourth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women, August 25, 1978, (Tape 1 of 3)
Audio recording of a panel presentation at the Fourth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women. Includes Audre Lorde. -
Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center (2nd Tuesday Series), 1986
Audre Lorde reading her poems for the "2nd Tuesday Series" at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center, New York City. Side A: Recorded at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center, New York City. Sponsored by the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center, Women's Poetry Center at Hunter College, New York. Poet Audre Lorde reads thirteen poems many from her new book. [Poems: Notes from a Trip to Russia, Sisters in Arms, Holographs, Political Relations, A Question of Climate, There are No Honest Poems about Dead Women, A Question of Essence, For the Record: (In memory of Eleanor Bumpurs), Making Love to Concrete, Women on Trains. Never to Dream of Spiders and Call.] Side B: Question and answer session with a collection for the Sisters in Support of South Africa. -
Pat, June 6, 1978 (Tape 1)
Side A: Pat discusses her definition of lesbianism and her attitude towards “radical lesbians.” She also discusses her background, including her relationship with her family and her experience at an all-girls Catholic school. She talks about how and when she realized she was a lesbian and describes her early relationships with women. She discusses leaving home and experiencing gay bars for the first time in the 1950s. Finally, she discusses butch and femme roles and how they have changed.
Side B: Pat discusses why she does not have many gay friends and why she does not identify with the lesbian community. She talks about her relationships and her feelings about sex. -
Dorothy, October 26, 1981 (Tape 1)
Side A
Dorothy discusses lesbians in the military during World War II with regard to her friend Betty, a lesbian marine who feared her phone was tapped. She refers to it as a 'witch hunt'. Dorothy discusses lesbian bars in Buffalo in the 1940s -1950s, and talks about friendships and butch and femme roles.
Side B
Dorothy discusses her break up with her girlfriend of 13 years, Charlotte. She talks about their courtship, sexuality, home life, and their families, who were never formally told they were a couple. While talking about the break up she mentions the deed to a cottage they shared and losing personal property in the breakup. Dorothy mentions seeking help from a lawyer and a lesbian psychologist in the 1950s. Dorothy discusses that she once considered suicide after a breakup.
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Phil, January 9, 1980
Side 3: Phil begins the interview by discussing the dynamics of living with her lover and husband under the same roof, as well her lack of shame or guilt in being gay. She then talks about guilt among other lesbians she knew. Related to this, she discusses reasons people were not public about their lesbian identity, including work and family commitments. She spends the majority of this side of the tape talking about her long-term, intimate relationship with her best friend. She discusses the difference between butch and femme friends, as well as the distinct features of a close friend versus a lover. -
Joe, April 18, 1979 (Tape 2)
Joe offers suggestions for local history sources, research materials, and other interview subjects. He also shares anecdotes of his travels to San Francisco. -
Judy T., 1978
Judy discusses butch and femme identities, social interactions, and role-play within relationships. She expresses relief over how these once rigid demarcations of identity have become more flexible within the lesbian community. Later, however, she notes "class" differences that continue to striate lesbians as a social group.
The social conditions, the acceptance of lesbians, and the "openness" of homosexuals are compared between New York, Florida, and Toronto. References are made to anti-gay activist Anita Bryant and others who put social pressure on lesbians to stay closeted.
Additionally, Judy touches upon negotiating workplace discrimination and "nosy" neighbors. She briefly mentions her relationship with her family and what it was like growing up in Buffalo.
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Phil, January 18, 1980
Phil talks about being in a relationship with another woman and how she provided for her. She also goes on to talk about how other butch femmes provided for their partners and what would happen when they would break up. Phil further goes on to talk about gay literature and her problems with it. She also discusses gay bars and the lack of support for them. -
Dorothy, October 26, 1981 (Tape 2)
Side A
Dorothy discusses how women met one another, sexuality, and her various relationships. Particular focus is on her 10 year relationship with her girlfriend during the mid 1950s to mid 1960s.
Side B
Dorothy discusses how she feels about children and the fact that she never any. She gives her opinion on two women raising a child, and talks about her friends who are now married to men who raised children. In addition, she continues her thoughts on sexuality and butch-femme roles.
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Dorothy, October 2, 1981 (Tape 2)
Dorothy talks generally of leisure activities, relationships, and sexual relations. She then talks at length about one long-term relationship with Harriette, mentioning their business, break up, life-long friendship, and Harriettes other relationships.
She talks first of weekend activities or leisure activities such as house parties, picnics, and going to bars. She talks in general about sexual relations, mentioning "daisy chain" sex, and attitudes towards sex and equality in love-making. She talks in general about long-term relationships and breaking up. She then answers questions and talks at length about her long-term relationship with Harriette, their break up and lasting friendship. She mentions their first car and the business they owned together. She talks of monogamy. She talks of Harriette's later marriage and other relationships. Dorothy talks of her opinion of bi-sexuality and of Harriette's marriage and relationships.
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Dorothy, October 26, 1981 (Tape 3)
Dorothy discusses her lifelong identity as a lesbian and her uncharacteristic history in adopting both the butch and femme roles in prior relationships. She talks about being the child of a single mother (her father died when she was two years old) and also describes her hobbies. She says she has always been very mechanically inclined and has also always been an avid reader. She suspects that being an avid reader influenced her ability to understand and be accepting of herself. She also discusses her education and career and her treatment as a lesbian on the job. She was the first female member of the American Society of Tool Designers and later became a technical librarian and engineering researcher. She also speaks about her friendships and non-sexual relationships with both gay and straight women. She notes the differences between those relationships and how her mannerisms and level of self-consciousness also differ in those interactions. -
Judy T., 1979 (Tape 2)
Judy discusses her views of gay men, including her belief that all so-called gay men are in fact bisexual. -
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Joan with Donna and Doris, April, 1978
Joan talks about how she went to jail and her experiences while she was held there. -
Mary T., July 7, 1978 (Tape 1)
Side A: Mary briefly describes her childhood and family dynamics. Mary and the interviewer then discuss the first time Mary recognized being different and her thoughts on desiring women at a young age, yet not knowing about lesbianism as a concept or about the lesbian community. Mary then recalls the first time she encountered the word "lesbian" when she joined the U.S. Air Force and describes her experiences with women while in the service. Mary talks about being a lesbian in the military, the investigation into her conduct, and her dishonorable discharge. After Mary got another job, she started going to a bar in Buffalo, N.Y., and she talks about the other lesbians she met there. Mary then discovered other bars and talks about the scene as well as the role-playing of butch and femme.
Constant whirring noise that stops about 10 minutes into the recording.
Side B: Mary continues the discussion on butch and femme role-playing. She elaborates on fights, holding down jobs, and being "out." She also explains the relationships lesbians had with gay men in Buffalo, N.Y., and the bar scene dynamics of mixed, gay, or lesbian bars. Mary and the interviewer discuss gay activism and the difficulties of being involved in activism at that time. Mary also describes outings where there was a risk of being visible as a group, such as going on picnics or renting cottages. She elaborates on her experience with social dynamics like cliques and having heterosexual friends within the lesbian and gay community. Mary then expands upon the nature of her relationships with women as well as with black lesbians - racial prejudice and relationships are discussed.
Constant whirring noise that stops about 5 minutes into the recording. -
Cindy and Joan
Cindy or Joan (speaker unclear) discusses her experience of growing up in a working class family. She also discusses going to bars as she got older, and her relationships with women. She describes lesbians being harassed by police officers in the past. She also describes how her car was vandalized once, which she thinks was because she is a lesbian.
Speakers' identities are unclear throughout. Recording label identifies Cindy and Joan but it is hard to tell if there are actually two separate speakers.
Sound quality is poor. Tape cuts off abruptly at the end. -
Linda, November 19, 1978 (Tape 2)
Linda discusses work and how her coworkers knew that she is a lesbian, which did not bother them. She recalls beginning to wear men's clothes to work in the 1970s when women began to wear pants. Linda discusses her relationship, and how her life centers around her lover. She believes that the younger generation is less monogamous than hers. Linda also discusses butch and femme dynamics in relationships.
The sound quality is poor in the beginning. The tape cuts off abruptly at the end. -
Joan, September 11, 1978 (Tape 2)
Joan discusses permanent relationships and other lesbians' relationships, dating process, how she and others approach lesbians they are interested in, and terminologies in dating (example: when do you start "going" with someone, and is it actually called "going"?). She identifies herself first as a lesbian, second as an African American. She talks about racism in the white lesbian community and the acceptance of black lesbians in black communities, which she says has to do with class. She talks about the black movement and gay/women's liberation in Buffalo. She describes how she's dressed. -
Pat G., May 21, [year unknown] (Tape 2)
Pat shows family photos. She says several of her family members were gay, including her mother and brother. She talks about bars, the 557 and 217, with racially mixed clientele. She describes violence when straight men tried to dance with gay women. She mentions other favorite bars from the 1950s: the Chesterfield, the KittyCat, Club Coco, the 469. Pat describes her relationships, many of which involved "messing around on and off" for many years. She describes coming out to her mother at age 13, and talks about the "white girls from Canada" (lesbians) who were her mother's friends. -
Dorothy, October 2, 1981 (Tape 1)
Side A: Dorothy discusses her personal life and how she came to discover that she was a lesbian. She talks about her marriage and separation. She discusses her relationships with women, all of which were long-term. Dorothy talks about her job in engineering as a tool designer and the fact that she performed a man's work for a man's salary. She discusses lesbian social life during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s and names several popular bars including Eddy's Tavern, Ralph Martin. She talks about her developing alcoholism and the prominence of this disease among lesbians in general, perhaps as a result of their uncertainty about life. Dorothy also talks about butch and femme roles in lesbianism, stating that she doesn't identify herself with either role despite the fact that the butches identified her as one of them.
Side B: Dorothy continues the discussion of roles in lesbianism and the division between the two groups in bars. She says that her "crowd" did not distinguish between these two groups and she ultimately stopped going to bars, partly as a result of the need for role division. She discusses in some depth her problem with alcohol and talks about her membership in Alcoholics Anonymous. She talks about how she decided that she was a lesbian and gives further details about her first relationship. She also speculates on whether or not other people knew she was a lesbian, including her mother and acquaintances such as her landlord. She says that she has never had any problems with people discriminating against her. Dorothy also continues to talk about the social dynamics of bars in Buffalo. -
Pat G., May 21, [year unknown] (Tape 1)
Side A: Pat discusses her experiences as an African American lesbian. She developed friendships and relationships with both white and black gay women in the 1950s. She denies there were any racial tension in the Buffalo lesbian community; Pat says her experience was very inclusive. She also discusses experiencing police harassment, but says that she longer experiences discrimination from law enforcement. Pat discusses her wardrobe in the 1950s, which was composed of mens' clothing, and where she used to shop.
Side B: Pat discusses her friendship and romantic relationship with Jerry Jones, a male impersonator, who was well known in the 1950s Buffalo lesbian community. Pat discusses her move to Albany, N.Y., in the late 1950s and the birth of her daughter in 1957. She also mentions her experiences at after-hour bars which were only open to African Americans. While she used to frequent them in her early years, she no longer goes. Pat identifies as a butch lesbian and discusses the differences between butches and femmes. When she was younger she did not allow her partner to touch her during sex, but is much more open to the idea now. According to Pat, many butch lesbians did not receive sexual contact from their partners. -
Paula, January 18, 1990 (Tape 2)
Paula describes the absence of love and romance in her relationships with women, but later in the interviews describes a relationship after her divorce. She mentions one-night stands and sexual experiences she had with friends, and the importance of these friendships to her. Paula mentions that she was married and had children, and would go out to bars at night with her friends or alone. -
Pat and DJ, November 11, 1986 (Tape 3)
Side A: Pat and DJ discuss the characteristics of femme identity. The interviewers say they are looking to interview more femmes, which leads to a discussion of the names and locations of lesbians who were a part of the community in the 1940s. The interviewers also mention the difficulties of interviewing lesbians who have not come out. The group discusses why butches are more willing to talk. Pat talks about her time at the Good Shepherd home. There is a brief discussion about the role of lesbians in World War II.
Cut off at 0:14:55
Side B: The group continues their discussion of the interview process, including who is willing to talk and who is not, as well as who will use their names and who will not. There is more discussion about beatings. Pat tells of coming out to her mother. Her mother only worries about the violence Pat is subjected to, on account of being butch. There is a long discussion about the nature of breakups and their aftermath. The group discusses the role of third parties in most breakups and the way a butch or femme reacts to a breakup. The issue of "passing" comes up, and Pat talks about working as a cab driver and passing as a man. Often, the children of femmes did not know that their mothers' partners were actually women. The interview concludes with a description of the rules for asking other butches' girlfriends to dance, and the fights that sometimes ensued. This point in the discussion highlights the difference between the generation of the interviewees and the generation of the interviewers. -
Mary K., December 12, 1981
Side A: Mary discusses her experiences in the gay community in Buffalo in the 1950s. She discusses in detail the gay bar scene and describes the clientele at the Carousel, Bingo's, and the Chesterfield. The interviewee also describes the dynamic of the relationships she experienced and observed in terms of both race and gender identity. Mary also discusses prostitution in the Buffalo community during the 1950s. She describes some of her own sexual and relationship experiences.
Side B: Continuing the conversation from Side A, Mary discusses in more detail the types of people she observed in the various bars in Buffalo, as well as her family. She explains that she got along with her family, but never came out to them, in spite of which her father never questioned her about her relationships or pressured her to get married. She also discusses the socio-economic status of various gay communities throughout Buffalo. Both the interviewer and the interviewee discuss butch and femme identities within the larger context of the lesbian community in Buffalo. Mary speaks in more detail about her social experiences. -
Mary Ann, October 15, 1988 (Tape 2)
Mary Ann talks about posing as a prostitute for men in a straight bar. She would arrange a meet-up location and then she and two girl friends would overpower and rob men. She describes several muggings she and her two friends carried out. One happened in a hotel; another took place in a man's house with his family there. She claims she and her friends never hurt anybody "more than they had to." Mary Ann also talks about the distinction between gay bars and bars where she would go to hustle. Gay bars were places to have fun with friends and not for prostitution. In one aside, the interviewer asks Mary Ann why she calls her girlfriend "my man," to which she replies that's the way her lover wanted to be addressed. -
Pat and DJ, November 11, 1986 (Tape 2)
Side A: Pat and DJ continue the discussion of relationships during the 1950s from tape cassette SPW457. The two women discuss aspects of how to make relationships long-lasting and the importance or lack thereof of sexual intimacy in relationships. Both Pat and DJ discuss personal opinions related to intimacy in relationships, particularly in long-term relationships. The discussion then turns to types of attraction and intimacy.
Side B: Pat and DJ continue to discuss relationships during the 1950s and talk about reasons for breaking up. The discussion revolves around the importance of taking care of a woman and being able to satisfy her needs. The two women discuss the negative stigma of cheating. The discussion turns to take pride in a partner and the importance of her appearance and physical presence. Pat and DJ also talk about the presence of violence during relationships in the 1950s, listing insecurity between partners as the main reason. The two women speak specifically of violence in bars as a result of talking to another woman’s lady or challenging femmes in relationships to talk to other women. They discuss how much of this behavior was learned from lesbian role models of the 1940s. -
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Paula, January 18, 1990 (Tape 1)
Side A: Paula describes various locations where gay men and women would meet each other, like Kleinman's Corner and bars such as Ralph Martin's. Often these locations also served as hubs for sex workers. She speaks about the rigidly defined roles of "butch" and "femme" provided for lesbians during the 1940s. Paula talks about her life as femme and being married to a man who introduced her to gay/lesbian life. She discusses her sexual life and the type of sex that women had with each other in the 1940s, specifically within the strict binary of butch and femme. Paula recalls the social life at bars, such as Ralph Martin's, which included dancing, drag shows, prostitution, and drugs.
Side B: Paula speaks about her family life in relation to her sexual identity. She talks about her husband's fast lifestyle and her changing preferences eventually causing the dissolution of their marriage. Paula mentions the types of employment she has had, including working in department stores, as a waitress, as a desk clerk at the Genesee Hotel, and on the assembly line at Bell Aircraft. She speaks more about various bars that she went to: Pat's, Dugan's, the Carousel, and the Carlton Hotel. She talks about a long-term relationship that she had, after her divorce, that lasted ten years, as well as traveling out of the Buffalo area to places like Florida, California, and Utica, N.Y.
The recording cuts off abruptly after 23 minutes. -
Pat, June 6, 1978 (Tape 2)
Side A: Pat talks about her childhood in North Port, N.Y., her relationship with her parents and siblings. She goes into detail about her estranged relationship with her older sister. She describes when she first knew that she was a lesbian and tells the history of her relationships with women. She starts with her first affair at age 13, with a nun from her Catholic school - Sister Eugenie - to a relationship she had with Maryann (Marty). She describes her time at nursing school in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and the gay bars she frequented until she moved to Florida with her then girlfriend. She says she moved to Buffalo, N.Y., in the late 1950s, and describes the Buffalo bar scene, mentioning Dingles, Mardi Gras, the Chesterfield, the Carousel and the Carol Hotel. Pat mentions that the Carousel was very elite, something she did not like. This leads her into a discussion on “role play†and how important it was to distinguish oneself as either a butch or a femme. She classified herself as butch, but stated that she was very uncomfortable with the label and now prefers to be less overt.
Side B: In this interview Pat talks about how she does not like or feel comfortable in the gay community. She has never identified with it, or been made to feel welcome. This is one of the reasons that she does not maintain friendships with other lesbians, unless she is having a sexual relationship with them. She mentions being victimized and physically assaulted because she was a butch lesbian. Interviewer Madeline enters the discussion, speaking about her own sexual experiences with women. Madeline classifies Pat as “untouchable,†something that Pat denies, stating that she is simply very private. She feels that sex is a necessary but not important part of a relationship; it is something that is never sought or welcomed. She is suspicious of those who claim to experience sexual pleasure, including Madeline. -
Pat and DJ, November 11, 1986 (Tape 1)
Side A: Liz and Madeline ask Pat and DJ for feedback on a draft of "Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold." Pat claims the book paints too rosy a picture of lesbian life, underplaying the prejudice most lesbians encountered in the 1940s and '50s. Both talk about the Buffalo bar scene in the 1940s and '50s: mentioned are Carousel, Bingo's, the Chesterfield, Ralph Martin's, the Mardi Gras, and the Midtown. The discussion shifts to relationships, faithfulness, and prostitutes.
Recording has loud feedback sounds and squeaks at the beginning.
Side B: Pat and DJ discuss bar denizens vs. lesbians who did not frequent bars and the "class" distinction there, and also the way non-butch lesbians looked down on butches. DJ describes how her long-term relationships were analogous to marriage, where she was the breadwinner and her partners were housewives who perhaps worked but did not "provide." Both discuss the fact that in the 1940s and '50s butches had the freedom to have affairs whereas femmes were expected to be faithful. This created an atmosphere of mistrust in which monogamous long-term relationships became very difficult.
Recording has loud squeaks at the beginning, hisses throughout, and cuts off abruptly at the end. -
Mary Ann, October 15, 1988 (Tape 1)
Side A: Mary Ann discusses her experiences going out in public with her girlfriends, and the treatment they receive at restaurants, bars, and on the street. She mentions that their public treatment is very often instigated by the masculine way her partners are dressed; she herself has always been very femme. Mary Ann talks about her incarceration for robbery, and her time in a psychiatric hospital for depression and attempted suicide.
Side B: Mary Ann continues to discuss her time in jail. She took on a butch look, and began to receive small gifts under her cell door from femme girls in other divisions. She developed relationships with different girls that she worked with while in jail, and talks about lookouts, or "chickies," standing watch for girls who were with their partners in the showers or elsewhere. She then talks about her sex life with a long-term partner of 22 years, with whom she raised foster children. Later, she touches on her job as a dancer at Buffalo clubs, and a two-year period when she worked as a prostitute. -
Joan, September 11, 1978 (Tape 1)
Side A: Joan discusses the distinction between butch and femme lesbians, the differences between the white and black gay communities, the Buffalo lesbian bar scene, and coming out in the 1960s.
Side B: Joan discusses the class divisions in the lesbian community, the university gay scene, and her personal, professional, and romantic history. -
Linda, November 19, 1978 (Tape 1)
Linda talks about her relationships and the idea there are no longer clearly defined lesbian roles (i.e. butch and femme) in relationships, as there were when she first came out in the 1960s. She describes her family life growing up and when she came out to her family. -
Joe, April 18, 1979 (Tape 1)
Side A: Joe talks about the social atmosphere in the 1920s through the 1940s. He talks about Service Clubs and Music Circles as vehicles for social interaction but claims not to know of any exclusively gay or lesbian social groups. He also talks about the one gay bar in town in the 1930s and '40s and calls it "middle class at best."
Side B: Joe talks about social clubs (all men's clubs) and how gay society functioned within these clubs. He also talked about sports and gay women at the time.