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MsColl8_DAT_108
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Bert Wylen interviews Dick Leitsch, former president of the New York Mattachine Society, about his personal history and activism. Leitsch reflects on his upbringing in Louisville, his early experiences coming out, and his move to New York City, where he worked as a bartender before joining the Mattachine Society. Leitsch discusses his rise to leadership within the organization, internal generational divides over the meaning of homosexuality and political strategy, and his opposition to sectarian approaches to gay politics. Leitsch describes the Mattachine’s work against police entrapment amid escalating crackdowns on gay bars, as well as tensions between the east and west coast chapters. Leitsch addresses the political climate surrounding the Stonewall Rebellion, its evolving legacy, and ongoing myths about who was allowed at the Stonewall; Bert Wylen interviews Robert Bryan about his recollections of the Stonewall Rebellion. Bryan describes the atmosphere of the protests, addressing common myths such as who threw the first bottle, and reflects on the differences between the first night of the rebellion and the nights that followed. He discusses the lack of immediate recognition of Stonewall's significance by both the media and the broader gay community. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams and Pacifica National News
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MsColl8_DAT_109
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Bert Wylen presents Gaydreams, broadcast on December 18, 1994. Wylen presents national news updates including President Bill Clinton’s decision to fire the surgeon general, a Washington state Episocopal Bishop’s move to stop a gay wedding to be held within a Seattle church, progress in international plans to develop an AIDS vaccine, ongoing court proceedings in Alaska regarding asset allocation in the separation of a lesbian couple, the Swedish Embassy’s investigation of state-sanctioned homophobia in Albania, and an Indiana lesbian woman’s success in appealing a family court decision. “Calling You” by Jevetta Steele plays. Wylen interviews the TLA Video owner Raymond Murray about his book Videos in the Dark: An Encyclopedia of Gay and Lesbian Film and Video. “Go West” by Village People plays. Wylen presents local news updates and announcements. “I’ll Take You There” by General Public plays. Kimberly Kranich of WPSU-FM reports on the lesbian comedian Sara Cytron. “Tempted” by Squeeze plays. Wylen signs off as “The Difference” by Todd Rundgren plays.
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MsColl8_DAT_110
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Bert Wylen interviews Frank Kameny on February 10, 1994. Kameny discusses his early awareness of his sexuality, his dismissal from a civil service job in 1959 due to a lewd conduct charge, and his 15-year appeals process with the ACLU. Kameny reflects on the limited ambitions of early gay organizations and describes founding the Mattachine Society of Washington in 1961 as the first militant gay rights group. Kameny discusses clashes with political figures, tensions within the movement, and his role in organizing the first gay rights demonstrations in 1965. Kameny reflects on Stonewall’s impact, the founding of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), and the formation of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Kameny assesses the state of modern gay activism, considers the continued use of euphemisms in advocacy, and expresses concerns about the rise of right-wing fundamentalism while reflecting on the movement’s legal victories and ongoing challenges. Kameny describes his continued and plans for future activism. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams and Pacifica National News.
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MsColl8_DAT_111
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Bert Wylen interviews Randy Wicker on February 18, 1994 about his early civil rights and anti-war activism and his later involvement with the Mattachine Society. Wicker discusses his involvement in publicly promoting Mattachine Society events and publications, contributing to looming political and generational divides within the organization. Wicker describes founding the Homosexual League of New York, his pioneering radio work on WBAI in 1962, and his experiences organizing what he credits as one of the first public gay rights demonstrations in the United States. Wicker reflects on his later apathy and disillusionment with the gay rights movement in the years leading up to Stonewall, his shifting views on the rebellion and its significance, and addresses common myths about the uprising. Wicker discusses current gay youth movements such as GLF; Bert Wylen talks with Donna Redwing about his previous troubles with GLAAD while the record; Bert Wylen interviews Donna Redwing, National Coordinator for GLAAD New York, on February 21, 1994. Redwing discusses her activism opposing Oregon's Measure 9, an anti-gay ballot initiative proposed by the Oregon Citizens Alliance, reflecting on the campaign’s aggressive tactics and its impact on Oregon's gay community. Redwing shares her background in anti-war and civil rights activism and how these experiences shaped her later work in gay rights organizing. Redwing addresses the growing influence of far-right movements across the U.S. and the proliferation of similar anti-gay measures nationwide. Redwing emphasizes the importance of focusing gay activism beyond urban centers, particularly in rural communities. Redwing discusses the broad inaccessibility of the gay rights movement which preceded Stonewall and Stonewall’s significance as a turning point within this movement; Bert Wylen interviews Frank Bertelino on February 21, 1994 about his experiences during the Stonewall Rebellion. Bertelino reflects on his actions the night of the initial unrest, later recognizing the event's historical significance within gay history. Bertelino recounts his claim that, at age 17, he instigated the riot following an altercation with members of the growing crowd outside the Stonewall Inn. Bertelino distinguishes this initial conflict from what he describes as the true beginning of the rebellion, asserting that it was the following night’s organized return to the Stonewall and the sustained community demonstration that marked the start of the uprising. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams and Pacifica National News.
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MsColl8_DAT_112
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A recording of the album One of Us by Ted Fox. (1) Lead Time (2) Tell Me Why (3) When We Were Friend (4) Conversation with Tom (5) Sink or Swim (6) Song for the Quilt (7) It's Worth It (8) S+M (9) On My Side (10) One of Us
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MsColl8_DAT_113
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Bert Wylen interviews Harry Hay on March 9, 1994. Hay reflects on the sexual culture of his early life, recounting the restrictive measures doctors used to curb his early masturbation habits. Hay discusses the absence of a defined gay identity in the 1930s and 40s. Hay discusses the fear, blackmail, and police raids that shaped the lives of homosexual men, as well as the harsh sodomy laws of the time. Hay reflects on his decision to found the Mattachine Society, emphasizing its roots in his trade union background. Hay addresses his conflicts with Hal Call and the accusations of communism that led to divisions within Mattachine. Hay critiques modern assimilationist gay politics, the ethics of outing, and discusses the Stonewall 25 board’s exclusion of the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBALA); Bert Wylen interviews Dorr Legg at the ONE Institute in Los Angeles on March 9, 1994. Legg reflects on the influence of the group the Knights of the Clock, which he credits as the first homophile organization, which preceded organizations like the Mattachine Society and ONE Incorporated. Hay reflects on his youth activism in Black civil rights, his involvement with early gay rights organizing, and his eventual decision to leave his career in city planning for full-time activism after helping to establish ONE Inc. and its magazine. Legg highlights the contributions of Women of ONE, the political influences that shaped ONE’s structure, and the internal divisions within Mattachine. Hay reflects on his initial reaction to the Stonewall rebellion, its delayed recognition as a pivotal moment, and his views on the state of modern gay activism and ONE’s continuing role. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams and Pacifica National News.
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MsColl8_DAT_114
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Bert Wylen interviews Jim Kepner on March 10, 1994. Kepner discusses his early involvement in the homophile movement, his editorial work with ONE Magazine and ONE Quarterly, and the founding of the ONE Institute. Kepner reflects on Dale Jennings' entrapment case and its role in strengthening Mattachine, as well as the ideological conflicts that led to the group’s split under Hal Call. Kepner discusses the changes within Mattachine, his strategic disagreements with its new leadership, and ONE Inc.’s continued influence on gay organizing. Kepner reflects on Stonewall, earlier uprisings, and the evolving strategies of the gay rights movement; Bert Wylen interviews John O’Brien on March 10, 1994. O’Brien discusses his activism in the peace and civil rights movements, his memories of the Stonewall rebellion, and the stories that shaped its mythology. O’Brien recounts key events leading up to Stonewall, including the police murder of two gay men at the piers and a raid on the Checkerboard bar. O’Brien reflects on the rebellious energy of the 60s and its role in defining Stonewall’s significance. O’Brien discusses his work in helping found the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and organizing the first annual march to commemorate the rebellion; Bert Wylen interviews Reverend Dr. Janie Adams Spahr on March 11, 1994 about her work as a lesbian evangelist and advocate. Spahr discusses founding the Spectrum Center for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns, her transition to evangelism, and her approach to confronting homophobia within right-wing fundamentalist Christianity. Spahr reflects on her beliefs regarding gay and lesbian spirituality; Bert Wylen interviews Justin Chen in San Francisco. Chen discusses growing up as a gay teenager in Singapore, the cultural impact of the AIDS crisis, and his experiences as a gay Asian immigrant in the U.S. Chen reflects on orientalism, identity politics, and the mythologization of Stonewall. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams and Pacifica National News.
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MsColl8_DAT_115
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June Fortunato presents episode one of Growing Up Queer in America, a nine part series of radio theater written and adapted by Chris Cinque.
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MsColl8_DAT_116
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Bert Wylen presents his final episode as host of Gaydreams, broadcast on March 24, 1996. Wylen presents "Give Me Those Moments: Parents Remember Their Gay Sons Who Died of AIDS," An excerpt of "Women's Work" by Kate Bush plays. Wylen discusses the history and current statistics regarding AIDS, examining the fatal impact of the illness alongside the accompanying government neglect and social ostracization. An excerpt of "Women's Work" by Kate Bush plays. Ruth and Sanford Levy reflect on their son Ken, describing their initial ignorance of his sexuality while expressing pride in his financial success in New York City. Ken and Sandy Frank discuss their son Mark, who lived at home for nearly his entire life, reflecting on early suspicions about Mark's sexuality and recounting how he initially rebuffed their inquiries before being compelled to disclose his identity following his HIV-positive diagnosis. Ruth Glan reflects on her relationship with her son Russ, who came out during his teenage years, and describes the gay community events they attended together. Ajavia Muir discusses her experience as a lesbian mother to a gay son Hunter, exploring their shared commitment to gay activism. An excerpt of "How Many" by Margie Adam plays. The parents reflect on their initial reactions to and later engagement with their children's declining health due to AIDS. An excerpt of "Women's Work" by Kate Bush plays. The parents discuss the moments when they realized their children would die from AIDS-related complications. An excerpt of "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton plays. The parents discuss their subsequent AIDS activism and efforts to connect with other bereaved parents. An excerpt of "Women's Work" by Kate Bush plays. The parents share memories of their late children. An excerpt of "How Many?" by Margie Adam plays. “Sit On My Face” by Monty Python, “The Stones From Helen’s Field” by Chris Williamson and Tret Fury, and “People Got to Be Free” by The Rascals play. Wylen discusses his history with Gaydreams and reads a letter written to him by a listener. “Changes” by David Bowie, “Love Worth Fighting For” by Michael Callen, and “Something Inside (So Strong)” by The Flirtations play. Wylen signs off as “The Difference” by Todd Rundgren plays.
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MsColl8_DAT_117
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Bert Wylen presents Gaydreams, broadcast on October 2, 1994. Wylen presents national news updates including the Surgeon General’s identification of anti-gay violence as a public health crisis, large demonstrations and sit-ins organized by ACT UP Paris, progress in ongoing AIDS prevention research, the decision by lawmakers in Santa Fe, New Mexico to withdraw funding from local chapters of the Boy Scouts of America because of their discriminatory hiring practices, the withdraw of funding for programs focusing on gay and lesbians at a Texas college’s student health center, the first successful lawsuit against a doctors office which refused service to a patient with AIDS, and the success of Jesse Helms in attaching anti-gay amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Wylen reads a letter he received from a listener. “The Wizard” by Uriah Heep plays. Wylen interviews author Paul Russell about his book, Sea of Tranquility. “Space Oddity” by David Bowie plays. Wylen presents local news updates and announcements. “Little World Spinning Blue” by Cris Williamson and Tret Fure plays. John Beaupre of This Way Out reports on the United Nation’s decision to suspend the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) as a result of the organization's past affiliations with the North American Man Boy Love Association (NAMBLA). “Heart of That Child” by Susan Herrick plays. Wylen signs off as “The Difference” by Todd Rundgren plays.
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MsColl8_DAT_118
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Bert Wylen interviews Michael Petrelis on December 29, 1994 about his activism with ACT UP, the Lavender Hill Mob, and Queer Nation.
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MsColl8_DAT_119
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A recording of music by Mike Moran & the Vibe Tribe. (1) Wish You Well (2) Metamorphosis (3) Haunted Fantasy (4) Oceans of Love (5) Forgive Her
