Milwaukee LGBT History Project, Inc. Oral history interviews, 2003.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Milwaukee LGBT History Project, Inc.

Oral history interviews, 2003.

UWM Manuscript Collection 200

.6 cubic ft. (2 boxes)

ABSTRACT: Collection consists of oral history interviews conducted by the Milwaukee LGBT History Project with members of Milwaukee's LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. The collection includes cassette tapes and interview transcripts. Interviewees describe their coming out experiences, the gay liberation movement in Milwaukee, early LGBT organizations, the impact of feminism on LGBT politics, and LGBT social activities.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

The Archives did not receive a signed release from Si Smits. He retains copyright to his interview.

SCOPE AND CONTENT: Interviewees describe their coming out experiences, the development of the gay liberation movement in Milwaukee, early LGBT organizations, the role of feminism in local politics, and LGBT social activities.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: Formed in 2002, the Milwaukee LGBT History Project, Inc. is a volunteer organization committed to documenting the story of the metropolitan area's LGBT community. The Project's documentation efforts proceed on several fronts. Its assists the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee Archives in the identification and acquisition of Milwaukee LGBT-related archival records and personal papers, conducts oral history interviews with individuals in the community, and publishes the results of its own historical research on the Web and in the local LGBT media.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Milwaukee LGBT History Project, Inc. Oral history interviews, 2003. UWM Manuscript Collection 200. University Manuscript Collection. Archives. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: The Milwaukee LGBT History Project donated this collection in August 2003 (accession number 2003-012). Ron Geiman donated photographs in January 2004 (accession number 2003-056).

PROCESSING: Karen Bjork processed the collection at the Archives in September 2003. Photographs were added to the collection in January 2004.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Bisexuals--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Coming out (Sexual orientation).
Cook, Susan K.
Fitzpatrick, Shirley.
Gay communities--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Gay liberation movement--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Gay men--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Gays--Social conditions--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Lesbians--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Oral history--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Smits, Si.
Snider, Karen, A.
Transsexuals--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 200
INTERVIEWEES	BOX	FOLDER
Cook, Susan, Interview, 2003. Topics include the following: family history; coming out experiences; Milwaukee lesbian community and organizations in the 1980s; Milwaukee Lesbian/Gay Pride Committee and the beginnings of pride celebrations [Audio cassettes 1-2]	2	-
Cook, Susan, Transcript, 2003	1	1
Fitzpatrick, Shirley, Interview, 2003. Topics include the following: softball leagues, and the development of Milwaukee's LGBT community in the 1970s and 1980s [Audio cassette 1]	2	-
Fitzpatrick, Shirley, Transcript, 2003	1	2
Geiman, Ron, Photographs, 1970-2001, undated	1	3
Geiman, Ron, Interview, 2003. Topics include the following: family history; military service during Vietnam War; coming out experiences; Milwaukee gay bar culture in the 1970s; editorship of InStep, 1984-1996; AIDS [Audio cassettes 1-3]	2	-
Geiman, Ron, Transcript, 2003	1	4
Smits, Si, Interview, 2003. Topics include the following: involvement with Gay Peoples Union; Milwaukee leather community; development of Milwaukee's LGBT community generally [Audio cassettes 1-2]	2	-
Smits, Si, Transcript, 2003	1	5
Snider, Karen, Interview, 2003. Topics include the following: coming out experiences; Milwaukee lesbian community, including Amazon Collective and Feminist Writers Guild; activities as an author; feminism and lesbianism; issues of classism and racism in the Milwaukee LGBT community [Audio cassettes 1-2]	2	-
Snider, Karen, Transcript, 2003	1	6