Skip to main content

Guide to the UWEC Gay and Lesbian Oral History Project,​ 2013-​2014

Last updated

Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702 – 4004
(715) 836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE UHC351

Accession Number: 15-008

Collection Number: University Historical Collection 351

Creators: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Title: The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Gay and Lesbian Oral History Project, 2013-2014

Dates: 1983-2014

Quantity: 0.8 linear feet (2 archives box)

Location of Collection: A10/1h

Languages: Collection materials are in English

Summary: An oral history collection concerning the LGBT student organizations on the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire campus. The collection includes news releases, newspaper articles, artifacts, biographies and promotional material related to the LGBT history on campus.

Biographical / Historical Note

UW-Eau Claire alumni were interviewed and provided information on a variety of topics regarding LGBT culture on the UW- Eau Claire campus from 1984-2014. Faculty and staff offer administrative insight. The student organization changed names multiples times over the years. The Spectrum Collection (AS579) also provided background information.

Content Description

The majority of the collection consists of oral histories from alumni, faculty, and staff conducted by Melissa Schultz from November 2013 to January 2014. Topics include newspaper articles, the Eau Queer Film Festival, student/staff/faculty biographies, newsletters, National Coming Out Day information, questionnaires, university programs, and the Women’s and LGBTQ Resource Center. There are also folders with subject files.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Transferred to the University Archives by Melissa Schultz in July 2014.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public except Box 1, Folder 2 and Box 1, Folder 10 are restricted until the year 2039. Contact Special Collections and Archives for information regarding access.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Preferred Citation: The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Gay and Lesbian Oral History Project, 2013-2014. UHC 351. Special Collections & Archives. McIntyre Library. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Processing Note: Processed by Melissa Schultz in July 2014.

Arrangement: Flat arrangement; Alphabetical Arrangement.

OCLC #: 890478462

Subjects

Personal Names:
Frank, Edward
Goetz, Laura
Hart-Brinson, Dr. Peter
Hellwig, Dr. Beth
Hillis, Daniel
Jirschele, Robb
Johnson, Carla
Jorgenson, Christopher
Knopp, Dr. Sharon
Martin, Crystal
Muenich, Jill
Perkins, Dr. Daniel
Steve
Thiede, Dr. Roger
Udy, Craig
Zmarzly, Joshua

Corporate Names:
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—Students
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—GLO
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—GLOBE
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—LGBT-SA
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—Spectrum
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—Forward Momentum
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—Out Loud
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—PRIDE
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—Societies
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—Women’s and Gender Equity Center (WAGE)
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire—Women’s and LGBTQ Resource Center

Subject Terms:
College students—Wisconsin--Eau Claire
Gay – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Lesbian – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Bisexual – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Transgender – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Student organizations – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
LGBTQ – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
AIDS – Wisconsin – Eau Claire

Detailed List of Contents

Dates: 1992-2014

Extent: 0.8 linear feet (2 archives boxes)

Container

Narrator (interviewee)

Interview Date

Description

Box 1

Folder

File name:

Frank_November2013

Edward Frank (pseudo name)

1986

November 20, 2013

Edward discusses why he came to Eau Claire, living in the dorms, being outed by his roommate, living off campus, meeting people who formed the Gay Lesbian Organization (GLO), UW-Stout’s Gay Lesbian Organization, forming the GLO, student speaker panels, students reaction to the GLO on campus, AIDS, gay vs. lesbian groups, meetings, bars, socializing, and how the student group helped him through college.

Box 1

Folder 2

Edward Frank

Restricted

Box 1

Folder 3

File Name:

Goetz_January2014

Laura Goetz

1995

January 21, 2014

Laura discusses why she came to Eau Claire, her career, her campus experience while living at home, publicity for GLOBE, attending her first meeting, the agendas of meetings, the campus climate towards LGBT students, the dance at the Unitarian Universalist Church, social activities, the number of participants in GLOBE, attending the Viennese Ball, the advisors, how GLOBE shaped her, and other things she participated in on campus.

Box 1

Folder 4

File Name:

Hillis_January2014

Dan Hillis

2002

January 28, 2014

Dan discusses living on campus, participating in LGBTQAS and then choosing not to continue with the group, social activities, awareness on campus after Matthew Shepard’s death, growing up in Eau Claire, the Thomas Hilton incident, going to a party at Dr. Nowlan’s house, advertising for Spectrum, and the clashing of personalities in Spectrum.

Box 1

Folder 5

File Name: Jirschele_January2014

(audio is in 2 parts)

Robb Jirschele

1995

January 13, 2014

Robb discusses why he chose to come to Eau Claire, his career, why he chose to live in Eau Claire after graduating, the climate towards LTBT on Marquette University’s campus, the climate on Eau Claire’s campus, discrimination in the dorms, Matthew Shepard’s death and the impact it had on his life, social activities (Sneakers, Rocky Horror, The Saloon, Gay 90’s, Camaraderie), publicity for GLOBE, the number of students who participated in GLOBE, dating, speaker panels, Diversity Now (after the “gay bashing” attacks), Coming Out Day, the dance at the Unitarian Universalist Church, AIDS, students who participated in GLOBE, the “gay bashing” attacks, the campus climate during the attacks, taking a karate class from Dr. Sharon Knopp, LGBT faculty, the Thomas Hilton incident, and the speakers at the University Speaker Forums.

Box 1

Folder 6

File Name:

Johnson_November2013

Carla Johnson

1985

November 22, 2013

Carla discusses growing up in the Shaw Town area of Eau Claire, why she chose to go to Eau Claire, attending college during the summer, socializing on campus before becoming associated with GLO, the classes she took, finding GLO, attending her first meeting, the climate on the Eau Claire campus, what her impression of the group was, where the meetings were located, social activities with the group (bake sales, Camaraderie, movie nights), discrimination in bars, AIDS, being lesbian in the Navy, meeting her wife, seeing the world, talking to Congress about the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy implemented by President Bill Clinton, getting married, the pins she donated, and prominent gay people in the 1980s.

*Two buttons donated by Carla are in this folder.

Box 1

Folder 7

File Name:

Martin_November2013

Crystal Martin

1988

November 30, 2013

Crystal discusses why she came to Eau Claire, living on campus, her roommates, working during school, becoming good friends with Dr. Lim, social gatherings, the meeting agendas (mainly social), the forming of GLO, AIDS (especially in San Francisco), attending the Viennese Ball, various things she did on campus, the ways GLO was a support group, her current career, and being politically active (Wisconsin politics).

Box 1

Folder 8

File Name:

Muenich_November2013

Jill Muenich

1988

November 30, 2013

Jill discusses why she came to Eau Claire, living off campus, playing sports, forming GLO, the University Speaker Forum, GLO advisors, the issues with the Student Senate, the help received from Jeanne Hugo, and Elliot Garb, hanging out in The Cabin, the speaker panels, her degree, the advisors, publicity for GLO, confronting students that defaced or removed posters, hanging out in Minneapolis and St. Paul, AIDS, anonymity within the group, the scholarship she sponsors, coming back to campus, how the GLO met her needs on and off campus, Wisconsin politics, going to Maggies (a gay bar), and bisexual and transgender identities.

Box 1

Folder 9

File Name:

Steve_December2013

Steve (pseudo name)

1985

December 1, 2013

Steve discusses why he chose to attend Eau Claire, living in the dorms his first two years, and then living off campus, Putnam Park, having international roommates, forming GLO, people that attended the meetings, social activities (Mary Borhek, other speakers, picnics), keeping in contact with friends, attending the Student Senate when GLO formed, AIDS, discussions at meetings, art pieces on campus, Council Oak Tree, and designing the first GLO button (example in Carla’s folder).

Box 1

Folder 10

Steve

Restricted

Box 1

Folder 11

File Name:

Udy_December2013

Craig Udy

1996

December 19, 2013

Craig discusses growing up in Eau Claire, moving to Washington D.C., the influx of GLO/BE members in the 1990’s, speaker panels, being a non-traditional student, the first meeting he went to, their posters being torn down, social events (dances, potlucks), the tight-knit group, the hierarchy of the group, the “gay bashing” attacks, and the impact UW-EC had on his life.

Box 1

Folder 12

File Name:

Zmarzly_January2014

Joshua Zmarzly

2014

January 14, 2014

Josh discusses why he came to Eau Claire, living in the dorms, the different name changes of the LGBT student organization (Spectrum, Forward Momentum, Out Loud, PRIDE), what the student organization does today, housing, coming out of the closet, harassment on campus, being the group president, the Eau Queer Film Festival, Women’s and LGBTQ Resource Center, the Thomas Hilton incident, hearing about the speaker panels second hand, PRIDE’s mission, discrimination in Russia & Africa, what could be done better on campus, Eau Claire’s diversity, and applying to be an RA.

Box 1

Folder 13

File Name:

HartBrinson_January2014

Dr. Peter Hart-Brinson

January 31, 2014

Peter discusses his background before coming to Eau Claire, the Blugold Commitment, marriage equality, the Eau Queer Film Festival, the LGBTQ community in Wisconsin and Iowa, the Fireball, sidewalk chalkings, and different sexualities.

Box 1

Folder 14

File Name:

Hellwig_December2013

Dr. Beth Hellwig

December 17, 2013

Beth discusses her career in higher education, moving to Eau Claire, her various positions as Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the campus climate towards LGBT when she started working at UW-EC, starting WAGE/Women’s & LGBTQ Resource Center, being an ally, Safehaven, the progress the University has made regarding LGBTQ, an Advisory group, Matthew Shepard, the Lavender Ceremony, the religious speakers on campus, housing, administrators, and the Pride Index.

Box 1

Folder 15

File Name:

Housing_January2014

Housing (D.N.)

January 9, 2014

This interview discusses why D.N. came to work for UW-Eau Claire, the role of the Associate Director of Housing & Residence Life, the training needed for this job, the Judicial Board, Resident Assistants, jumpstarting Safe Space, different programs in place to protect students, concerns with LGBT students in housing, how issues are reported and the response to them, issues with separate housing for LGBT, improvements on the campus since 2004, the Thomas Hilton incident, Lavender Graduation Ceremony, the benefit of working with students, and helping students.

Box 2

Folder 1

File Name:

Jorgenson_December2013

Chris Jorgenson

December 17, 2013

Chris discusses where he grew up, attending UW-EC as an undergraduate, moving to California, coming back to Eau Claire and finishing his degree, getting his Master’s degree, Coming Out Day, being the LGBTQ Coordinator, having a position created for him based on the campus’ need, changing the name from WAGE to Women’s and LGBTQ Resource Center, events that the Resource Center hosts, collaborating with other offices on campus, promotional materials for events, the changes towards the LGBTQ community over time, current political trends, The Thomas Hilton incident, struggles that LGBTQ students face on campus, AIDS, funding, peer mentors, and how people can help the LGBTQ community.

Box 2

Folder 2

File Name:

Knopp_December2013

Dr. Sharon Knopp

December 13, 2013

Sharon discusses what cities have impacted her from her youth, how she became an advisor for GLOBE, discrimination towards bisexuals, the ‘gay bashings,’ teaching the students karate, social activities the students did, feminist theory, Friends of Diversity, the hiring of Tess Onwueme, students protesting the letting go of professors, and how the student organization impacted the University.

*There are newspaper articles included in this folder*

*There is a short dvd with a news report*

Box 2

Folder 3

File Name:

Perkins_December2013

(audio is in 3 parts)

Dr. Dan Perkins

December 17, 2013

Dan discusses what brought him to Eau Claire, teaching at Iowa State University, how he got involved with GLO, the issues that the students had when forming their group and how he advised them, seminars he attended, the students spending money, speaker panels, the GLO constitution,

Box 2

Folder 4

File Name:

Thiede_January2014

Dr. Roger Thiede

January 27, 2014

Roger discusses growing up in Janesville, becoming a Geography professor, Russia, what brought him to Eau Claire, retirement, Friends of Diversity (respecting differences), the “gay bashings,” things the student group did, how he attended most of the meetings, and the takeover by Dr. Nowlan when he arrived on campus.

Container

Contents

Dates

Box 2

Folder 5

Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Articles

1992

Box 2

Folder 6

Eau Queer Film Festival/all movie festivals pertaining to LGBTQA

2004-2014

Box 2

Folder 7

Faculty/Staff/Students Exemplary Work

2001-2013

Box 2

Folder 8

Miscellaneous Newsletters

2002-2013

Box 2

Folder 9

National Coming Out Day/Break the Silence

2009-2011

Box 2

Folder 10

Questionnaires

2014

Box 2

Folder 11

Speakers

2004-2013

Box 2

Folder 12

Student group information

2014

Box 2

Folder 13

Thomas Hilton Incident/Response

2010

Box 2

Folder 14

University Programs/Reports

2002-2014

Box 2

Folder 15

WAGE/Women’s & LGBTQ Resource Center

2011-2014

Box 2

Folder 16

Women’s Studies/Women’s Herstory Month

2002-2013

Container

Author

Title

Box 2

Folder 17

Melissa Schultz

Research Paper: If Sexuality Is A Choice, When Did You Choose? A History of the LGB Student Group at The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 1983-2000