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Oral History Project

Macalester's LGBT alumni have unique perspectives and experiences on college life, whether they attended in the ’50s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s or 2000s. The Scot's Pride Oral History Project is an effort to weave together this collection of perspectives on LGBT life at Macalester.
About the Oral History Project »

 

Paula Lackie ’84 Interviewed by Danielle Nelson ’05 July 26, 2006 43m. 30s. Paula Lackie ’84 talks about her search for a sense of belonging—before, during and after her time at Macalester. Before enrolling, Paula says she made any excuse to visit her girlfriend who attended Macalester, making the short trip from her family’s home in Richfield many times. Paula describes the challenges posed by loving someone who did not want to be public about their relationship. Paula tells why she joined Women’s Soccer, which was only just becoming a varsity sport, as her main social activity. She recalls her first visits to the Macalester Lesbian and Gay Coalition office and discovering their journal, “You Are Not Alone,” for the first time during her final semester.  play recording » (.mp3 - 10MB)

Robert Ochoa-Shutz ’76 Interviewed by Danielle Nelson ’05 May 18, 2006 49m. 58s. Attending Macalester from 1971 to 1975, Robert Ochoa-Shutz ’76 and eight other students were the Macalester Gay Student Union. Robert talks about the early days of the group, it's initial support on campus and how it gave him the confidence to come out at Macalester. He shares what it was like to later come out to his family and how the hurtfulness of that experience harmed his faith. He has since been ordained as an elder of a Presbyterian Church in Baldwin Park, Calif., and shares his perspective on the role religion can have for members of the LGBT community. play recording » (.mp3 - 20.2MB)

Mark Meinke ’70 Interviewed by Danielle Nelson ’05 May 19, 2006 30m. 06s. Mark Meinke ’70 describes the early ’70s as an era when “gay” meant “pervert” and few gay men were out. He shares memories of the Hague House Commune, coming out after graduation, living in the Middle East within its gay community and coming home to an evolving gay culture in the U.S. Meinke explains why he resigned from Macalester’s Alumni Board in the early ’90s and shares his excitement for Macalester’s first LGBT Reunion in the fall. play recording » (.mp3 - 12.6MB)

David Perkins ’76 Interviewed by Danielle Nelson ’05 May 18, 2006 39m. 59s. David Perkins ’76 discusses transferring to Macalester his Junior year, falling in love after graduation and his current work as a therapist. He also shares the fears that kept him from coming out while studying at Macalester and his perspectives on how GLBT rights fit into campus civil rights efforts from 1974 to 1976. play recording » (.mp3 - 16.2MB)

Meg Duhr-Schultz ’04 Interviewed by Danielle Nelson ’05 April 23, 2006 27m. 52s. Meg Duhr-Schultz '04 talks about her experience coming out at Macalester and the continual process of coming out to other individuals and groups. She also talks about positive and negative aspects of being out at Macalester and suggests some institutional changes the college could adapt to become even more LGBT-friendly. play recording » (.mp3 - 11.2MB)

Laura Robrish Matanah ’90 Interviewed by Danielle Nelson ’05 April 13, 2006 42m. 33s. Laura Robrish Matanah '90 discusses how she chose to attend Macalester, overcoming her fear of coming out on campus and her reflections on the LGBT community. play recording » (.mp3 - 14.7MB)

Richard Dowdell ’99 Interviewed by Danielle Nelson ’05 March 28, 2006 37m. 54s. Richard Dowdell ’99 shares his perspective on the state of Macalester's LGBT community in the late 1990s. play recording » (.mp3 - 13MB)

Bruce Fisher ’71 Interviewed by Danielle Nelson ’05 March 13, 2006 50m. 46s. Scots Pride Coordinator Danielle Nelson ’05 talks with Bruce Fisher ’71 about LGBT life at Macalester in the early 1970s. play recording » (.mp3 - 17.4MB)