North Carolina native Samis Rose discusses her life as a lesbian artist living in the South. Born in Mooresville, North Carolina to an Eastern band Cherokee family, Ms. Rose talks about her intersectional identity as a self-described tomboy who also enjoys music and crafting. Ms. Rose explains how her early love of music and singing helped her to eventually find lesbian community and friendship within the safe spaces of women's music festivals. When Ms. Rose and her partner Billie (Stickle) Rose migrated to Charlotte, they worked with other community activists to forge and foster a vibrant LGBT cultural and political presence. Ms. Rose reflects on the many female musicians and Charlotte activists she has worked with over the years. Prominent musicians include Meg Christian, Alix Dobkin, Deidre McCalla, Holly Near, and Cris Williamson. Ms. Rose highlights the community work of Dan Kirsch, Don King (Donaldson Wells King), Jan McCoy, and John Quillin.
