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Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest Oral Histories
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Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest Oral Histories

  • Mss 2988-SR
  • Collection
  • 2000 - 2013

The Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN) was established in Portland, Oregon, by Tom Cook in the early 1990s. Since then the organization has collected archival materials and oral histories from organizations and individuals active in lesbian and gay issues in the Portland area and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Many of these oral histories were gathered by Portland State University students, from the late 90s to present.

Oral history interview with Khalil T. Edwards

This oral history interview with Khalil Edwards was conducted by Natasha Lipai and Stephen Quirke at the offices of Basic Rights Oregon in Portland, Oregon, on February 27, 2013, for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest. The interview was conducted as part of a senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University with instructor Pat Young. A transcript of the interview is available.

In this interview, Edwards discusses his involvement with the Portland Black Chapter of PFLAG, talks about its origins, and describes the intersection of racism and homophobia that Black LGBTQ youth face. He also talks about his parents' social justice activism. He discusses his involvement with Basic Rights Oregon, including his work on the Our Families video project and as a Racial Justice Fellow. He speaks about some of the goals of Basic Rights Oregon, including marriage equality and trans-inclusive health care, and talks about issues that the organization may focus on after achieving its current goals. He also speaks about racial inequity in the U.S. justice system. He discusses his career as a high school English teacher in San Bernardino, California, and shares his reasons for returning to Portland and focusing on racial justice and LGBTQ advocacy work. He closes the interview by talking about his love for Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.

Edwards, Khalil T. (Khalil Tamir), 1978-

Oral history interview with Renee LaChance, by Brontë Olson and Nicole Estey

This is interview of Renee LaChance was conducted by Brontё Olson and Nicole Estey for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest as part of their senior capstone at Portland State University. LaChance worked with the queer newspaper The Cascade Voice, first selling advertising and writing and later as the editor for a period of time before founding Just Out newspaper with Jay Brown in 1983. The interview covers her involvement in the Gay Pride Festival, AIDS and ACT-UP, and Ballot Measures 9 and 13, as well as her experiences with running Just Out, her decision to sell, and her feelings about the path of the paper after its purchase by Marty Davis in 1998. It finishes with words of wisdom offered by LaChance for both the gay community and the general public on life and changing the future.

LaChance, Renee

Oral history interview with John E. Baker

This oral history interview with John E. Baker was conducted by Jeffrey Ohren and Jim Donohue on May 7, 2012, for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest. The interview was conducted as part of a senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University, with instructor Pat Young. A transcript of the interview is available.

In this interview, Baker discusses his history of political and gay rights activism, particularly his involvement with Right to Privacy, a lesbian and gay political action organization that was headquartered in Portland, Oregon. He talks about ballot measures against gay rights in Oregon, discusses his involvement with the Portland drag performance community, and shares his thoughts about marriage equality.

Baker, John E., approximately 1945-

Oral history interview with April D. Lewis

This oral history interview with April D. Lewis was conducted by Tyler Brewington and Heaven Hartford on May 1, 2012, for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest. The interview was conducted as part of a senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University, with instructor Pat Young. A transcript of the interview is available.

In this interview, Lewis briefly discusses her family background, early life in Portland, Oregon, and her early career. She talks about her relationship with Carol D. French, about her experience of coming out as a lesbian to her family, and about how social attitudes towards LGBT people changed. She discusses lesbian and gay bars in Portland, talks about recovering from alcoholism, and speaks about people she knew who were affected by the AIDS epidemic. She also speaks about raising children with her partner and talks about marriage equality. The interviewers close the interview by discussing their senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University, with instructor Pat Young.

Lewis, April D., 1952-

Oral history interview with Patty Wolff, by David McCormack and Carla Moller

Patty Wolff relates stories and anecdotes about the life of Wolff's partner of many years, Maxine L'Ecuyer, and about the lives of lesbians during the first half of the 20th century. Wolff's partner, Maxine L'Ecuyer (b. 1923), was a French-Canadian, left by her parents to be raised in a Catholic orphanage in Kansas. After moving to California on her own at age 14, L'Ecuyer worked as a movie projectionist for the Marines during WWII, after which she joined a Catholic convent, believing her sexuality to be an abomination. Denied the right to take her final vows, L'Ecuyer attended graduate school at the University of Washington, and was briefly institutionalized (as a result of her sexuality being revealed and compromising her professional career as a professor). L'Ecuyer retired to Portland in her late 50s, at which time she at last found a means of realizing her same-sex attractions to other women. L'Ecuyer met Patty Wolff circa 1992, at a rally on Pioneer Square in opposition of Ballot Measure 9.

Wolff, Patty

Oral history interview with Ellen Goldberg

This oral history interview with Ellen Goldberg was conducted by Annica Eagle and Spencer Trueax on February 24, 2011. Eagle and Trueax conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest as part of Professor Pat Young's senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University.

In this interview, Goldberg discusses her involvement in the founding of the Mountain Moving Cafe, a collective-run coffeehouse, in Portland, Oregon; talks about how she and other people in the collective ran it as an "anti-profit" business; and speaks about events held at the cafe. She discusses the cafe's association with gay and women's groups and talks about life in the collective. She speaks about her activities since leaving the collective, particularly her involvement in gay and women's rights activism. She closes the interview by talking about the poem that inspired the cafe's name, "The Day the Mountains Move" by Yosano Akiko.

Goldberg, Ellen, 1949-

Oral history interview with Lee Coleman

This oral history interview with Lee Coleman was conducted by Katrina Griffiths and Joshua Fackrell on February 17, 2011. Griffiths and Fackrell conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest as part of Professor Pat Young's senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University.

In this interview, Coleman discusses his involvement with the Log Cabin Republicans in California and Oregon. He discusses the political fight against Measure 9, an Oregon ballot measure against LGBTQ rights, in 1992. He also talks about the state of the Republican Party at the time of the interview in 2011. He discusses the reasons he became a Democrat in 2004; talks about recent gay rights legislation in Oregon; and speculates about the future of gay rights. He closes the interview by encouraging his interviewers to become more politically active.

Coleman, Lee, 1931-

Oral history interview with Larry S. Copeland

This oral history interview with Larry S. Copeland was conducted by Emily Bowen and Kenty Truong on February 17, 2011. Bowen and Truong conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest as part of Professor Pat Young's senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University.

In this interview, Copeland discusses his early life in Redmond and Portland, Oregon. He talks about his social life as a gay man in the mid-20th century, particularly the role of Portland gay bars. He speaks at length about his involvement with the Portland Town Council. He also discusses his 1982 campaign for the Portland City Council. He speaks about the progression of gay rights in the United States; talks about his experience during the AIDS epidemic; and speaks about the various jobs he worked. The interview closes with discussion about the senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University.

Copeland, Larry S. (Larry Steven), 1947-2017

Oral history interview with Steve Suss

This oral history interview with Steve Suss was conducted by Danita Doun and Lachelle Ogden on February 15, 2011, as part of their Capstone course at Portland State University, under instructor Pat Young. Doun and Ogden conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest, which collects the histories of organizations and individuals active in lesbian and gay issues in the Portland area and throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the audio, the collection includes a transcript of the interview and photographs of Suss.

In the interview, Suss discusses his ownership of Embers, a gay bar in Portland, Oregon. He also talks about serving on the board for Esther's Pantry, which provides food and clothing for people with AIDS. He discusses his stance on marriage equality; talks about owning a bar and steam bath in Seattle, Washington, but leaving due to city government corruption; and talks about his reasons for relocating to Portland and some of his early business ventures. He discusses the early years of owning Embers, beginning in 1971, including his attempt to expand its original location, and moving to the location on Broadway in 1981. He also talks about his relationship with his partner and his family. He closes the interview by talking about a lawsuit against the Oregon Liquor Control Commission that he was involved in.

Suss, Steve (Stephen C.), 1939-2020

Oral history interview with Steve Suss [Sound Recording 01]

Session 1. This oral history interview with Steve Suss was conducted by Danita Doun and Lachelle Ogden on February 15, 2011, as part of their Capstone course at Portland State University, under instructor Pat Young. Doun and Ogden conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest, which collects the histories of organizations and individuals active in lesbian and gay issues in the Portland area and throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the audio, the collection includes a transcript of the interview and photographs of Suss. In the interview, Suss discusses his ownership of Embers, a gay bar in Portland, Oregon. He also talks about serving on the board for Esther's Pantry, which provides food and clothing for people with AIDS. He discusses his stance on marriage equality; talks about owning a bar and steam bath in Seattle, Washington, but leaving due to city government corruption; and talks about his reasons for relocating to Portland and some of his early business ventures. He discusses the early years of owning Embers, beginning in 1971, including his attempt to expand its original location, and moving to the location on Broadway in 1981. He also talks about his relationship with his partner and his family. He closes the interview by talking about a lawsuit against the Oregon Liquor Control Commission that he was involved in.

Suss, Steve (Stephen C.), 1939-2020

Oral history interview with Steve Suss [Transcript]

Transcript. This oral history interview with Steve Suss was conducted by Danita Doun and Lachelle Ogden on February 15, 2011, as part of their Capstone course at Portland State University, under instructor Pat Young. Doun and Ogden conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest, which collects the histories of organizations and individuals active in lesbian and gay issues in the Portland area and throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the audio, the collection includes a transcript of the interview and photographs of Suss. In the interview, Suss discusses his ownership of Embers, a gay bar in Portland, Oregon. He also talks about serving on the board for Esther's Pantry, which provides food and clothing for people with AIDS. He discusses his stance on marriage equality; talks about owning a bar and steam bath in Seattle, Washington, but leaving due to city government corruption; and talks about his reasons for relocating to Portland and some of his early business ventures. He discusses the early years of owning Embers, beginning in 1971, including his attempt to expand its original location, and moving to the location on Broadway in 1981. He also talks about his relationship with his partner and his family. He closes the interview by talking about a lawsuit against the Oregon Liquor Control Commission that he was involved in.

Suss, Steve (Stephen C.), 1939-2020

Oral history interview with Chris Mazzuca

This oral history interview with Chris Mazzuca was conducted by Sarah Tolle and Andrew Clark on February 10, 2011. Tolle and Clark conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest as part of Professor Pat Young's senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University.

In this interview, Mazzuca describes her experiences as a softball player in the late 1950s and early 1960s. She focuses on her time playing with the Erv Lind Florists in Portland, Oregon. She discusses her sexual identity and how that informed her social life while on the team. She talks about how the sport of softball has changed, about her induction into the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in 2007, and about her experiences as a woman in sports in the mid-20th century. She also describes her role as a pitcher. She closes the interview by talking about her relationship with the aunt who raised her.

Mazzuca, Chris (Louise Christine), 1939-2018

Oral history interview with Sally H. Cohn

This oral history interview with Sally H. Cohn was conducted by Jade Davis and Erin Babcock Musick at Cohn's home in Portland, Oregon, on February 8, 2011. Davis and Musick conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest as part of Professor Pat Young's senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University.

In this interview, Cohn talks about teaching herself to hand whistle. She discusses her preference for short hair and talks about lesbian stereotypes. She talks about her involvement in gay and lesbian rights organizations, including the Lesbian Community Project and Old Lesbians Organizing for Change. She also shares the experience of coming out to her family in the 1970s. She talks about her volunteer work; about the fight against Measure 9, an initiative against LGBTQ rights, in 1992; and about her work for an alcohol and drug treatment center in Portland, which is now known as the Avel Gordly Healing Center. She closes the interview by talking about writing her book, "A Handwhistler: Memories of Creativity and Activism," and speaking about her 2010 appearance as a handwhistler on "America's Got Talent."

Cohn, Sally H. (Sally Helen), 1934-

Oral history interview with Patricia A. Cach

This oral history interview with Patricia A. Cach was conducted by Aaron Powell and Dorothy Zapf on February 4, 2011. Powell and Zapf conducted the interview for the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest as part of Professor Pat Young's senior capstone class on LGBTQ history at Portland State University.

In this interview, Cach describes her experiences as a fan of the Erv Lind Florists, a softball team in Portland, Oregon. She talks about Erv Lind and his support for the team; about the players, particularly Chris Mazzuca; and about the 1962 Women's Softball Tournament. She also speaks about coaching another Portland softball team, the Lavender Menace 2. She shares her experiences as a lesbian in the mid-20th century and talks about her opinion on marriage. She talks about playing in an all-lesbian jug band, about her interest in art, and about why her interest in softball waned. She discusses her spirituality and her identity as a lesbian. She closes the interview by talking about her relationship with her brother.

Cach, Patricia A., 1939-

Oral history interview with Ed Segel, by Pablo Guzman and Greg Nicosia

Segel, a history professor at Reed College, discusses his knowledge of some of the local Portland non-profit organizations including Basic Rights Oregon (BRO), Love Makes A Family, Right to Pride, and Portland Town Council. Segel also discusses his experience of the AIDS epidemic, and his seeing a therapist during the early 1970s in order to come to terms with his homosexuality.

Segel, Edward B.

Oral history interview with Maria Council, by Gary Knapp and A. Krummenacker

Maria Council is co-founder/President of Peacock After Dark. Council discusses her introduction to drag; her drag influences including "drag mother" Patty O'Dora and Lady Elaine Peacock; her reputation as Northwest's First Lesbian Drag Queen and subsequently as the first biologically female Empress of the Rose Court; her experiences in workplaces that required different levels of closeting and self-censorship; and her involvement with the local Portland church community.

Council, Maria

Oral history interview with Roey Thorpe, by Roxanne Michelle Holtman

Thorpe discusses her tenure as Director of Basic Rights Oregon (2001-2006) and her subsequent role on staff at Planned Parenthood in Portland. Thorpe also discusses her youth in Columbia, SC, her coming-out process during the early 1980s, and the significant positions she has held in organizations dedicated to LGBT rights, non-profit community childcare, and at Empire State Pride Agenda (NY).

Thorpe, Rochella, 1962-

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