Mother So Queer | A Queer History of Wake Forest University

Kevin Furr on resources for LGBTQ students in the 1980s

“I broached that and I had to go through the Counseling Center of all places they wanted to make sure I was secure, stable in who I was before I was presenting myself to be in front of other students. I find that so interesting now because in that period of time it was almost…

Dustin Fletcher talks about writings on the wall

“There are just certain points where it might just be the small things written on the stall wall or the small thing that you heard someone say that was not directed at you, was not really directed at anyone, but still, that was just enough on that day to be what—what did it, you know?…

Podcast: Amanda Miller speaks about coming out

I came out, to myself–. My sexuality occurred to me as an epiphany three days after I graduated high school. In retrospect, I should’ve known and many people in my life knew, but they were waiting for me to arrive at it myself. But as of my arrival at Wake Forest, I knew…

Sandy Seawright on the struggle to “fit” at Wake Forest

“I don’t want to sound self-serving, but I’ve been told I’m likeable, but that’s why worse things didn’t happen to me as a gay person, some people experience direct violence and so forth, but because of being likeable, some professionals, therapists, have told me that they think that’s why I missed that. But I knew…

J. Robby Gregg reflects on how being black and gay was like having two strikes.

“Well it was hard being a black person at the university at the time. I think as far as the university at that time…they didn’t know that I was a black gay person…or at least I didn’t think they knew. So I would have been…it would have been harder to be both black and gay….

J. Robby Gregg describes how campus had a “what happens in the club, stays in the club” attitude.

“And it was one of those times…it was interesting because the people at that time—it was 82 or 83—it just wasn’t really talked about. If there were people you saw at the club…but yet you wouldn’t really acknowledge each other…it was very…it was like you were living on a private island though…and when I ran…

Podcast: Will Daniel explains how the university seemed to exile the students that they were uncomfortable with.

“I lived on campus the first 2 years and the second year I lived in Huffman house, which I don’t know if it still exists…[Interviewer: It does.] It does, well, okay so theme housing for diversity but you know of these sort of gleek variety [laughter] these sorts of weird misfit variety and although, actually,…

Podcast: Kenneth Badgett reflects on the racist undertones displayed by certain fraternities.

“I always felt safe here. I never felt unsafe, and there were the, of course, you had the Kappa Alphas. I don’t think they still fly their rebel flags, but they used to stick them out the windows, and Taylor House, I think, is across from Kitchen on the quad, but they would have their…

Podcast: Tré Easton Reflects on Being a Gay Person of Color

“No one can fully appreciate you know what it’s like to be a person, a gay person of color and whatever you know you’re happening to deal with or whatever person you’re happening to talk to you have to sort of either play down or play up a piece of your identity and I just…

Drew Droege: Being ‘Out’ on Campus in the 90s

“Almost nobody was out…. when we were there at Wake, we were all kinda not really much of anything. And um, and we all… I think there was a certain safety in that. There were only about three or four “out” gay friends of ours in the department…. it wasn’t like we felt repressed or…