Interview with Ross Ewing and Mel Lesch, July 2, 2018

Partial Transcript: The date is July second and we are in the Nunn Center.

Segment Synopsis: Ross Ewing and Mel Lesch are introduced. They each give a brief overview of their lives.

Keywords: Boyd Hall; Lafayette High School; Law schools; Lexington (Ky.); Masters degrees; Nicknames; Residence Life; University of Kentucky; University of Maryland

Subjects: Education, Higher; Education--Kentucky; Employment--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: How about we start with what your first week at UK was like, Ross.

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch each describe their first week at the University of Kentucky in 2001, Ewing coming from the smaller community of Owensboro, Kentucky and Lesch as a Lexington native.

Keywords: Air conditioning; Big city; Boyd Hall; Campus Ruckus; Cliques; Closeted; Co-educational; Freshman year; Friends; Heat; Hometowns; Men; Mixed gender visitation; Owensboro (Ky.); Roommates; Same gender visitation; Shock; Women

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College freshmen; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Education, Higher; Lexington (Ky.); Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: But we had, we had Honors 101 together.

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch talk about meeting one another at UK, and Ewing talks about coming out to Lesch. They discuss how the college atmosphere was affected by the national tragedy of September 11, 2001. They discuss the atmosphere among their group of friends, and Lesch describes her first coming out experience.

Keywords: 9-11-2001; 9/11/2001; Alcohol; Allies; Brothers; CentrePointe (City Center); Changing; Childhood; Classes; Classrooms; Comfortable; Crushes; Down syndrome; Drinking; Fazoli's; France; Friends; Hepatitis C; High schools; Identity; In-state colleges; Junior year; Meeting; Mia's; National tragedy; Openness; Patterson Hall; Processing; Self-discovery; September 11, 2001; Sophomore year; Straight; Study abroad

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College juniors; College sophomores; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Coming out (Sexual orientation); Education, Higher; Gay men--Identity.; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lesbian community; Lesbians--Identity.; Lexington (Ky.); September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001; Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What was the LGBTQ presence on campus like?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss the small LGBTQ presence at UK when they first arrived. They talk about the few people who were out at the time, and the fear of being involved in LGBTQ groups. They describe the LGBTQ organizations that existed, including their membership and activities. They talk about an anti-gay group on campus at the time, and talk about starting a safe spaces training program. They discuss the atmosphere in Kentucky at the time due to an anti-gay marriage amendment being on the ballot in the upcoming election.

Keywords: 2003; Advertising; Amendments; Anti-gay; Awareness; Baptist Student Union; Being out; Boyd Hall; Campus groups; Demographics; Dormitories; Ellen Riggle; Freshman year; Friends; Gay marriage; Homophobia; Homophobic; Joan Callahan; Kentucky; Lambda (organization); Lavender (organization); Male-focused; Mary Bolin; Meetings; Mia's; OUTsource (organization); Organizations; Outlawed; Public; Race; Racial distribution; Safe Zone program; Safe spaces; Same-sex marriage; Scared; Sophomore year; Student government; Transgender people; Transpeople; Women

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College freshmen; College juniors; College sophomores; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; College teachers--Social conditions; Coming out (Sexual orientation); Education, Higher; Gay men--Identity.; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lesbian community; Lesbians--Identity.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So after you, uh, started the Safe Zone training, was that like a, like a segue into OUTsource for you all or did that happen after you graduated?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss how their involvement in the safe spaces training program led to their involvement in the creation of OUTsource. They discuss how the suicide and attempted suicides of UK students impacted OUTsource's creation. They talk about faculty and administrators' roles in the organization's creation, as well as their own roles as students.

Keywords: Diversity task force; Emotional; Lambda (organization); Lavender (organization); Lee Todd; Letters; Mary Bolin; Meetings; OUTsource (organization); Pat Terrell; Presentations; Questions; Recruitment tactics; Safe Zone training; Safe spaces; Senior year; Student government; Suicide; University administration; University presidents

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College seniors; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; College teachers--Social conditions; Education, Higher; Gay men--Identity.; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lesbian community; Lesbians--Identity.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: It--so the f--the--so OUTsource was a space that was a renovated bathroom.

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss how OUTsource's original location was in a remodeled bathroom in the Student Center. They talks about the level of institutional support they received, as well as why the grand opening was not highly publicized in campus media. They talk about the relationship between LGBTQ groups and other diversity-related groups at the time.

Keywords: "Safe gay"; Black Student Union (BSU); Books; DVDs; Diversity awards; Domestic partner benefits; Ernesto Scorsone; Funding; Glass walls; Grants; Hostility; Institutional support; Kentucky Kernel; Media; Names; OUTsource (organization); Outlaw (organization); Peers; Power; Reluctance; Renovated bathrooms; Resistance; Resources; Ribbon cutting ceremonies; Support

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Coming out (Sexual orientation); Education, Higher; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What kind of, uh, programs did you design and implement as part of OUTsource?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss some of the programs and events held by OUTsource that they remember, including Coming Out Day.

Keywords: Activities; Ani DiFranco; Burn out; Coming Out Day; Condoms; Drag shows; Free Speech Area; Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA); Gayla; Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA); Lambda (organization); Lavender (organization); Law schools; OUTsource (organization); Programs; Safe sex; Student-run; University of Maryland; Volunteers

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Education, Higher; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lesbian community; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well, I just remember, like--so Coming Out Day was started with Lavender and Lambda, at least as far as I know...

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss the societal attitudes toward LGBTQ people during the early 2000s. They talk about being harassed by preachers during OUTsource events, fears when going on dates in public, and the possibility of verbal harassment or physical violence in the streets.

Keywords: Amendments; Dates; Dating; Gay marriage; Holding hands; Homophobia; Homophobic; OUTsource (organization); Off-campus; On-campus; Organizations; Preachers; Privilege; Safety; Same-sex marriage; Slurs; Transgender people; Treatment

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Discrimination.; Education, Higher; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Um, so what was OUTsource's original mission?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss OUTsource's original mission. They talk about their sources and level of funding in the early days and talk about how it has changed over time.

Keywords: Black Student Union (BSU); Board; Constitutions; Donations; Ernesto Scorsone; Funding; Goals; Involvement; Lance Poston; Magazines; Missions; Money; OUTsource (organization); Outreach; Phyllis Lee; Resources; Student Activities Board (SAB); Student groups; Student organizations

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Education, Higher; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Um, so looking back on, you know, OUTsource and other, um, efforts you were involved with during undergrad, what do you think was missing?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss aspects that they did not consider when initially beginning OUTsource, including racial issues and transgender inclusion, among others.

Keywords: Avoidance; Awareness; Changes; Focus; Genderqueer; Inclusion; Institutions; Intersectionality; Lavender (organization); OUTsource (organization); Piecemeal; Progress; Race; Racial issues; Racism; Regrets; Representation; Safe spaces; Sexual assault; Struggles; University of Maryland

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Education, Higher; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Transgender identity; Transgender people--Identity.; Transgender people.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, um, what do you make of the current LGBTQ presence on campus compared to the presence of that time?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch talk about how the LGBTQ presence at UK has changed since their days as students, both positively and negatively.

Keywords: Bashed; Hate; Homophobia; Homophobic; Identity; Microaggressions; Out; Politics; Presidents; Progress; Roommates; Scholarships; Spectrums (organization); Support; Vocal

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Discrimination.; Education, Higher; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What was the most rewarding aspect of being involved in, you know, Lavender, Lambda, OUTsource, and all of that?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch talk about what they consider to be the most rewarding aspect of their involvement in OUTsource and other campus organizations. They mention the long-standing friendships they formed and practice in professionalism, among others.

Keywords: "Grown ups'; Acceptance; Adults; Closeness; Closeted; Continuation; Death; Friends; Friendships; Lavender (organization); Meetings; OUTsource (organization); Outlaw (organization); Personal connections; Practice; Progress; Recognition; Rewarding; Stephanie Little; Undergraduates; University of Maryland; Volunteer-run

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Education, Higher; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lesbian community; Lesbians--Identity.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Were you able to stay in touch about, um, how OUTsource was doing once you graduated?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch talk more about the original mission and funding for OUTsource. They discuss how LGBTQ organizations sometimes are not aware of those that have come before them. They discuss the difficulty and importance of passing on LGBTQ history between generations.

Keywords: Awareness; Bitterness; Donations; Elders; First; Funding; Goals; Illegal; Knowledge; LGBT Welcome; Lambda (organization); Lavender (organization); Missions; Money; OUTsource (organization); Office of LGBTQ* Resources; Plaques; Pride Cats (organization); Resources; Staying in touch; Stories; Student-focused; The Bar

Subjects: College campuses.; College environment; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Education, Higher; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lesbian community; Lesbians--Identity.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Universities and colleges.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Actually, I'm glad that you brought that up 'cause I was gonna ask what, um, places you all would go to when you were in undergrad?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss the places they hung out when they were students at UK, naming bars, coffee shops, and personal residences as the most popular spaces.

Keywords: A1A (bar); Alcohol; Apartments; CentrePointe (City Center); Club Liquid; Coffee Times (coffee shop); Common Grounds (coffee shop); Coping mechanisms; Crossings (bar); Drinking; Friends; Hang outs; Houses; Hyatt Regency; Karaoke; Mia's; Musicians; Nerds; Safe spaces; Schedules; Sound Bar; The Bar; The Dame (bar)

Subjects: College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lesbian community; Lesbians--Identity.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.

Partial Transcript: Uh, how did UK--or how has UK and Lexington changed since you were in undergrad?

Segment Synopsis: Ewing and Lesch discuss how Lexington and UK have changed since the early 2000s in regard to LGBTQ acceptance. They discuss how Pride has grown and changed, and talk about some of the Lexington-wide LGBTQ organizations and people that have historically (and are still currently) doing important work in the LGBTQ community. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: AIDS crisis; AIDS epidemic; Aids Volunteers, Inc. (AVOL); Appalshop; Belinda Ann Mason; Changes; Comfortable; Corporations; Dating; HIV-positive; Hair styles; Haircuts; Home-delivered meals; Imperial Court; Joan Callahan; Mary Bolin; Mayors; Moveable Feast; Out of town; Politics; Pride festivals; Pride picnics; Progress; Protests; Safe places; Safe spaces; Safer; Small towns; Sponsors; Support; White privilege

Subjects: Discrimination.; Gay community; Gay pride parades; Homosexuality--Social aspects.; Lexington (Ky.); Sexual minorities--Identity.; Sexual orientation.; Social change.; University of Kentucky