Oral history interview with Dorothy Frassmann conducted by Dennis McBride on September 21, 1997 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. Frassmann discusses her upbringing from New York, Canada, and Las Vegas, Nevada, notably as a lesbian.
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 interview with Cathy Scott conducted by Dennis McBride on December 12, 2006 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Scott discusses reporting about the murder of Roger Jameson, a gay man who was found dead outside of a gay bar in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 25, 1995. Scott describes the scene upon her arrival and her initial reactions to the homicide. She talks about the issue of homophobia in Las Vegas at the time and explains that other newspaper publications would not want to cover this story because this was not seen as a serious issue. Lastly, Scott talks about the double life that Jameson lived and how the public reacted to his story.
Oral history interview with Kerin Scianna Rodgers conducted by Dennis McBride on February 24, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. Rodgers discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada and her background in the arts. She discusses her position as Special Assistant to the Governor and being appointed as a commissioner for the performing arts. Rodgers also discusses opening her bar, Gipsy.
Oral history interview with Ralph Denton conducted by Dennis McBride on June 05, 2007 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Denton discusses Fred Alward, Lieutenant Governor of Nevada in the 1930s, and his political campaign running for Governor in 1938. Denton talks about Alward having to drop out of the race because of the backlash he received for being gay.
Oral history interview with Roy D. Baker conducted by Dennis McBride February 08, 2004 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Baker discusses Fred Schoonmaker, a Reno, Nevada gay activist and his husband, Alfred Parkinson. Baker details their efforts to create Stonewall Park, a town for LGBTQ members in Nevada that was never realized. Schoonmaker attempted to establish Stonewall Park three times in three different locations: Silver Springs, Nevada; Rhyolite, Nevada; and Thunder Mountain, Nevada. Baker talks about his personal relationship with Schoonmaker, his opinion on Stonewall Park, and legal issues that Schoonmaker faced during the development of the town. Baker describes opposition from local residents against Stonewall Park and Schoonmaker's health after being diagnosed with HIV.
Oral history interviews with Rob Schlegel conducted by Dennis McBride on various dates in March and April of 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Schlegel recalls his early life in Port Angeles, Washington, his conservative Baptist upbringing, and his early experiences with literature. Schlegel then discusses working with newspaper publications in high school and college, understanding his sexuality during college, his first gay sexual experience, and his first trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. He recalls working with Robert Lloyd "Bob" Brown at the Valley Times during this visit. Schlegel talks about moving to Las Vegas and working full-time as the production manager for the Valley Times. Schlegel explains becoming active in politics through his newspaper work, meeting notable casino executives, and financial and political controversies the Valley Times experienced in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He then describes coming out as gay, and working at the Nevada Gay Times beginning in 1985. Schlegel also talks about opening and managing the Bright Pink Literature bookstore in 1987 and starting a separate publication Night Beat in 1992. He then recalls co-founding Las Vegas Gay Pride and Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc., conflicts he had within the Las Vegas gay community, and working at the Gipsy nightclub as a secretary. Lastly, Schlegel discusses the repeal of Nevada's sodomy laws, homophobia, and memories of individuals and organizations associated with the Las Vegas gay community.
From the Las Vegas Bugle Photograph Collection on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History (PH-00336). Las Vegas Gay Pride Festival - June 5, 1994.