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Hazel Gay oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00662

Abstract

Oral history interview with Hazel Gay conducted by Claytee D. White on December 02, 1995 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Gay discusses her husband being the first African-American mortician in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as being the assistant manager at the Sands Hotel and Casino and an executive at the Union Plaza. Gay also discusses running dress shops and working as a display artist and retail clerk in other shops.

Archival Collection

James A. "Jimmy" Gay oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00665

Abstract

Oral history interview with James A. Gay III (Jimmy Gay) conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 12, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gay discusses becoming the first African-American mortician in Las Vegas, Nevada and his work improving race relations, social, economic, and civic issues.

Archival Collection

James A. "Jimmy" Gay III oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00664

Abstract

Oral history interview with James A. (Jimmy Gay) Gay III conducted by Joyce M. Wright in 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Gay recalls details about his education in Arkansas and his training in mortuary science in Chicago, Illinois and discusses the nine-year delay in obtaining his license to practice as a mortician in Nevada because of racial discrimination. He recounts his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1946, his experiences as a recreation director and as a personnel and communications director for the hotel industry, work that he took while waiting for his licensure to practice. He also talks about his career as a mortician with Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas, the atomic testing of the 1950s and 1960s, and his long involvement with the NAACP and the Freedom Fund. He closes by reciting two poems that have inspired him and express his philosophy.

Archival Collection

Wendy Butler oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02538

Abstract

Oral history interview with Wendy Butler conducted by Dennis McBride on May 23, 2007 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Butler discusses her involvement with the magazine Lesbian Voice in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls that other gay magazine publications at the time would not include women’s issues or representation. Butler describes the development of her publication by reaching out to a diverse group of gay people in Las Vegas, and addressing issues surrounding gay people. Lastly, Butler discusses how she advertised her magazine and branching out to find support outside of the gay community.

Archival Collection

Deborah Cameron oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02541

Abstract

Oral history interview with Deborah Cameron conducted by Dennis McBride on August 17, 2006 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Cameron discusses the lesbian community in Las Vegas, Nevada, the organization Women of Nevada (WUN), and founding the organization, L Club. She describes other lesbian organizations and clubs that she was a member of and explains why gay clubs were important in forming supportive communities. Lastly, Cameron talks about the disbandment of the L Club.

Archival Collection

Gudrun Fonfa oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02549

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Gudrun Fonfa conducted by Dennis McBride on June 15, 2008 and June 22, 2008 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Fonfa discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 and describes the lesbian community at the time. She talks about the founding of organizations to support the rights of the gay community. Fonfa discusses her contributions to Nevadans for Human Rights (NHR) and the development of the gay community. Lastly, Fonfa describes Women United of Nevada (WUN) and the organization's decision to change their mission statement.

Archival Collection

Kelly McFarlane-Smith oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02558

Abstract

Oral history interview with Kelly McFarlane-Smith conducted by Dennis McBride on October 07, 2008 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her involvement with the magazine Lesbian Voice in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about the purpose behind creating Lesbian Voice, how it was managed, and merging with the magazine Las Vegas Bugle. Smith then discusses the other gay magazines and organizations that she was involved with in Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Kendall Stagg oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01754

Abstract

Kendall Stagg oral history interview conducted by Dennis McBride on January 11, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In the interview, Stagg discusses his early life in Utah, his religious upbringing, coming out as gay, and his involvement with the gay community in Reno, Nevada. He also talks about running for Nevada State Assembly District 32 in 2000 as one of Nevada's youngest openly gay politicians. Lastly, Stagg recalls his time as president of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Union in University of Nevada, Reno and co-founding Reno’s first Gay Pride parades in 1999.

Archival Collection

Jan Jones oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00970

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jan Jones conducted by Dennis McBride on March 26, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Jones discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 and describes the car dealership commercials she was involved in with Kenny Kerr in the 1980s. Jones recalls the No Hate rallies that were organized in Nevada to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. She then talks about the backlash she received as Mayor of Las Vegas because of her support for the gay community.

Archival Collection

Sally MacEachern oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-01174

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Sally MacEachern conducted by Dennis McBride on February 24 and March 11, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. MacEachern opens her interview discussing her birth and upbringing with her twin sister in Wisconsin during the 1940s. She then describes her family history, her life as a twin, and what it was like to be part of a military family. MacEachern then talks about her first lesbian sexual encounters and meeting other lesbians for the first time. She discusses joining the military and efforts within the organization to remove lesbians from the service that eventually lead to her termination. MacEachern then recalls going to college in the 1960s, meeting other lesbians, and moving in with her first girlfriend. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada for graduate school, joining the gay community, and frequenting local gay businesses including Maxine's and Camp David. She then discusses the lesbian separatists movement, the different struggles gay men face compared to lesbian women, and the local community response to the AIDS crisis.

Archival Collection