Contact Info
Archive, Manuscript & Rare Book collections are accessed in Olin Library at the Special Collections reading room.
HOURS: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 by appointment
LOCATION: Olin Library, 1st floor, Danforth Campus
REQUESTS / APPOINTMENTS: 314-935-5495 spec@wumail.wustl.edu
*collections stored offsite require advance notice for retrieval and use
Questions about a specific topic? Contact:
University Archives: Sonya Rooney
Rare Books: Cassie Brand
Manuscript: Joel Minor
Local History: Miranda Rectenwald
Dowd Illustration Research Archive: interim curator
Film & Media Archive: Andy Uhrich
About
Transgender Spectrum Conference Oral History Collection (WUA00519)
In November 2019, five attendees of the Transgender Spectrum Conference recorded oral histories reflecting on their stories as trans individuals. The conference planners worked with the Washington University Department of Special Collections to organize this project. Inspired by similar projects such as Tretter Transgender Oral History Project, https://www.lib.umn.edu/tretter/transgender-oral-history-project and the NYC Trans Oral History Project, https://www.nyctransoralhistory.org/, the project's goals were to preserve trans stories and experiences from the middle of America (areas commonly labeled Midwest, Plains, mid-South), and prioritize the experiences of trans communities that remain marginalized even in the wake of growing mainstream trans visibility. An open call was made to all attendees and five individuals selected to participate in the project. Interviews were conducted by the Curator of Local History, and a conference volunteer.
The Transgender Spectrum Conference, first held in 2013 "was community-based and overseen by a board comprised of community members and people with professional interest in gender equity." The 2019 conference was hosted by Washington University at the Brown School of Social Work on November 8 and 9, 2019. Although organizers hoped to make the oral history component a regular part of the conference program for future years, as of October 2021 it was uncertain if the conference would continue.
Conditions Governing Use
Arrangement
- For more information see archived conference websitehttps://wayback.archive-it.org/7608/*/https://sites.wustl.edu/transgenderspectrumconference/
Oral Histories
Each link below opens a folder with audio file and a typed transcript. Users are provided access to these recordings and transcripts for educational or personal use only. They may not be reposted without permission (although sharing links is certainly encouraged). For further questions about copyright, usage, or to access recordings not available online, please contact spec@wumail.wustl.edu
- Kelli J. WoodKelli (she/hers) was born in 1994 in Paragould, Arkansas. Now living in Springfield, Missouri she is working on her masters degree in health administration. In this oral history Kelli discusses her family, working for the Aids Project of the Ozarks (APO), reflections on transitioning, religion, and her experiences traveling to Europe and Nicaragua.
- India Reid and Destiny ReidIndia (she/hers) was born in 1987 in Centerville, Illinois. In this oral history India discusses her work with the city of St. Louis to secure housing and social services for trans women in need and how she became involved with MTUG. She offers a powerful testimony living as an African American trans woman, about overcoming trauma and violence, living life as U=U, and discusses how she became a drag performer in the House of Principle. Towards the end of the interview she discusses with Destiny, her teenage daughter, some family history and her transition.
- Terry Lee WillitsTerry (he/him) was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1964. Now living in St. Louis, in this interview Terry discusses his decision to transition at age 53, focusing on his experiences with surgery, therapy, voice work, and medical care. He also discusses volunteering at MTUG (Metro Trans Umbrella Group), and reflects on relationships with partners.
- Elliot LaurenceElliot (he/him) was born in 1998 in St. Louis county, Missouri. Currently he is completing an undergraduate degree in English at Webster University, Webster Groves, Missouri, and serving as an Air Force reservist. In this oral history Elliot discusses growing up in Wentzville, Missouri, his transition while both in the military and attending college, his passion for writing, and relationships with friends and family.
- Scott Xavier FiekeScott Xavier Fieke (they / he) is an intersex, two-spirit, queer, transgender man who moved to Davenport, Iowa recently with his partner. Born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1959, in the oral history Scott discusses his childhood, the struggles of his father's mental illness, and as an intersex person the traumas caused to them by medical professions. Scott discusses his career as a teacher, and his decision to get degrees in guidance and counseling from Southwest Missouri State in Springfield. Scott offers a reflection on the difficulties faced transitioning while working at a religious-based mental health agency in Kansas City, and the happiness of meeting his current partner online. At the end of the interview Scott reflects on their life together and their relationships with religion, including the Catholic church and MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) of Quad Cities.
About the finding aid
Finding aid published: October 2021
Finding aid author: Miranda Rectenwald