Dennis McBride interviews Eddie Anderson (born 1946) about his role in advocating for LGBT rights, specifically his participation in the various political and social movements during previous decades. The interview begins with a discussion of Anderson’s background, including his experiences growing up in children’s homes and living with his grandparents. Anderson mentions marching with his grandparents for both workers’ and women’s rights as some of his first political involvements. Anderson also discusses his original aspirations for becoming a priest as well as his memories of meeting President John F. Kennedy during a visit to his high school when Anderson was student body president. Anderson then discusses travelling to the South, specifically in Selma, Alabama, during one summer while in high school in order to help register Black voters. Anderson then discusses his friendship with Nevada Senator Bill Raggio and his wife, and his joining of the U.S. Navy, where he met President Ri
From the Las Vegas Bugle Photograph Collection on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History (PH-00336). Unidentified event evidently sponsored by the Imperial Royal Court of the Desert Empire Inc., c. 1998 [known in 1998 as the Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of the Desert Empire, Inc.]. See paper inside envelope for ID's. Xeroxed insert in envelope with identification out of order: "Unidentified event, evidently sponsored by the Imperial Royal Court of the Desert Empire, Inc., c. 1998 [known in 1998 as the Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of the Desert Empire, Inc.]. In the red gown: Baroness I DeShannon; in the dress uniform: Baron I Mark. Identification of those posed with the Baron and Baroness: nos. 0-1) Ken Tomoroy; nos. 5-6) Dr. Jerry Cade; nos. 7-8) Antioco Carrillo of the Community Counseling Center, and Youth Director at teh [the] Gay and Lesbian Community Center; nos. 9-10) Sue Ann Melfi; nos. 11-12) Rev. [Reverend] David Gillentine of the Metroplitan Community Church; no. 15) Vincent Frey; nos. 16-18) Jack Novick, owner of the Spotlight Lounge [19 images (duplicates; with negatives)]."
In the years following this interview, Kerr continued entertaining, although he never returned to the Las Vegas Strip. Kerr performed at OUTfest Phoenix, at Palm Springs’ Awesome August celebrations, Las Vegas’ National Coming Out Day event, and for the Gay and Lesbian Community Center’s Youth Service’s Division. Kerr also gave shows at small bars and restaurants such as Café Nicolle and DeStefano’s in Las Vegas, the Wilde Goose in Cathedral City, California, and the Plush Room in San Francisco. There were rumors that Kerr was set to replace emcee Joey Arias in Cirque du Soliel [2004] and Frank Marino in La Cage [2005], but neither turned out to be true. Instead, Kerr performed in such local gay nightclubs as Flex, Sasha’s, Krave, Suede, and, on July 31, 2012, at the Onyx Theatre in Commercial Center. In 2006, Kerr made peace with his former rival, Frank Marino. Kerr’s son, Kristin Vidal, made Kenny a grandfather with his own son, Alexander. It was clear during his July 2012 performan