W0063_Transcript |
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Object Description
Interview no. | W-0063 |
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 | 28 October 2004 |
Interviewee | Michael. |
Interviewee occupation | Government employees |
Interviewee DOB | 1968 |
Interviewee ethnicity | African Americans |
Interviewer | Johnson, E. Patrick, 1967- |
Abstract | Michael was born in Raleigh, N.C. in 1968 to a middle class black family. His parents are Muslim and his grandmother is Christian, but he states that there was never any controversy between the two and that he was allowed to choose which religion to follow. He chose Christianity and currently attends a Baptist church. Michael attended a magnet school, meaning he was grouped together with other “intelligent” kids. He discusses how he has “always been a sissy boy” and was always proper, had a flair for knack and grammar, and was not necessarily interested in the same things as other boys. However, he did not realize he was gay until his senior year of college when he met the first guy that he really “clicked” with. Before that he had girlfriends and was in fact engaged twice. Michael does not support theories that people are born gay, claiming that he chose to date men even though it would be just as easy for him to be with a woman. He came out to most of his family and had a gay uncle that paved the way. Finally, there is a discussion of the gay scene in the south and how one can tell that someone else is gay. 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 Michael by E. Patrick Johnson, 28 October 2004 W-0063, in the Southern Oral History Program Collection #4007, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. |
Description
Interview no. | W0063_Transcript |