Oral History

Hearing the voices and memories of early leaders and activists.

This Oral History collection provides in-depth interviews with a diverse group of early LGBT religious leaders.  By selecting a person you can listen to that interview, read the transcript, view photographs and peruse biographical notes.

Rebecca Alpert

rabbi, author

 

Ruth Barrett

high priestess in
Z Budapest tradition

 

Michael Cole

pastor, founder of
Christ Chapel Church

 

Chalotte Doclar

nun, teacher

 

Karen Doherty

co-founder of Conference
for Catholic Lesbians

 

George Hyde

priest, led gay congre-gation in Atlanta in 1946

 

Virginia Mollenkott

evangelical feminist
theologian

 

Falcon River

guardian priestess

 

Jade River

founder of Reformed Congregation of the
Goddess-International

 

Freda Smith

elder, feminist

 


LGBT-RAN's Oral History project serves as a model for any individual or any group in LGBT religious movements interested in using oral histories to preserve their history. LGBT-RAN will foster such oral histories by providing training and resources to groups and individuals. In particular, LGBT-RAN will:

  • support LGBT groups and individuals engaged in oral history projects,
  • offer technical support and advice,
  • display these oral histories on our website, and
  • seek ongoing funding to underwrite the costs of these interviews.

LGBT-RAN invites you to:

  1. Send us the names of LGBT religious leaders whose unique stories risk being entirely lost;
  2. Begin interviewing and recording oral histories with your group's early leaders--LGBT-RAN staff will be glad to provide consultation as needed;
  3. Notify LGBT-RAN of existing recordings of oral history interviews with early LGBT religious leaders. Our website would list them, link to them, or digitize and include them for wider visibility;
  4. Suggest sources of possible funding for ongoing oral history efforts.

For more information about LGBT-RAN's ongoing oral history project, e-mail oralhistory@lgbtran.org.

Excellent online tutorials and workshops in all aspects of oral history are available; we recommend the following: