W0051_Transcript |
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Object Description
Interview no. | W-0051 |
Restrictions | In-library use only. Access through the Southern Historical Collection. |
Project | W.2. LGBTQ Life in the South: Sweet Tea Interviews by E. Patrick Johnson |
Project description | Interviews, 2003-2006, conducted by E. Patrick Johnson with black gay men from the South including men from many Southern states regarding their experience of growing up gay in the South with particular focus on such topics as the influence of the church in upbringing, coming out experiences, gay vernacular, college and career in the South, gay life in small towns, segregation, gay social life, and whether the South is hospitable to gays. These interviews form the basis for Johnson's book, “Sweet Tea: Black Gay men of the South,” published in 2008 by University of North Carolina Press. |
Date | 10 May 2005 |
Interviewee | Greg. |
Interviewee occupation | Academics |
Interviewee DOB | 1956 |
Interviewee ethnicity | African Americans |
Interviewer | Johnson, E. Patrick, 1967- |
Abstract | Greg was born in 1956 in New Orleans, La. Greg considers himself a gay man who is a transvestite and enjoys cross-dressing and dressing in drag. He has in fact won many small pageants and performs under the stage name Mademoiselle Grégoire. Greg discusses why he loves being a drag queen and how it makes him feel good about himself. Greg grew up in a blended household with three siblings and his mother and grandmother raising all four children. Greg states that he had a wonderful childhood and that his family was very close and loving and have always accepted him for who he is. Growing up, Greg lived in the Third Ward in New Orleans. He states that New Orleans was indeed segregated and remembers the colored and Negro signs and having to sit in the balcony of the movie theater. Greg was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school, both of which he loved and played formative roles in his life. During his time at church he was one of the original members of the Gospel Soul Children of New Orleans and to this day enjoys singing gospel music. Greg believes that there is more homophobia than ever before and believes that the North, West Coast, and Midwest are much more accepting of homosexuality. At the same time Greg believes that the gay community in New Orleans is very vibrant and close-knit and that it can only get better to be a gay black man in the South. This interview is part of the E. Patrick Johnson collection and was conducted for Johnson's book, “Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South.” |
Citation | Interview with Greg by E. Patrick Johnson, 10 May 2005 W-0051, in the Southern Oral History Program Collection #4007, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. |
Description
Interview no. | W0051_Transcript |