William Way LGBT Community Center Digital Collections

Chin, Justin; Kepner, Jim; O'Brien, John; Spahr, Janie; Wylen, Bert

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.

1994-03-10; 1994-03-11; undated

01:39:28

digital audio tape

local: Ms. Coll. 8; https://digital.wilcoxarchives.org/islandora/object/islandora:1623

Gaydreams audio recordings

English

Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Singapore

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