Interview with James A. Gay III conducted by Joyce M. Wright in 1973. Edited by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick, and transcribed for the project "Black Experience in Southern Nevada, Donated Tapes Collection," James R. Dickinson Library, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, December 1978. Arriving in 1946 from Fordyce, Arkansas, Gay became the first African-American mortician in Las Vegas. He later worked as Assistant Manager of the Sands Hotel and Casino and Union Plaza while serving as an executive board member of the Culinary Union. Instrumental in the Las Vegas community, Gay worked to improved race relations, addressing social, economic, and civic issues. Gay was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1988.
The Sunset League Pennant Dinner Drive was being hosted at the Ramona Room in the Hotel Last Frontier. Depicted in the photograph, photographed with their number; (1) George Marshall, (2 and 3) Mr and Mrs. Jimmmy Bilbary, (4 and 5) Mr and Mrs. Mike Gordon, (6) Roberta Gordon, (7) Herb Waldman, (8 and 9) Mr. and Mrs. Mort Saiger, (10 and 11) Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Tritle, (12) Nelson Conway, (13 and 14) Mr and Mrs. Mahlon Brown, (15) Wayne Kirch, (16 and 17) Dr. and Mrs. Clare Woodbury, (18) Jim Moss, Dickerson, (23) Sheriff Glen Jones, and (24) Kermit Moe. Written on the back of the photograph, "Winner to eat steak, loser beans, between the Wrangles of LV and the Mexicali team, Wranglers won."
From the Dennis McBride Photograph Collection (PH-00263) -- LGBTQ+ events and organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada -- Digital images file. Notes from the donor, Dennis McBride: In recognition of Gay Pride Week the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority changed the bulbs outlining the Welcome to Las Vegas sign from yellow to rainbow-colored. For a detailed description of this event, see Dennis McBride journal entry for September 8, 2013. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: Heidi Swank [Nevada State Assemblywoman, District 16, Democrat]; Nelson Araujo [representative from U. S. Senator-NV Harry Reid's office, Democrat (gay)]; David Parks [Nevada State Senator, District 7, Democrat (gay)]; unidentified Asian man; Larry Edwards [African American female impersonator]; unidentified man; unidentified man; unidentified man
From the Dennis McBride Photograph Collection (PH-00263) -- LGBTQ+ events and organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada -- Digital images file. Notes from the donor, Dennis McBride: In recognition of Gay Pride Week the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority changed the bulbs outlining the Welcome to Las Vegas sign from yellow to rainbow-colored. For a detailed description of this event, see Dennis McBride journal entry for September 8, 2013. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: Heidi Swank [Nevada State Assemblywoman, District 16, Democrat]; David Parks [Nevada State Senator, District 7, Democrat (gay)]; unidentified Asian man; Larry Edwards [African American female impersonator]; unidentified man; Nelson Araujo [representative from U. S. Senator-NV Harry Reid's office; Democrat (gay)]; unidentified man
From the Dennis McBride Photograph Collection (PH-00263) -- LGBTQ+ events and organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada -- Digital images file. Notes from the donor, Dennis McBride: In recognition of Gay Pride Week the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority changed the bulbs outlining the Welcome to Las Vegas sign from yellow to rainbow-colored. For a detailed description of this event, see Dennis McBride journal entry for September 8, 2013. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: James Healey [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 35, Democrat (gay)]; Heidi Swank [Nevada State Assemblywoman, District 16, Democrat]; Nelson Araujo [Democrat (gay); representative from the Office of U. S. Senator-NV Harry Reid]; unidentified man; unidentified man; Larry Edwards [African American female impersonator]; unidentified man