Oral history interview with Pat Feaster conducted by Claytee D. White on July 1, 1996 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Feaster relates how her mother made the decision to leave Fordyce, Arkansas for better economic opportunity and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942. She describes travelling across the country, living in a one-room structure in the Westside of Las Vegas, and attending the Westside School. She discusses her mother's employment at the Red Rooster Restaurant and then at the Algiers Hotel. She talks at length about her own educational journey after leaving school at fifteen, then returning for her GED and later, a college degree after the birth of her fifth child. She discusses how the decision to improve her education helped her develop a twenty-six year career at the Clark County Health District. She also discusses the Fordyce Club and many important personalities in Las Vegas' Black community.
In this interview, Jon Sparer discusses his involvement as the architect of Congregation Ner Tamid's synagogue in Green Valley. He explains details of the building including the concrete tilt-up form, glass windows and the incorporation of quotes throughout the building. Sparer also discusses his involvement with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) as a board member.
According to architect Jon Sparer, when he moved to Las Vegas in the early 1980s, the art of the deal was still based on a "handshake." It was just after the infamous MGM fire and Jon went to work for Rissman and Rissman. He later worked for Marnell Corrao Associates until 2001, and then as a principal in his own firm. He is now retired. While honing his design skills with the exciting transformation of the Strip into a world-class destination, Jon also became an active contributor to the Las Vegas community. Among his most notable experiences was being on the search committee for a new location for the fast growing Congregation Ner Tamid and then the architectural design for the synagogue's location in Henderson. It was a unique experience and Jon tells how he approached each aspect of the religious facility and how it would provide a memorable setting for life experiences. Jon has been involved with Jewish Family Services and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In addition, Jon along with his husband John Klai have been instrumental in the LGBTQ community and the opening of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada [The Center]. In this interview, he also talks about the significance of The Center/ and its success in working with the Clark County Health District, as well as providing a user-friendly experience for all who visit The Center and the Bronze Cafe located there.
Frankie Perez (1986- ) is an individual that constantly found himself navigating two worlds, whether it was military versus civilian; female versus male; or being Latinx in the United States. As a result of this navigation, Perez has a unique perspective on our ever more complicated world that not many individuals possess. Perez served in the military during the Do Not Ask, Do Not Tell policy which made it difficult for someone dealing with gender identity, to seek out the proper support they need. Despite the policy, and other policies that were put in place afterwards to inhibit the transgender community in the military, Perez began his transition while still serving his country. In direct contradiction of popular opinion, Perez discovered that the military easily accommodated his transition. Outside of the military Perez is an active voice in the LGBTQ community. As a member of the LGBTQ, Latinx, and military community, Perez has a unique perspective that he uses to fight for both LGBTQ and Latinx rights. Currently, Perez is finishing his degree in gender and sexuality studies at UNLV. He hopes to use his education to help people have the difficult discussions and improve conditions for his communities.
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: Equality Won! Day was a celebration of the successful passage of transgender-inclusive legislation at the Nevada State Legislature during the 2011 session. … Aizley's wife, Sari, served as the first Director of the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union [see the Nevada Gay Times, April 1984, p. 4 for establishment of the ACLU-Southern Nevada Chapter; and see the Bohemian Bugle, March 1986, p. 13 and the Bohemian Bugle, April 1986, pp. 1, 4, 11, and 18 for Sari Aizley's appointment as Director]. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: Paul Aizley [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 41 (Democrat)]
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: Equality Won! Day was a celebration of the successful passage of transgender-inclusive legislation at the Nevada State Legislature during the 2011 session. … Aizley's wife, Sari, served as the first Director of the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union [see the Nevada Gay Times, April 1984, p. 4 for establishment of the ACLU-Southern Nevada Chapter; and see the Bohemian Bugle, March 1986, p. 13 and the Bohemian Bugle, April 1986, pp. 1, 4, 11, and 18 for Sari Aizley's appointment as Director]. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: Paul Aizley [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 41 (Democrat)]
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: Equality Won! Day was a celebration of the successful passage of transgender-inclusive legislation at the Nevada State Legislature during the 2011 session. … Aizley's wife, Sari, served as the first Director of the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union [see the Nevada Gay Times, April 1984, p. 4 for establishment of the ACLU-Southern Nevada Chapter; and see the Bohemian Bugle, March 1986, p. 13 and the Bohemian Bugle, April 1986, pp. 1, 4, 11, and 18 for Sari Aizley's appointment as Director]. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: Paul Aizley [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 41 (Democrat)]
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: Equality Won! Day was a celebration of the successful passage of transgender-inclusive legislation at the Nevada State Legislature during the 2011 session. … Sari Aizley served as the first Director of the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union [see the Nevada Gay Times, April 1984, p. 4 for establishment of the ACLU-Southern Nevada Chapter; and see the Bohemian Bugle, March 1986, p. 13 and the Bohemian Bugle, April 1986, pp. 1, 4, 11, and 18 for Sari Aizley's appointment as Director]. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: Sari Aizley; Paul Aizley [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 41 (Democrat)]
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: Equality Won! Day was a celebration of the successful passage of transgender-inclusive legislation at the Nevada State Legislature during the 2011 session. ... Sari Aizley served as the first Director of the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union [see the Nevada Gay Times, April 1984, p. 4 for establishment of the ACLU-Southern Nevada Chapter; and see the Bohemian Bugle, March 1986, p. 13 and the Bohemian Bugle, April 1986, pp. 1, 4, 11, and 18 for Sari Aizley's appointment as Director]. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: Sari Aizley; Paul Aizley [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 41 (Democrat)]