Keith Gaston Bernard oral history interview 2, 2017 September 9
Description
In this second of two interviews, long-time gay-rights activist Keith Bernard recalls his experience in Charlotte, North Carolina as a gay man. Topics discussed include the rivalries between LGBTQ groups in the Triad, Triangle, and Charlotte area; spirituality among gay men (with reference to the Radical Faeries in Asheville and the Gay Spirit Visions group who met at The Mountain, a Unitarian retreat and camp in Highlands, North Carolina); music performances sponsored by LBGTQ groups in Charlotte and the influence of the arts on social change; the local gay and lesbian political action group, First Tuesday; protests launched by First Tuesday against Cracker Barrel after the company fired an employee for being gay; the impact of the HIV-AIDS epidemic on Charlotte; the catalyzing effect that attacks on the gay community by religious and political groups had in stimulating LGBTQ activism; and local LGBTQ political activity in general.
