Interviews - I See My Light Shining

Interviews

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Oral history interviews are firsthand testimonies of people’s experiences of history. These interviews invite narrators (interviewees) to talk about their own histories, giving unparalleled insights into life decisions, actions, and experiences that may not already be part of the public record.

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    Gina Anderson

    Retired train conductor, activist, and member of Las Buenas Amigas

    Philadelphia, PA

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Gina Anderson

    From a challenging childhood influenced by loss and abuse to a vibrant life filled with activism and acceptance, Anderson reflects on navigating her sexuality, embracing her cultural heritage, and finding love in her sixties.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Philadelphia, PA

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    Tupili Lea Arellano

    Indigenous elder, queer activist, artist, and longtime social justice advocate

    Tucson, AZ

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Tupili Lea Arellano

    Arellano reflects on her journey from Tucson to the Bay Area, discussing her early activism, sobriety, engagement with Indigenous and queer communities, artistry, gender fluidity, and the life-saving role of LGBTQ+ spaces.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Tucson, AZ

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    Ellery Bakaitis

    Brooklyn-raised graffiti artist advocating for queer communities of color

    Brooklyn, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Ellery Bakaitis

    Bakaitis delves into their journey from Brooklyn graffiti artist to New Orleans drag wrestler, their queer identity, the impact of waterfront graffiti, and navigating life's changes amid familial and societal challenges.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    Brooklyn, NY

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    Nivea Castro

    Social justice attorney, educator, writer, and city council member

    Atlanta, GA

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Nivea Castro

    Castro shares her experiences as a Puerto Rican lesbian in the Bronx, her advocacy as a lawyer for LGBTQ+ rights, and her artistic endeavors in writing and photography while emphasizing the importance of mentorship and community.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Atlanta, GA

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    Billie Cooper

    Black trans activist, veteran, and San Francisco community leader

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Billie Cooper

    Cooper shares her journey as a Black transgender woman, from her childhood in Philadelphia to her activism and advocacy in San Francisco, discussing military service, addiction, HIV, community leadership, and mentorship.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    # Oklahoma

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    Kai Davis

    Fire Department Chief, community director, and queer space preservationist

    New York, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Kai Davis

    Davis delves into the vibrant history and evolution of Cherry Grove, Fire Island, sharing their insights into intergenerational queer support, community, systemic racism, and their personal journey with gender affirmation.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York, NY

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    Julian Dorcelien

    Brooklyn-born, Connecticut-raised owner of a historic guesthouse

    New York, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Julian Dorcelien

    Dorcelien discusses his evolving connection to Fire Island, the Pines, and Cherry Grove, touching on their significance for queer and Black communities and his commitment to maintaining safe spaces for queer people.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York, NY

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    Ruth Eisenberg
    Letitia Gomez

    Attorney and prominent Latina gay rights activist

    Philadelphia, PA

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Ruth Eisenberg
    Letitia Gomez

    Eisenberg and Gomez reflect on their intercultural love story—from their distinct backgrounds in Chicago and San Antonio to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, navigating family acceptance, and building a life together.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Philadelphia, PA

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    Silvana Esparza

    Nationally-acclaimed Mexican chef and queer activist

    Baja Cali, Mexico

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Silvana Esparza

    Esparza shares her story as a Chicana lesbian, including her family history, struggles with acceptance, her journey in the culinary world, connection to her heritage through baking, coming out, and founding Barrio Café.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Baja Cali, Mexico

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    Laura Esquivel

    Chicana lesbian activist and community advocate

    Philadelphia, PA

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Laura Esquivel

    Esquivel shares her journey as a Chicana lesbian activist and mother in Los Angeles, including discussions of gang life, organizing with Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos, co-founding LLEGÓ, her own legacy, as well as her mother's.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Philadelphia, PA

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    Ana Fernandez

    Latina lesbian advocate and medical care director

    Philadelphia, PA

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Ana Fernandez

    Fernandez shares her journey from a childhood marked by a close connection to land in Cuba, to facing repression, to her escape via the Mariel boatlift. She discusses building a new life in the US, her identity, and her family.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Philadelphia, PA

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    Lola Flash

    Photographer, ACT UP activist, and Fire Island chronicler

    New York City, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Lola Flash

    Flash details her journey from Montclair to Manhattan, delving into her childhood, passion for photography, experiences in LGBTQ+ communities, her transformative years in London, activism, relationships, and art practice.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York City, NY

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    StormMiguel Florez

    Transgender trailblazer, musician, and documentary filmmaker

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    StormMiguel Florez

    Florez discusses discovering his queer, trans, and Latino identities, grappling with his relationship with his body and community, BDSM, drag, music, and performance art, while underscoring the importance of growth and respect.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    # Athletics

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    Jewelle Gomez

    Writer and television pioneer

    New York City, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Jewelle Gomez

    Gomez paints a vibrant picture of New York in the '70s and '80s using her experiences, including her first ventures to Riis Beach, navigating queer spaces, building community, and her engagements with theater and philanthropy.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York City, NY

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    Brendalynn Goodall

    Oakland native and LGBTQ+ rights activist

    Oakland, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Brendalynn Goodall

    Goodall discusses her work as a Black lesbian activist and reflects on her family's dynamics, battles for LGBTQ+ and elder rights, personal transformations, and the importance of community engagement, representation, and love.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    Serina Hazelwood

    Indigenous-Chicana writer on decolonization, rights, and sustainability

    Baja Cali, Mexico

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Serina Hazelwood

    Hazelwood shares her love story with her wife Silvana, detailing how their relationship evolved and underscoring how their relationship is a testament to joy, resilience, and the beauty of finding home in another person.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Baja Cali, Mexico

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    Every Ocean Hughes

    Interdisciplinary multimedia artist, writer, and art professor

    Stockholm, SE

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Every Ocean Hughes

    Hughes reflects on the influence of early personal losses, her journey through grief, and the transformative process of changing her name. She also discusses queer spaces and water's thematic presence in her life and work.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    Stockholm, SE

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    Afua Kafi-Akua

    Professor and multimedia artist

    New York City, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Afua Kafi-Akua

    Kafi-Akua discusses her journey from music and media to activism and education, involvement in New York's art and LGBTQ+ communities, connection with Fire Island, and commitment to celebrating diversity through her work.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York City, NY

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    Juba Kalamka

    Trailblazing musician, queer hip hop pioneer, and activist

    Oakland, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Juba Kalamka

    Kalamka offers insight through his experiences as a queer Black man, discussing the challenges and complexities of navigating bisexuality, parenthood, art, and activism while highlighting the importance of community and love.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    Egyptt LaBeija

    Trans rights activist, Godmother of LaBeija, and filmmaker

    New York, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Egyptt LaBeija

    LaBeija discusses her life, including her childhood, surviving on the piers of NYC, familial acceptance, embracing her trans identity, and finding love and stability amidst chaos, forging a path of resilience and self-awareness.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York, NY

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    Iris Melendez

    Co-owner of pioneering LGBTQ+ bar, Sammy's Place

    Philadelphia, PA

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Iris Melendez

    Melendez charts her journey to Philly, navigating life as a queer Puerto Rican woman, mother, and co-owner of Sammy's Place. She reflects on her relationships, community work, parenting, overcoming adversity, and legacy.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Philadelphia, PA

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    Mary Midgett

    Black lesbian activist, veteran, and co-founder of the NIA Collective

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Mary Midgett

    Mary Midgett, a trailblazer in San Francisco's LGBTQ+ community, shares her remarkable path to becoming an esteemed elder. She discusses founding the NIA Collective, writing Black lesbian erotica, and building inclusive spaces.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    # Nightlife

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    Sabelo Narasimhan

    NYC-based photographer and organizer

    New York City, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Sabelo Narasimhan

    Narasimhan shares insights from their experiences as a queer, trans, and South Asian immigrant navigating New York's diverse scenes—recalling cultural shifts, Riis Beach, and reflections on identity, community, and belonging.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York City, NY

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    Esther Newton

    Anthropologist, historian, and author

    New York, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Esther Newton

    Newton discusses her early upbringing in New York City surrounded by communists, her family history, navigating homophobia in the '50s, therapy, her academic journey, and the evolution of queer spaces and identities.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York, NY

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    Trinity Ordona

    Activist, scholar, and foremother of the API lesbian movement

    Seattle, WA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Trinity Ordona

    Ordona discusses growing up in a large Filipino family in San Diego, becoming a figure in the Asian queer community, family acceptance, her activism, healing from sexual violence, and the significance of queer identities.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Seattle, WA

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    Donna Personna

    Activist, drag peformer, artist and trans rights champion

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Donna Personna

    Donna Personna shares her path, from her Texas upbringing to becoming a celebrated drag performer and trans activist in San Francisco. She also discusses family, chosen family, overcoming stage fright, love, and contributing to history.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Lydia Polgreen
    Candace Feit

    Beach lovers and Provincetown enthusiasts

    Brooklyn, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Lydia Polgreen
    Candace Feit

    Polgreen and Feit explore their connection to Provincetown, from their first visit to the impacts of gentrification to their personal reflections on water as a symbol of freedom and restoration in their lives.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    Brooklyn, NY

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    Josephine Quiñones

    Brooklyn-born DJ and Philadelphia community prevention worker

    Philadelphia, PA

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Josephine Quiñones

    Quiñones reflects on moving from Brooklyn to Philadelphia, DJing in the '90s, and embracing her Puerto Rican identity. She discusses the origin of her nickname "Cookie," lesbian Latina parties, and the importance of self-respect.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Philadelphia, PA

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    Mellanique Robicheaux
    Tei Okamoto

    Roomates, healthcare advocates, DJs, and community organizers

    Fire Island, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Mellanique Robicheaux
    Tei Okamoto

    Robicheaux and Okamoto share tales of building a vibrant underground queer community in San Francisco, navigating love and loss, overcoming addiction, creating party spaces, and the evolution of their identities over decades.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    Fire Island, NY

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    Sheree Ross

    Financial wealth literacy coach, author, and screenwriter

    New York City, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Sheree Ross

    Journeying from Ohio to New York, Ross' story reflects on experiences in the LGBTQ+ club scene, the importance of community spaces, financial literacy work, creative pursuits, and personally significant queer spaces.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York City, NY

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    # Safety

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    Bamby Salcedo

    Trans rights icon and founder of TransLatina Coalition

    Los Angeles, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Bamby Salcedo

    Salcedo narrates her life as a trans woman, reflecting on her childhood in Mexico, migration to the US, incarceration, and assault. She discusses her recovery, activism, leadership, and foundation of the TransLatina Coalition.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Jah Sayers

    PhD candidate, researcher, Riis Beach historian

    New York, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Jah Sayers

    Sayers shares their path to Riis Beach and environmental psychology, discussing the importance of physical spaces for queer communities, challenges in academia, evolving language on gender, and envisioning a future for Riis Beach.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York, NY

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    Chino Scott-Chung

    Trans rights advocate, veteran, and community builder

    Oakland, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Chino Scott-Chung

    Scott-Chung shares his experiences as a trans Chinese-Mexican man, discussing his identity's evolution, facing transphobia, coming out as a lesbian in the military, navigating masculinity and parenthood, activism, and grief.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    Adela Vázquez

    Trans rights activist, drag performer, and mentor

    San Francisco, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Adela Vázquez

    Vázquez shares her journey from Cuba to San Francisco as a queer immigrant, overcoming institutionalized homophobia, becoming Miss Gay Latina in 1992, transitioning, her activism with Las AtreDivas, and her hopes for the future.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Myrna Villalobos
    Nancy Rosado

    Orlando, FL

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Myrna Villalobos
    Nancy Rosado

    Villalobos and Rosado share their unique love story, weaving through careers in the NYPD and US Army, coming to terms with their identities, navigating challenging spaces, and finding resilience through their relationship.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Orlando, FL

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    Harry Waters

    Actor, educator, and advocate for Black theater

    Minneapolis MN

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Harry Waters

    Waters shares his life story—growing up as a Black Lutheran in Denver, his experiences in New York before AIDS, his family and career transitions, activism, navigating his sexual identity, and his impact on theater and community.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    Minneapolis MN

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    Fresh "Lev" White

    Compassion activist, diversity trainer, drag king, and trans advocate

    Berkeley, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Fresh "Lev" White

    White reflects on life as a trans man, mindfulness, and striving for love and compassion. He shares insights on racism, chosen family, and self-love, as well as his roles in LGBTQ+ and POC communities and visions for the future.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Berkeley, CA

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    ‘We’re supposed to be united.’
    Ayo Maat
    curtain