Third World Lesbian Writers Conference featuring Audre Lorde, Yvonne Flowers, and Robin Christian, 1979
Feminism, African American feminists, Lesbianism, Lesbians, Lesbian community, Lesbians' writings, American, African American lesbians
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1157_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1157_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1157_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1157_B.wav
Contact LHA at dyv.lha@gmail.com Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
March on Washington/Pacifica Program Service, 1979 (Tape 1 of 4)
National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, Washington, D.C., 1979, Gay rights,Civil rights
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).
Robin Tyler, Troy Perry, Adelle Starr, Michiko Cornell
Rene McCoy, Bill Blish, Arly Scott, Maria Diaz, Steve Alt
Side A. (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1158_A.mp3 Side A. (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1158_A.wav
Side B. (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1158_B.mp3 Side B. (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1158_B.wav
Tape 1 of a 4 tape series. Followed by SPW1159, SPW1160 and SPW1161.
"Lesbians and Literature" panel discussion at MLA conference, 1977
Lesbians, Lesbians--Identity, African American lesbians, Racism, Sexism
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."
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1150_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1150_A.wav Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1150_B.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1150_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1150_B.wav
Mary Daly, Judith McDaniel, Adrienne Rich
Conflicts in the Black Lesbian Community, Brooklyn NY, organized by the Committee on the Visibility of the Other Black Woman (Tape 1 of 3)
Lesbians, Minority lesbians, African American lesbians, African American lesbians--Identity, Classism, Ageism
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 Tape 2 as she introduces the panel on identity.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1162_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1162_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1162_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1162_B.wav
Committee for the Visibility of the Other Black Woman
Tape 1 of a 3 tape series. Followed by SPW1163 and SPW1164
Astraea Benefit, "Conversation with Poems," 1981 (Tape 1 of 2)
Poetry, Lesbians' writings, Lesbians, African American lesbians--Identity, Racism, Sexism ,Lesbians--Identity
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.
Tape 1 of a 2 tape series. Followed by SPW1166.
March on Washington / Pacifica Program Service, 1979 (Tape 2 of 4)
Lesbian activists, Lesbian feminism, National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, Washington, D.C., 1979
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1159_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1159_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1159_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1159_B.wav
Tape 2 of a 4 tape series. Preceded by SPW1158. Followed by SPW1160 and SPW1161.
The Personal or the Political - II / Conference on Feminist Theory, 1979
African American feminists, African American lesbians, Lesbian feminism
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1156_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1156_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1156_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1159_B.wav
Astraea Benefit, "Conversation with Poems," 1981 (Tape 2 of 2)
Poetry, Lesbians' writings, Writing, Writers' workshops, Racism, Antisemitism, Southern States--Poetry, Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), Women, African American women, Lesbianism
Benefit for the Astraea Foundation, "Conversation with Poems." Poetry reading and conversation with Audre Lorde and Adrienne Rich; includes speech, poetry, and remarks.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1166_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1166_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1166_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1166_B.wav
Tape 2 of a 2 tape series. Preceded by SPW1165.
"Poetry" radio program on WBAI hosted by Susan Howe, undated
African American women--Poetry, African American lesbians--Identity, Racism--United States, Sexism, Death--Poetry
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."
http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1171_A.mp3 http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1171_A.wav
http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1171_B.mp3 http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1171_B.wav
Modern Language Association Conference in Chicago, 1977
Poetry, Lesbianism, Feminism, Motherhood, Sexual orientation, Sexism, Abortion, Family, Health, Rape, Misogyny, Lesbian feminism,
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).
Joan Larkin, Barbara Smith, Diedre McCalla, Melanie Kaye, Adrienne Rich, Audre Lorde
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1151_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1151_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1151_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1151_B.wav
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)
African American feminists, African American lesbians, Feminism, Lesbian feminism, Lesbianism, Lesbians, Sexism
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
Fourth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1153_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1153_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1153_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1153_B.wav
Berkshire Conference on the History of Women
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1152_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1152_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1152_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1152_B.wav
Tape 1 of 3. Followed by SPW1153 and SPW 1154.
Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center (2nd Tuesday Series), 1986
American poetry--20th century, Poets, Oral interpretation of poetry, Lesbians--United States, Feminists--United States, Social conditions, Criticism and interpretation, Apartheid--South Africa, Gays, Russians, Lesbianism--United States, Apartheid--South Africa, Cold War, African American women
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1170_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1170_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1170_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1170_B.wav
Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center
Lesbian community--New York (State)--New York
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.
Interviewee: Pat, Interviewer: Madeline Davis
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, LIS 665 Projects in Digital Archives Students
See the LHA Copyright Statement Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Lesbianism Lesbian couples -- United States Lesbian bars Lesbian -- relationships Lesbian -- sexual behavior Lesbian --United States --Identity Lesbian -- United States -- World War II Lesbian community -- New York (State) New York Lesbian --Family relationships Lesbian -- Social life and customs Roles --Butch and femme Lesbian -- courtship
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.
Interviewee: Dorothy, Interviewer: Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy
Pratt Institute, School of information and Library Science, students in LIS-665 Projects in Digital Archives
Sound Physical Object Oral History Interview
Coverage=Spatial: Buffalo, NY Coverage=Temporal 1942-1960 Coverage=Temporal: 20th Century
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.
Side 4: Phil continues to discuss the distinctions between friends and lovers. She talks about the various social groups she belonged to over the years, including a group that mostly had husbands and one that was more independent. Phil talks about lesbians having multiple partners, and how the community viewed butches and femmes who did so. Phil talks about lesbians in the Bowling Association, and the social events they put on. She then tells the story of a break-up and meeting a new lover, and the mythology surrounding butches making the first move.
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, LIS 665 Projects in Digital Archives students
See the LHA Copyright Statement
Tape two of a three tape series recorded 1979-11-16 and 1980-1-9. Prior tape is SPW464 and following is SPW466.
Joe offers suggestions for local history sources, research materials, and other interview subjects. He also shares anecdotes of his travels to San Francisco.
Interviewee: Joe, Interviewer: Madeline D. Davis
Tape two of a two tape series recorded 4-18-1979. Prior tape is SPW443.
Lesbians--United States--Social conditions
Lesbians--New York (State)--Buffalo--History--20th century
Lesbians--New York (State)--Buffalo--Social conditions
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.
Tape two of a two tape series recorded in 1978. Preceded by SPW450.
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.
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.
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, LIS 665: Projects in Digital Archives students
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.
Tape two of a two tape series recorded 1982-10-2. Tape 1 is SPW472.
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.
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, students in LIS-665 Projects in Digital Archives
Side A of Tape 3 of three-tape series. Prior tapes in series are SPW474 and SPW475
Lesbian Community--New York (State)--New York
Judy discusses her views of gay men, including her belief that all so-called gay men are in fact bisexual.
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, 665 Projects in Digital Archives Students
Side A: Judy discusses some of the bars she used to frequent, and her changing views of sex. Side B: Judy discusses her past relationships and the ways in which she feels the treatment of women at jobs has changed.
Joan talks about how she went to jail and her experiences while she was held there.
Interviewer: Madeline Davis, Interviewee: Joan L
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.
This recording is 1 of 2 tapes recorded with Mary T. on 1978-07-07.
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 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.
This recording is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Linda on 1978-11-19.
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.
This recording is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Joan on 1978-09-11.
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.
This recording is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Pat G. on 19??-05-21.
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.
Tape one of a two tape series recorded 1981-10-2. Tape 2 is SPW473
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.
This recording is 1 of 2 tapes recorded with Pat G. on 19??-05-21.
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.
This recording is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Paula on 1990-01-18.
Lesbians-- Violence agaist-- United States
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.
This recordings is 3 of 3 tapes recorded with Pat and DJ on 1986-11-11.
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 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.
This recording is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Mary Ann on 1988-10-15.
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.
This recording is 2 of 3 tapes recorded with Pat and DJ on 1986-11-11.
Mary describes the bar scene, parties, fashion, music, bar layouts, and fights at Bingo's and Carousel bars.
This recordings is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Mary T on 1978-07-07.
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.
This recording is 1 of 2 tapes recorded with Paula on 1990-01-18.
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 playâ€ 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,â€ 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.
This recording is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Pat on 1978-06-06.
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.
This recording is 1 of 3 tapes recordings with Pat and DJ on 1986-11-11.
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.
This recording is 1 of 2 tapes recorded with Mary Ann on 1988-10-15.
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.
This recording is 1 of 2 tapes recorded with Joan on 1978-09-11.
Lesbians--Family relationships--New York (State)
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.
This recording is 1 of 2 tapes recorded with Linda on 1978-11-19.
Identity, lesbians--United States--interview
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.
This recording is 1 of 2 tapes recorded with Joe on 1979-04-18.