Documenting Lesbian Lives Oral History Project, 2010- 2011: Collection Overview

Abstract:

Documenting Lesbian Lives Oral History Project is a collection of life histories of women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, woman-identified-woman, queer, or who prefer not to identify with sexuality categories. The project provides a complex and nuanced collective story of American lesbian history and experience. Narrators include grassroots activists and political organizers; educators and academics; musicians, writers, and artists; as well as community and religious leaders. They come from a variety of class, ethnic, racial, social, and geographic backgrounds. Interviews cover childhood and growing up experiences; education and employment; activism and politics; family, identity, relationships and community.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on access:

The oral histories are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection, with the following exceptions:
Small portions of the interview of Jay Toole are closed and have been removed from the transcripts. The audiovisual portions of these interviews are closed. The transcripts of Wendy Essery, Andrea Hairston, Holly Richardson, Cody Penotte, Catherine Pittman, Bet Power, Ellen Shumsky, and Laura Sullivan, and are not available online. Researchers may contact the SSC for a copy. The interview of Laura Sullivan is closed except with permission.

Original videotapes and master copies are closed. Viewing copies are available on DVD for all except Sullivan.

Partially restricted access - contact the Sophia Smith Collection for more information.

Restrictions on use:

The Sophia Smith Collection owns copyright to all of the oral histories. Permission must be obtained to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Requests for permission to publish quotations should be addressed to the Sophia Smith Collection and should include identification of the specific passages to be quoted, anticipated use of the passages, and identification of the user. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.