Abstract
This paper shares an Oral History project undertaken in partnership with the Ridgefield Historical Society, Ridgefield CT Pride, and students from Ridgefield High School. The mission of the Ridgefield Historical Society is to preserve, interpret, and foster public knowledge of the local town’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. Absent from the Historical Society’s collection - and underrepresented in the overall historical record - are stories of LGBTQ+ individuals. This research project aims to foster intergenerational conversation, connections, and bonding in the LGBTQ community within one local; increase civic pride, awareness, and acceptance of LGBTQ members of a community; record, preserve, and share LGBTQ stories that are underrepresented in the collection and historical record of the town. Implications from this research cut across the innovative nature of the project design and the knowledge garnered by forefronting Queer individual’s lived experiences. Reflection on our experiences conducting the research reveals both the rewards and challenges of partnering with adolescents as researchers; the rewards and challenges of conducting research in collaboration with multiple community-based organizations/institutions; and the rewards and challenges of attempting to create linkages across age and community boundaries. As we consider the narratives shared collectively, we have observed commonalities including spaces found, created, or carved out for belonging and community; perceptions of Queer experiences and challenges across generations; and the values of visibility and representation. Additionally, we are confronted with the effects of diverse human identity and representation in a social and political environment that disavows marginalized ways of knowing, being, and seeing.
Presenters
Robin CollinsOwner/Literacy Specialist, The Literacy Barn, LLC, Connecticut, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Civic, Political, and Community Studies
KEYWORDS
Affinities, Affiliations, Identities, Diversity, Minorities, Human Rights
