Lesbian Herstory Archives AudioVisual Collections

Pat and DJ, November 11, 1986 (Tape 3)

Item

459.jpg

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.

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

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 November 4, 2024, http://herstories.prattinfoschool.nyc/omeka/items/show/17.