University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Closeted/Out in the Quadrangles Oral Histories Collection 2012-2015

Descriptive Summary

Title:	Closeted/Out in the Quadrangles. Oral Histories. Collection
Dates:	2012-2015
Size:	57.68 GB
Repository:	Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.
Abstract:	This collection contains 67 oral histories conducted for “Closeted/Out in the Quadrangles: A History of LGBTQ Life at the University of Chicago,” a research project of the University of Chicago’s Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality (CSGS) from 2012 to 2015. The project’s mission was to document the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities at the University of Chicago from the early twentieth century to the present. Interviews were conducted with UChicago alumni, faculty, and staff. Most interviewees are alumni. Class years of interviewed alumni range from 1958 to 2014.

Information on Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

Transcriptions were made by the project coordinators for the majority of the interviews, but not all. When available, the recordings and transcriptions are linked to in the inventory section of this finding aid.

Seven oral histories are anonymized at the request of the interviewees. The transcriptions for these interviews were anonymized by project coordinators, but the audio recordings were not. The audio recordings are accordingly restricted for these seven interviews.

Additional oral histories were conducted but are closed to research due to incomplete release forms. Any individuals who were interviewed for the project who do not see their interview in this finding aid are urged to contact the Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center for the completion of necessary paperwork. Additionally, if any oral histories made public on this site violate personal privacy, please contact the Center and we will address the situation immediately.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: [identification of oral history], Closeted/Out in the Quadrangles Oral Histories Collection, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Historical Note

“Closeted/Out in the Quadrangles: A History of LGBTQ Life at the University of Chicago” was a research project of the University of Chicago’s Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality (CSGS) from 2012 to 2015. Led by Lauren Stokes (PhD 2016) and Monica Mercado (PhD 2016), the project’s mission was to document the histories of LGBTQ individuals and communities at the University of Chicago from the early twentieth century to the present. The project included collecting oral histories and other records from LGBTQ alumni, faculty, and staff and an exhibition in the gallery of the University of Chicago Library’s Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center on view March 30-June 12, 2015.

With support from the CSGS’s undergraduate oral history internship program and undergraduate seminars, the project collected 89 oral histories. Interviewers included Amanda Bennett, Kelsey Ganser, Molly Liu, Ash Mayo, Monica Mercado, Kristofer Rosentel, and Lauren Stokes. Transcriptions were created by Amanda Bennett, Mich Elliott, Skylar Liam, Molly Liu, Monica Mercado, and Lauren Stokes.

Scope Note

This collection contains 67 oral histories conducted from 2012 to 2015 for “Closeted/Out in the Quadrangles: A History of LGBTQ Life at the University of Chicago.” Interviews were conducted with LGBTQ UChicago alumni, faculty, and staff. Most interviewees are alumni. Class years of interviewed alumni range from 1958 to 2014.

Transcriptions were made by the project coordinators for the majority of the interviews, but not all. When available, the audio recordings and transcriptions are linked to in the inventory section of this finding aid.

Seven oral histories are anonymous at the request of the interviewees. The transcriptions for these interviews were anonymized by project coordinators, but the audio recordings were not. The audio recordings are accordingly restricted for these seven interviews.

Demographic forms for the project included a space for interviewees to self-describe their sexual identity. Terms interviewees used to describe themselves included: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Dyke, and Queer. Gender identities were not disclosed in the demographic form.

Related Resources

Browse finding aids by topic.

“Closeted/OUT in the Quadrangles: A History of LGBTQ Life at the University of Chicago,” online exhibition, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, 2015.

“Closeted/Out in the Quadrangles” project blog on Tumblr. Accessed 24 October 2022.

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Subject Headings

Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality (University of Chicago)
Bisexual people
Gay men
Gender identity in education
Lesbians
LGBTQ college students
LGBTQ people
LGBTQ people in the workplace
LGBTQ students’ clubs
Queer people
Sexual identity
Sexuality
Transgender people

INVENTORY

Anonymous Female AB 1967. Interviewed July 9, 2014. Transcript only.