Oral history interviews with Jane Heenan conducted by Dennis McBride on June 21 and 28, and August 30, 2005 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Heenan begins by clarifying the vocabulary used within the transgender and queer communities for self-identification, comparing these terms with terms used in the medical and psychological fields. They then discusses the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation. Next, Heenan recalls growing up and in Chicago, Illinois, coming out in the 1990s, and undergoing sex reassignment surgery. Lastly, they talk about arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994, the Las Vegas transgender support and advocacy community, and Las Vegas transgender organizations.
Oral history interview with Andy Hafen conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on August 22, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hafen discusses his upbringing in Henderson, Nevada. He recalls being elected to the City Council in 1987, the expansion of Henderson, and the development of the Water Street District. Hafen then talks about redevelopment of historic areas and the increase in businesses in Henderson. Later, Hafen discusses Lake Las Vegas, the drought and its effect on Lake Mead, and the challenges in developing Lake Las Vegas. Lastly, Hafen explains the how Nevada State College (NSC) has become the necessary link between the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Oral history interview with Charlotte Ellsworth conducted by Jane Ellsworth Olive on March 22, 1977, December 26, 1980, December 28, 1981, and August 06, 1987 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the span of four interviews, Ellsworth discusses her family’s history, the growth of Henderson, Nevada, working at the Basic Magnesium Plant, and life during World War II. She also talks about war bond drives, the Oakey Theaters, Nevada Chamber of Commerce, "western" clothes, and hotels like the Flamingo Hotel and the Riviera Hotel. She then describes visiting places like Canada, Salt Lake City, Utah, Washington, D. C., and San Francisco, California.
Oral history interview with Rick May conducted by Dennis McBride on December 29, 2001 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. May begins by discussing his upbringing in Texas, what it was like growing up knowing he was gay while living in a conservative area, and the moment he accepted his sexuality. May describes some of his early sexual experiences with other men and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, so that he could contribute to the gay community. May details attending and organizing gay pride events in Las Vegas, participating in the gay community, and starting his own gay-friendly business, named "R & R Sorted Sundries." May also discusses his work as a nurse.
Oral history interviews with Jerry Cade conducted by Dennis McBride on various dates in February, May, June, July, and November of 2003 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Cade recalls his early life in Kermit, Texas, his education, his Methodist upbringing, and understanding his sexuality during high school and college. He then talks about traveling to Spain in January 1976 where he met his first romantic partner. Cade then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 to work at the Community Health Centers of Southern Nevada. He also discusses other relationships he had since moving to Las Vegas, his political activism, working on the first American Medical Association panel to study AIDS in 1983, and his first AIDS patient in August 29, 1985. Cade then elaborates on the history of AIDS in Las Vegas, AIDS support and advocacy groups in Las Vegas, the public perception of AIDS and the gay community, and the repeal of Nevada's sodomy law.
Oral history interview with J. D. Smith conducted by Albert Hewitt on October 31, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Smith begins by discussing his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1927 after buying an office for his dental practice. He describes life in Las Vegas at the time, how the city has expanded and changed, and his career as a dentist. Smith also talks about his time as president of the Nevada State Board of Education. He concludes by elaborating on other aspects of Las Vegas history, such as the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, the Helldorado Parades, and nuclear weapons testing.
Oral history interviews with Stella Champo Iaconis conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on July 22, 1981 and July 23, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Iaconis discusses her personal history and family background. Iaconis also recalls moving from Sparks, Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada and provides a recollection of the city. Iaconis then discusses Block 16 and the increase of women working in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Richard Ham conducted by Dennis McBride on January 18, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Ham discusses the assault of Nevada Supreme Court Justice Frank McNamee in 1965. Ham describes being accused by McNamee of being a communist, McNamee's sexuality, and how McNamee was able to succeed politically despite being a gay man. He continues, discussing the history of the trial following McNamee's assault, and also describes other aspects of Nevada's political history during that time. Ham concludes by discussing being gay and some of his sexual experiences with men.
Oral history interview with Richard Schlegel conducted by Dennis McBride on June 03, 2006 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Schlegel discusses his involvement with Equal Rights Nevada (ERN) and the petition to amend the Nevada Constitution that prevented same-sex marriages in the early 2000s. He talks about the approach that ERN took to campaign against the petition and the role that the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage had at the time. Schlegel then describes the Marriage Protection Pledge, his experiences managing a campaign supporting marriage rights for gay couples, and explains how the outcome of the petition affected the Las Vegas, Nevada gay community.
Oral history interview with Jessica Guiao conducted by Grecia Lopez on November 22, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Guiao recalls her childhood in Hayward, California, and being raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls not liking the climate of Nevada at first, and describes the friends she has made throughout her time in the city and the identity she has developed. Guiao discusses some of the pressures and stereotypes surrounding Asian Americans, such as what career path they should pursue or the aversion to embracing subcultures, and how she has consolidated her rebellion into her own identity. Throughout the interview, Guiao touches on other topics such as Filipino food, the long-standing history between Mexican and Filipino communities, Catholicism, goth culture, and anti-Asian hate and racism that she and her family has faced.