W0058_Transcript |
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Object Description
Interview no. | W-0058 |
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 November 2004 |
Interviewee | Kenneth. |
Interviewee occupation | Gay rights activists |
Interviewee DOB | 1962 |
Interviewee ethnicity | African Americans |
Interviewer | Johnson, E. Patrick, 1967- |
Abstract | Kenneth grew up in a small town outside of Baltimore, Md. called Reisterstown. Kenneth currently lives in Atlanta, Ga. and is on the Board of Directors for Atlanta Pride. He states that Reisterstown was so small that it was not necessarily segregated, though there was a street that was populated by predominantly black families. This also extended into the public schools that he attended, which had more white students than blacks, reflecting the population. Kenneth grew up in a stable household with both parents who had moved from Alabama for better opportunities. He attended the black church in town but was never particularly close to church until later in life. During his childhood he notes that he was effeminate and got along more with girls, but certainly noticed his attraction to boys. Kenneth came out to his parents right before the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation in 1993 because he did want his parents finding him on television and being confused at their son's presence at the march. There is discussion on the various terms used to describe gay men in the black gay community, including the difference between trade and DL. Finally, Kenneth mentions that he believes the comparisons between the Civil Rights Movement and the Gay Rights Movement are warranted, as both groups are minorities that have experienced prejudice and violence at the hands of the majority. 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 Kenneth by E. Patrick Johnson, 10 November 2004 W-0058, in the Southern Oral History Program Collection #4007, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. |
Description
Interview no. | W0058_Transcript |