Pat and DJ, November 11, 1986 (Tape 3)
Item
Title
Pat and DJ, November 11, 1986 (Tape 3)
Subject
Butch and femme identity
Lesbian couples
Lesbians--Conduct of life
Lesbian and gay experience
Lesbians--Abuse of
Lesbians-- Violence agaist-- United States
Description
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.
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.
Creator
Liz Lapovsky
Madeline Davis
Pat
DJ
Date
Lesbian Herstory Archives
Date Created
1986-11-11
Contributor
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, 665 Projects in Digital Archives Students
Is Format Of
tape cassette "SPW459 Pat and DJ"
Extent
Side A: 14:55
Side B: 32:04
Side B: 32:04
Medium
mpeg
wav
Language
eng
Type
Sound
Oral History Interview
Identifier
SPW# 459
Rights Holder
Lesbian Herstory Archives, Contact Designation: Maxine Wolfe, Contact Address: 484 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215, Phone Number: 718-768-3953
Citation
Liz Lapovsky et al., “Pat and DJ, November 11, 1986 (Tape 3),” Lesbian Herstory Archives AudioVisual Collections, accessed April 20, 2024, http://herstories.prattinfoschool.nyc/omeka/items/show/17.