Interviewer
Baylee Hughes
Files
Abstract
This interview was conducted by Baylee Hughes with Andrew “Drew” Russell for her “Being LGBTQIA+ at Winthrop” oral history project. The project documents the voices and experiences of historically marginalized LGBTQIA+ students, former students, and employees of Winthrop University. Russell discusses his experiences as an openly gay student at Winthrop, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2018 and a Master of Arts in History in 2020. He describes his involvement with Global, Winthrop’s LGBTQ+ student organization, and his desire to find a supportive community where he could interact openly with other LGBTQ+ students. He also discusses his involvement with Student Veterans at Winthrop and the differing levels of comfort he experienced discussing his sexual orientation within LGBTQ+ and military-related settings.
Russell describes the History Department as a safe and supportive environment and also discusses positive experiences with faculty in the Political Science Department. He reflects on his perceptions of LGBTQ+ inclusivity at Winthrop, including the university’s Safe Zone initiatives and campus programs supporting LGBTQ+ students and employees. He also discusses areas where he believes greater awareness and inclusivity are needed. Russell describes how his experiences as a gay student influenced his academic interests, particularly after recognizing the limited representation of LGBTQ+ history in historical scholarship. He discusses his master’s thesis on the history of homosexuality and Christianity and his interest in researching and preserving LGBTQ+ histories. The interview also addresses Russell’s experiences coming out, family reactions to his sexual orientation, his experiences living as an openly gay man in Rock Hill, and his perceptions of changing attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people.
Publication Date
2-15-2021
Unique Identifier
OH 802
Format
MP4; M4A;
Length
00:17:57
Restrictions
Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University
Series
LGBTQ
Recommended Citation
Russell, Andrew, "Interview with Andrew Russell - OH 802" (2021). Winthrop University Oral History Program. OH 802.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/781