African Americans, Childhood and youth, Feminism, African American lesbians, Civil rights
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw46_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw46_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw46_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw46_B.wav
Contact LHA at dyv.lha@gmail.com Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
African American lesbians, Adultery, Lesbians--Sexual behavior
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw54_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw54_A.wav
Mabel Hampton Interview [New Jersey / Singing]
African American lesbians, Popular music, Rape, Childhood and youth, Adultery
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw49_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw49_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw49_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw49_B.wav
Mabel Hampton Interview [Married Women / Singing]
Lesbian community, Fashion, Popular music, African American lesbians
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".
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw53_A.mp3
Mabel Hampton Interview [Stories of Performing / Singing]
African American lesbians--Identity, Popular music, Lesbian couples
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
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw56_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw56_A.wav
Rural youth, Gay rights, Race, African American lesbians
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1135_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1135_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1135_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1135_B.wav
Mabel Hampton Interview [Marriage / Jealousy]
Same-sex marriage, Lesbian couples, African American lesbians
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1137_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1137_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1137_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1137_B.wav
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1139_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1139_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1139_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1139_B.wav
Oral History interview of Mabel Hampton. Mabel discusses her early life in South Carolina and New York.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1140_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1140_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1140_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1140_B.wav
Tape 1 of a 4 Tape Series, followed by SPW1141
Child abuse, Rape, Marriage, Prostitution
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
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1141_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1141_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1141_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1141_B.wav
Mabel Hampton Interview [The Twenties and Life With Lillian]
African American lesbians, Lesbian couples, Lesbian community
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw62_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw62_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw62_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw62_B.wav
Mabel Hampton Interview [Coney Island / Mildred]
African American lesbians--Identity, African American lesbians
Oral history interview of Mabel Hampton. Side A: Mabel discusses Coney Island, and her relationships with women, including Mildred Mitchell.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw48_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw48_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw48_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw48_B.wav
Mabel Hampton's Story, July, 1986 (Tape 3)
Arrest (Police methods), Prisons, Race discrimination, African Americans, African American lesbians, Lesbianism, Race
Mabel describes her 1923 arrest (at age 18) and term at Bedford Hills Prison, and the period shortly thereafter.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1142_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1142_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1142_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1142_B.wav
Mabel Hampton's Story, July, 1986 (Tape 4)
African American lesbians, Prisons, Race discrimination, Rape, Families, Work
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).
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1143_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1143_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1143_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1143_B.wav
Lesbian culture [sh2004003370] Greenwich Village (New York, N.Y.)--Maps [sh2009125702] Same-sex marriage [sh92003901] Lesbians--Identity [sh94004083] Race [sh85110232] African American lesbians [sh85001859]
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.
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1145_A.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1145_A.wav
Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1145_B.mp3 Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1145_B.wav
Mabel Hampton Interview [1920s / World War II]
African American lesbians [sh85001859] Lesbian culture [sh2004003370] Prisons [sh85106996] Prisoners--Recreation [sh85106961] World War, 1939-1945 [sh85148273]
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 (Interviewee), Madeline (Interviewee)
Side A (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1146_A.mp3 Side B (mp3) http://herstory.prattsils.org/mp3_files/spw1146_B.mp3 Side A (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1146_A.wav Side B (wav) http://herstory.prattsils.org/wav_files/spw1146_B.wav
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.
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, 665 Projects in Digital Archives Students
See the LHA Copyright Statement Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
This recording is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Pat on 1978-06-06.
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.
See the LHA Copyright Statement
This recording is 2 of 2 tapes recorded with Joan on 1978-09-11.
Lesbian community--New York (State)--New York, Lesbian bars, Lesbians--United States--Identity, Lesbians--United States--Interviews
Discussion centers on bars in Buffalo in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, in particular Bingo
Tape 1 of a 2 tape series. Followed by SPW480.
Lesbian community--New York (State)--New York, Lesbians--United States--Identity, Lesbians--United States--Interviews, Oral history interview; Families; relationships; Abusive Relationships; Working; Gangs; Jail
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.
Tape 2 of a 2 tape series. Preceeded by SPW479.
Prostitution, Identity, Lesbian community--New York (State)--New York, Lesbian bars, Lesbians--United States--Identity, Lesbians--United States--Interviews,Oral history interview
Talks about dating a prostitute, lesbian prostitutes, lesbians and butches having sex with men, lesbian pregnancy, clothing styles,
Lesbian Bars, Lesbian and Gay Experience, Lesbian Community--New York (State)--New York, Lesbian Herstory Archives, Lesbianism, Lesbians Abuse of, Lesbians--United States--History, Lesbians--United States--Identity, Lesbians--United States--Interviews, Oral history interview, Lesbian couples, Lesbian physical education teachers, Lesbian teenagers
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.
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.
Edited by Morgan Gwenwald, Manuela Soares, Sara Yaeger
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, LIS 668 Moving Image and Sound Archiving students. Edited by Lauren Allshouse, Kim Loconto, Rachel Smiley, and Sara White.
Preservation: .avi; Access: .mp4 [Digital Format]
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.
Lois Johnson and Sheri Barden Interview, April 1, 1989
Journalists, Music, bars, Relationships, Anger, Humor, Housing, Animals
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.
edited by Morgan Gwenwald, Manuela Soares, Sara Yaeger
Digital: Preservation: .avi Access: .mp4
Edythe D. Eyde aka Lisa Ben Interview, October 25, 1988
Lesbians, Coming Out, Music, Bars, Lesbian Publishing, Literature
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.
All Rights Reserved by the Lesbian Herstory Archives and the DOB Video Project creators Morgan Gwenwald & 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.
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 3)
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 4)
books, Contracts: Books, Distributors, Publications, Publishers, Presses
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.
Original: VHS tape Preservation: .avi Access: .mp4
Pat Helin and Barbara Deming Interview, May 10, 1987
AIDS, Bars, Coming out, Consciousness Raising, Consciousness Raising Groups, Homophile Movement, Gay Men, Rural Lesbians, Small Towns, Unions, Politics: Republican, Marriage, Feminism, Mothers
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.
Carole Morton Interview, October 21, 1988
Carole Morton discusses her discovery of Daughters of Bilitis and her activism on behalf of lesbian mothers.
LHA Spoken Word Audio Cassette Collection, SPW174 - SPW175
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.
edited by Morgan Gwenwald, Manuela Soares, Sara Yager
LHA Spoken Word Audio Cassette Collection, SPW184
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 Spoken Word Audio Cassette Collection, SPW187 - SPW190
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.
LHA Spoken Word Audio Cassette Collection, SPW169 - SPW173
Preservation: Grier_Barbara_tape1of4_1987nov27_access.mp4. Access: Martin_Lyon_tape1of4_1987may09.avi [Digital Format]
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.
LHA Spoken Word Audio Cassette Collection, SPW195 - SPW196
Preservation: Cordova_Jean_tape1of1_1988oct27.avi Access: Cordova_Jean_tape1of1_1988oct27_access.mp4. [digital format]
Barbara Gittings and Kay Tobin Interview, 1988
(Tape 1) Lesbians, Books, Bias Incidents, Activism, Butch and Femme, Police Harassment, Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights
(Tape 2) Communities, Organizing, History, Homophile movement, FBI harassment, Conferences, The Ladder
(Tape 3) Organizing, Conferences, Feminists, Homophobia, Gay Civil Rights, Publications, Exhibits
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.
Manuela Soares [interviewer]; Barbara Gittings & Kay Tobin [interviewees]
edited by Morgan Gwenwald [still photographer], Manuela Soares, Sara Yaeger [videographer]
DV-37 DV37_Barbara Gittings & Kay Tobin_tape2of3_1988feb20
DV-38 DV38_Barbara Gittings & Kay Tobin_tape3of3_1988feb20
Education, Gay Civil Rights, Support Groups, Communities, Law, Lawyers, Prostitution, Separatism, Women's Liberation Movement, Activism, Political Movements and Community Struggles,
Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, Billye Talmadge, Nikki Nichols, Barbara Gittings, and Shirley Willer speak about their experiences with the Daughters of Bilitis organization.
Manuela Soares [interviewer]; Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, Billye Talmadge, Nikki Nichols, and Barbara Gittings [interviewees]
Morgan Greenwald [Still Photographer], Sara Yager [videographer]
Dances, organizing, Lesbians of Color, Witches, Education, Social Life, Prostitution, Gay Civil RIghts, Stonewall
Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, Billye Talmadge, Nikki Nichols, and Barbara Gittings speak about their experiences with the Daughters of Bilitis organization.
Judith Schwarz and Joan Nestle Interview, November 14, 1992
Lesbian Studies, Bars, Mailing Lists, Abortion
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.
Manuela Soares [interviewer]; Judith Schwarz & Joan Nestle [interviewees]
LHA Spoken Word Audio Cassette Collection, SPW182
Digital: Preservation: .avi; Access: .mp4
DV25_Joan Nestle & JudithSchwarz_tape1of2_pulledquotes_1992nov14
Women's Political Organizations, Women's Liberation Movement
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.
Manuela Soares [interviewer]; Pamela Oline [interviewee]
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, LIS 668 Moving Image and Sound Archiving students. Edited by Morgan Gwenwald [still photographer], Manuela Soares, Sara Yaeger [videographer].
Physical: MV-39, Digital: oline_tape1of1
Lesbian bars, Gay bars, Lesbian community--New York (State)--New York, Lesbian bars, Lesbians--United States--Identity, Lesbians--United States--Interviews, Lesbian community--United States--History, Oral history interview, Bartenders--New York (State)--New York--Biography, Lesbian Herstory Archives
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.
Lesbian identity Radio Second wave feminism
Taped radio program for the lesbian community.
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.
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: 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.
Women from ACT UP LA and some gay men who worked with them, attending the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups Meetings in Washington, D.C.
This is a tape of women from ACT UP LA (lesbian and heterosexual) and some gay men who worked with them, attending the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups Meetings in Washington, D.C. from November 3-November 5, 1992. It has footage of them in their hotel rooms , as well as footage of researcher meetings, the activists discussing what they have heard and the action they did at the Democratic Party Election Night Shindig, where they took over the stage with a banner that read "NO MATTER WHO IS PRESIDENT, AIDS IS STILL A CRISIS" as Jesse Jackson was finishing his speech after the results showed that Clinton was elected. There is also footage of them planning their strategy for getting on stage of of them waiting for the perfect moment and celebrating afterwards. There is footage of them on the mall in the evening just having fun. There is also footage of them watching Bush concede (in their hotel room watching TV), of them finding out that Mary's boss is one of 50 people invited to attend a meeting with Clinton's staff re: AIDS on the following Saturday and of them preparing material for her, along with Iris Long (ACT UP NY) and Vic Hernandez (ACT UP NY). Most of the footage was taken either by Mary Lucey (an HIV-infected lesbian who was in ACT UP LA, on the ACT UP National Women's Committee, and later co-founded Women Alive in LA), Nancy McNiel (Mary's lover also in ACT UP LA, the National Women's Committee and co-founder of Women Alive), and Seh Welsch (a Native-American Lesbian who founded Santa Barbara ACT UP, was on the National Women's Committee and is the E.D. of the Indian Health Center in Santa Barbara). Also in the video are Vic Hernandez (a Mexican-American from the S.F. area but a member of ACT UP NY at the time) and Kyioshi Kurimyia (an Asian-American who was a member of ACT UP Philadelphia, and founded Critical Path, a newsletter about AIDS treatments, especially alternative and wholistic treatments), both of whom are gay men. Iris Long, a heterosexual woman who was an early member of ACT UP NY, a founder of its Treatment and Data Committee, one of the first pseople to document the exclusion of women from clinical trials, is also shown in the video. She is a pharmaceutical chemist (Ph.D.) who taught the men in ACT UP everything they knew about pharmaceutical chemistry and clinical treatment research.
Mary Lucey, Seh Welsch, and Nancy Mc Niel; Donated by Maxine Wolfe in 1993
Processed by Pratt School of Information LIS-668 students, Fall 2015
Maxine Wolfe Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
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 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.
Lesbians--United States--Social conditions
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.
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.
David Guggenheim Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Exhibition Image for "Women's Power Roles in Reawakened Roe V. Wade"
https://unsplash.com/photos/TzVN0xQhWaQ?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink
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.
Morgan Gwenwald, Manuela Soares, Sara Yager
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.
WNYC-TV Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
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 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 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: 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: 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 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 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.
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: 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.
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.
Rights belong to the New York Preservation Archive Project, site Liz H. Strong & Anthony Belove To request a copy of this oral history, please contact info@nypap.org
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.
Ruth Berman, Connie Kurtz Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
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"
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science, LIS 665 Projects in Digital Archives students
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.
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.
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.
Feminist Radio Network Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Red Tape, Feminist Radio Network affliliate
Not to be used for publication without the express written consent of Liza Cowan. Contact the Lesbian Herstory Archive for Liza Cowan’s contact information. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Lesbian community--New York (State)--New York, Lesbians--United States--Identity, Lesbians--United States--Interviews, Oral history interview; Families
Discusses growing up in Buffalo, when she realized she was first gay at a young age, and going to clubs
Homophobia Lesbians Lesbian community Sexual orientation
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.
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.
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.
Ruth Scovill Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Memorial Service for Diane Cleaver (Part 2)
Relationships, Friendship, Families, Aging, Death and Dying, Communities, Biographies, Writing, Songs
Friends and family gather at the funeral of Diane Cleaver to share stories, reminisce, and pay homage to her.
Morgan Greenwald [Still Photographer]; Manuela Soares
Breaking the law, Family, Gay bars, Hustlers (Prostitutes), Lesbian bars, Lesbian high school students, Lesbian teenagers, Lesbians--Italian American, Lesbians--New York (State)--Buffalo--History--20th century, Pittsburgh (Pa.), Secrets--Family
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.
Tape 1 of a 3 tape series. Followed by SPW527 and SPW528..