LGBTQ

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  Interview with Andrew Russell - OH 802

  Andrew Russell

  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.

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  Interview with Gabriel Paxton - OH 151

  Gabriel Paxton

  In his February 18, 2015 interview with Michelle Dubert-Bellrichard, Gabriel Paxton shares the story of founding the grassroots organization Rock Hill for Equality. Included are his experiences as an ally in the Southeast and the partnerships he made to support Rock Hill for Equality. Paxton provides insight on this civil rights movement and speculates why the South is slow to change. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Stephen Lovegrove - OH 126

  Stephen Lovegrove

  In his December 2014 interview with Michelle Dubert-Bellrichard, Stephen Lovegrove shares his story coming to Winthrop as an “out” student recently kicked out of a religious college. Lovegrove details his perception of the attitude toward LGBTQ people and issues in Winthrop and Rock Hill. Lovegrove identifies resources in the community that are beneficial to LGBTQ people. He also comments on the LGBTQ social movement in terms of growing acceptance and the challenges it will face. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Jim Fouratt - OH 234

  Jim Fouratt

  In his February 28, 1993 interview with Ron Chepesiuk, Jim Fouratt discussed his involvement with the Gay Liberation Front and the anti-war movement. Fourrat is an actor and has been since before he was a gay rights activist. Fourrat explained his role as a leader in the Gay Liberation Front, a non-violent activist group. He also covered the topics of “outing”, hippies, the New Left, the Black Panther Party, J. Edgar Hoover, Stonewall, homophobia, blacklisting in Hollywood, self-empowerment, the AIDS epidemic, and non-violence versus violence. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.