Browse Items · Lesbian Herstory Archives AudioVisual Collections

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.

Tags Childhood, Children, Conferences, Discrimination, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Literature, Lesbian Writer, Lesbian Youth, Libraries, Literature, Sexism

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.

Tags Bertha Harris, Discrimination, Feminism, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Identity, Lesbian Literature, Lesbian Musician, Lesbian Separatism, Lesbian Writer, Media, Music, Writing

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.

Tags Feminism, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Writer, Literature, Poetry, Writing

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.

Tags Activism, Civil Rights, Discrimination, Lesbian Activists, Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Writer, Organizing, Rita Mae Brown, Social Movements, Violence, Women's Political Movements, Writing

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.

Tags Art, Black Women, Conferences, Lesbian Authors, Lesbians of Color, Media, National Black Feminist Organization, Racism, Sexism

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."

Tags Autobiography, Coming Out, Feminism, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Community, Lesbian Feminism, Lesbian Writer, Poetry, Writing

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.

Tags Barbara Smith, Education, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Literature, Literature

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.

Tags Barbara Smith, Education, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Literature, Literature

Barbara Smith Classroom Discussion (Tape 7)

Recorded classroom discussion focusing on a fictional story about lesbians and the erotic. Continuation of #6. Location uncertain.

Tags Barbara Smith, Education, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Literature, Literature

Barbara Smith Classroom Discussion (Tape 6)

Recorded classroom discussion focusing on a fictional story about lesbians and the erotic. Continuation of #5. Location uncertain.

Tags Barbara Smith, Education, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Literature, Literature

Barbara Smith Classroom Discussion (Tape 5)

Recorded classroom discussion focusing on a fictional story about lesbians and the erotic. Location uncertain.

Tags Barbara Smith, Education, Job Discrimination, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Literature, Literature

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.

Tags Communities, Feminism, Lesbian Authors, Lesbian Feminism, Lesbian Separatism, Passing (Sexuality), Radical Feminism, Radical Lesbians, Religion, Toxic Masculinity

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 Children, Daughters of Bilitis, Discrimination, Interviews, Lesbian Authors, Manuela Soares, Marriage, Mothers, The Ladder