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Jane Heenan oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02552

Abstract

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.

Archival Collection

Richard Schlegel oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02564

Abstract

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.

Archival Collection

George Smith oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02566

Abstract

Oral history interview with George Smith conducted by Dennis McBride on June 28, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his life as a priest of the Christian Orthodox church and a gay man. He describes his experiences living in an Orthodox monastery, his interactions with the gay community of Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1960s, and other gay priests Smith has known. Smith also details bringing in speakers for talks with his gay congregation to provide information on topics including sexually transmitted diseases and careers. He concludes by discussing his involvement with gay student groups at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

David Parks oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02560

Abstract

Oral history interview with David Parks conducted by Dennis McBride on January 31, 2007 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Parks, a member of the Nevada senate, discusses working on a Nevada anti-bullying bill and a family fairness bill, which stated that any two persons could have another person as a recipient beneficiary. Park describes dealing with opposition to the family fairness bill with some people arguing that it changes the traditional definition of family. Parks recalls running against a man with a similar name, David F. Parks, in a 2002 legislative assembly election.

Archival Collection

Paul Velez oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03396

Abstract

Oral history interview with Paul Velez conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 22, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Paul Velez, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus officer, discusses his experience at the Thomas & Mack Center during the night of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. He shares his goal of creating a safe atmosphere for the survivors and providing them with all of their needs, including helping separated survivors find their loved ones and friends. Velez also describes his move to Las Vegas in 2008 and his time with the New York City police force, talking about his experience as a first responder at Ground Zero during the 9/11 attacks. He discusses the effect these attacks have had on general and campus security measures and on him as an individual.

Archival Collection

Rodney Sumpter oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02567

Abstract

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.

Archival Collection

Claytee D. White oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03904

Abstract

Oral history interview with Claytee D. White conducted by Stefani Evans on November 2, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Claytee D. White, founding directory of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries, celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the OHRC by contributing her oral history to the collection.

She begins by explaining how the system of sharecropping worked in her family near rural Ahoskie, North Carolina, and she talks about the field work involved in raising cotton, tobacco, corn, and peanuts. The fifth of eight children and the first daughter, she shares memories of going into town with her mother, of admiring her women teachers, and of attending North Carolina Central College (now University) for two years before moving to Washington, D.C., and working for the telephone company.

After recalling her two years in D.C. and 22 years in Los Angeles, California, she describes "running away" to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1990s. Here, at the History department at UNLV, she recalls learning to conduct oral histories. White shares memories of her first interviews with Hazel and Jimmy Gay and Lucille Bryant. She talks of matriculating to the College of William and Mary for her PhD and of returning to Bertie County to live with her mother and administer the office of The Shaw University Center for Alternative Programs in Education (CAPE). She describes how she was offered the position of OHRC founding director, why it matters that she was an "opportunity hire," and how it feels to be the only Black person in a room.

Archival Collection

Judy Corbisiero oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02543

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Judy Corbisiero conducted by Dennis McBride on September 05, 2003; and April 21, July 02, and December 10, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Corbisiero recalls her early childhood in New York City, New York, coming out in the late 1970s, and meeting her then-partner, Janice Summers. She describes forming Summercor, Incorporated (a portmanteau of their last names) with Summers to produce women musicians, with a focus on lesbian artists, while living in New York. Corbisiero also talks about musicians she worked with, running political fundraisers during music events, and meeting her next partner, Gudrun Fonfa. She then explains moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with Fonfa in 1983 to promote women's music and culture in Las Vegas and throughout the West Coast.

Archival Collection

D. D. Cotton oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00278

Abstract

Oral history interview with D. D. (Ethel Dolores) Cotton conducted by Claytee White on February 14, 1997 and March 21, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Cotton discusses the beginnings of her dance career in New York City, New York. Later in the interview, Cotton discusses working in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Cotton Club and her interactions with other African American entertainers. Cotton also discusses race relations and her experiences as an African American dancer in Las Vegas. Cotton later goes on to discuss her career change in the service industry.

Archival Collection

Rick May oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01232

Abstract

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.

Archival Collection