Interview with Ethan Hamblin, November 2, 2011

Partial Transcript: Once again this is Ethan Hamblin, uh, for the Queer Oral History Project. We're in, uh, Berea, Kentucky, it's November, uh, 2nd, 2011.

Segment Synopsis: Ethan talks about the importance of community and his Appalachian identity. Describes his family and friends.

Keywords: Community; Family; Friends; Gays Creek (Ky.); Perry County (Ky.)

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Gays--Family relationships.; Parents of gays.

Partial Transcript: Um, which starts with my mom, always. Um, she and I are very, very close. We talk every day, if not two or three times a day.

Segment Synopsis: Talks about relationship with parents and grandparents and describes their personalities.

Keywords: Fathers; Grandparents; Influences; Mothers; Presbyterian; Role models

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Gays--Family relationships.; Parents of gays.

Partial Transcript: And then I get to my friends, um. I have one very strong friend, and she, my best friend and, from home, and she, um, and I are like brother and sister and we talk almost every day.

Segment Synopsis: Talks about relationships with friends and school experiences.

Keywords: Community involvement; Friends; High schools

Subjects: Gay high school students.; Gay teenagers.

Partial Transcript: One of the things that I find most interesting is that, because I was who I was, who I am, um, I'm Ethan Hamblin, from Buckhorn, a lot of people know that.

Segment Synopsis: Ethan talks about his decision to not be open about his homosexuality in his hometown to his community or grandparents.

Keywords: Childbearing; Family heir; Fears; Grandparents; Opinions

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Coming out (Sexual orientation).; Gays--Family relationships.

Partial Transcript: And, so I didn't tell anybody until I came to Berea. And, which was, has been a very interesting experience, um, 'cause I come from extremely white, heterosexual, conservative, Christian background.

Segment Synopsis: Talks about the struggle of being out at college but closeted at home.

Keywords: Acceptance; Berea (Ky.); Colleges; Diversity; Fears; Secrecy

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Coming out (Sexual orientation).; Gay youth; Sexual minority college students

Partial Transcript: So, um, I started in January, and I had a full-on plan of how I was going to come out. And, the coming out for me was not a full-on coming out to everyone, because that was not feasible.

Segment Synopsis: Talks about coming out to best friend and parents. Talks about reactions of those he came out to.

Keywords: Acceptance; Berea (Ky.); Facebook; Friends; Grandparents; Letters

Subjects: Coming out (Sexual orientation).; Parents of gays.; Sexual minority parents.

Partial Transcript: Um, something I haven't talked about is religion, which is very important to me. I don't know if you want to talk about this or not....

Segment Synopsis: Ethan talks about what he likes about being a Presbyterian. Talks about the church's views on homosexuality. Discusses how his homosexuality made his faith grow.

Keywords: Beliefs; Choir; Conversions; Damnation; Denominations; Love; Presbyterianism; Religion

Subjects: Homosexuality--Religious aspects.; Presbyterian gay men.

Partial Transcript: So you didn't, did you have any type of, I'm going to take it that you didn't have any type of relationships.

Segment Synopsis: Ethan talks about his first relationship with a man. Talks about differing cultural identities. Talks about parents' reaction to his boyfriend.

Keywords: Boyfriends; Compatibility; Partners; Personalities; Relationships

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Gay couples

Partial Transcript: One of the problems that Appalachians have, especially Appalachian LGBT youth, we do not have a network. We don't know who we are, we don't know where we all are.

Segment Synopsis: Ethan talks about lack of LGBT community in Appalachia and discusses how to build a gay community in eastern Kentucky. Talks about current LGBT organizations in the region.

Keywords: Eastern Kentucky Fairness; Events; Letcher County (Ky.); Perry County (Ky.); Presence; Reach Out; Rural; STAY; STAY Project; Whitesburg (Ky.)

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Gay community; Gay culture.; Homosexuality--Religious aspects.

Partial Transcript: Um, another thing that I think we need to think about is not being afraid to... not being afraid to be out and open and talk about it, which is something I still struggle with.

Segment Synopsis: Talks about the need for gay Appalachians to be out and open. Talks about homosexuals leaving the region and the need to advocate for more jobs.

Keywords: Appalachia; Community involvement; Confidence; Jobs; Leaving; Open

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region--Economic conditions; Coming out (Sexual orientation)

Partial Transcript: I don't consider Berea Appalachia, at all. Uh, I can see the mountains a little bit in the distance, but not really. I'm not in them.

Segment Synopsis: Ethan talks about how Appalachians have a strong tie to the land and their families. Talks about Appalachians who choose to leave the region.

Keywords: American Holler (Television program); Commitments; Cultures; Families; Identity; LGBT; Lands; Loyalty; Migrations; STAY; STAY Project

Subjects: Appalachian Region; Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Gay community; Gays--Family relationships

Partial Transcript: I guess doing this always makes me question did I get it cor-, the correct way, could I be more open about who I am and, um. Everything else I've talked about I'm extremely open about.

Segment Synopsis: Ethan wonders if being out at home would change his experience. Talks more about the need to establish a LGBT community. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: LGBT; Networks; Support systems

Subjects: Appalachian Region; Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Coming out (Sexual orientation); Gay community; Social networks