Oral history interview with Rodney Sumpter conducted by Dennis McBride on January 20, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Sumpter discusses Fred Schoonmaker, a Reno, Nevada gay activist, and his efforts to create Stonewall Park, a town for LGBTQ members in Nevada that was never realized. Sumpter describes his professional relationship with Schoonmaker as his attorney. He also recalls the early stages for Stonewall Park, including finding a location and struggling to find financial and local support for the town. Lastly, Sumpter talks about Schoonmaker's HIV health issues and his personal thoughts on the LGBTQ community.
Oral history interviews with Lee Plotkin conducted by Dennis McBride on August 02, 10, and 16; and October 04, 2006 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Plotkin talks about his reaction to Lieutenant Governor of Nevada Myron E. Leavitt's claim that attending the Nevada Gay Rodeo violated Nevada's sodomy laws in the early 1980s. Plotkin recalls his childhood, coming out during high school, his early involvement with the Las Vegas, Nevada gay community, and his memories of Lieutenant Governor Leavitt and Leavitt's family. Plotkin also discusses the development and activities of LGBTQ organizations and demonstrations, including Golden Rainbow and Gay Pride. Lastly, he talks about the repeal of Nevada's sodomy laws in 1993, the defeat of Nevada Citizens' Alliance's anti-gay initiative petition Minority Status and Child Protection Act of 1994, and the growth of the Las Vegas LGBTQ community.
Oral history interviews with Virginia James conducted by Claytee D. White on various dates in October and November 2004, and March and July 2005 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the interview, James describes her experiences as a dancer with the Texas Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino, and with the Jayne Mansfield Show and Folies Bergère at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls her early life in Texas, learning how to dance, and applying to be a dancer at the Sands in 1957. James details the audition process, her first impressions of Las Vegas upon arriving, and memories of her performances. Other subjects James covers include her marriages, her children, and other occupations she held later in life.
Oral history interview with Leah Chan Grinvald conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on January 22, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Grinvald discusses growing up with a large Chinese family on her father's side, and an Orthodox Jewish family on her mother's side. Grinvald talks about family, identity, traditions, and schooling. She discusses how she became interested in law, her legal career, and volunteer work with the affinity Bars in Nevada, the State Bar of Nevada Board of Bar Governors, and the Association of American Law Schools Deans Council Executive Committee. She also talks about meeting her Israeli husband, marrying him in Israel, and living there for a year.