PRESERVING OUR HISTORY

In November 2017, the Red River Rainbow Seniors began an oral history project, “Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories from the Northern Plains.”  One-on-one interviews collecting the life histories of Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies from our region are the centerpieces of this project.  Our interviews cover topics such as family background, experiences of school and college, coming out stories, 2SLGBTQIA+ social life, significant relationships, community engagement, and life reflections.

We interviewed over 200 people ranging in age from their 30s to their 80s.  We currently have over 200 additional people we hope to interview, a number that continues to grow. 

The interviews conducted along with photographs and other materials that provide a richer portrait of a narrator, are deposited at the North Dakota State University Archives in a permanent collection.  Depending upon the wishes of the narrators, interviews and other materials are made available online on Digital Horizons (link: https://digitalhorizonsonline.org/digital/collection/ndsu-voices/search)

The “Breaking Barriers” website (link: https://www.rainbowseniorsoralhistory.org/) serves as important portal to learn more about the project including how to:

• Tell your story;

• Listen to others’ stories;

• Explore themes within the collection;

• Read about the dedicated team behind the project;

• Contact the project’s administrators;

• Support the work of the project.

Please consider joining us on this journey of discovery and learning about what has often been the hidden history of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.