LGBTQ Community History
Museum staff worked an advisory committee to select individuals to be interviewed and questions to be asked. While those who were interviewed were quite diverse in their backgrounds and history, most were 60 years of age or older. Former Sioux City Public Museum Curator of History Grace Linden conducted interviews with eight individuals (you may hear Linden's voice on the edited versions); each interview lasted approximately 45 to 90 minutes and followed a series of questions. This project allowed the Museum to focus efforts to collect and preserve LGBTQ oral histories and artifacts. Museum staff believe that it is vital to look to previously underserved communities – we have never focused a project aimed at gathering LGBTQ community stories before. By researching and shining a light on underserved populations, specifically the LGBTQ community, we recognize and hope to share the fact although their stories may have been unknown to the general public previously, these individuals have always been and continue to be important voices in our community history. Sioux City PRIDE Roots was funded by Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The views and opinions expressed by these individuals do not necessarily reflect those of Sioux City Public Museum, Humanities Iowa or the National Endowment for the Humanities. Trigger warning: Some interviews include references to substance abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, the high rates of suicide for LGBTQ people, and and intense language. Listener discretion is advised.
Jeanne Calhoun was born at St. Vincents Hospital in 1952 (named after a nun at the hospital). She attended St. Josephs Elementary School and Heelan High School. She also attended Nettleton Business Training, Briar Cliff and WIT. In 1981 she and her partner Sue Emmons opened Rowdies Lounge, located at 4th and Iowa Streets, Sioux City’s first gay bar. Within a few months, it became known as a place where gay and lesbian individuals were welcomed and it remained open until 1990. PLAY INTERVIEW
Connie Jones was born in 1956 in Cherokee, Iowa. She attended Alta Community School (all grades) and Dana College, where she graduated with a degree in Fine Arts and Commercial Arts. After college, Connie lived in Alta, IA for five years before moving to Sioux City in 1983. She currently owns a sandblast art and design business and also does freelance work covering a variety of digital disciplines. Connie lives in Sioux City with Brenda, her partner of 29 (and legal spouse of 10) years.
Tim Orwig was born in 1959 and grew up in rural Northwest Iowa. He attended Kindergarten – 7th grade at West Bend-Rodman School, 8th – 10th at Rolfe Community School District and 11-12th at Sioux City’s West High. Orwig attended Morningside College, graduating in 1980 and then completed a Masters of English Language and Literature at the University of Arkansas in 1982. From 1985 – 1999 Orwig worked at Morningside College in a variety of positions. In 1999 he moved to Wooster, Massachusetts. He completed a degree in Preservation Studies in 2001 at Boston University and in 2010 received his Ph.D. in American/New England Studies at Boston University. He married Alan Hesse (also from Sioux City) in 2004 and they have one son.
Michael Scott was born in Sioux City in 1945 and grew up in Sioux City with six siblings. He attended Immaculate Conception School and later Heelan High School. Scott earned degrees from Loras College in Dubuque, IA: and Creighton University in Omaha NE. He also was educated at Loyola University in Chicago, IL; St. Bernards Seminary in Dubuque, IA, St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, CO, the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA, United States International University and National University in San Diego, CA. He has degrees in English, Theology, Philosophy, and Counseling Psychology. Michael served as a priest for nine years in the Diocese of Sioux City. He co-founded Dignity Siouxland, a local chapter of Dignity USA which was a lay movement of LGBT Catholics. Dignity Siouxland served as a beacon of hope to both out and closeted LGBT individuals and their families. Scott moved to San Diego in 1979 where he still lives with his spouse, Paul. Michael works as a licensed psychotherapist specializing in marriage and family for over 30 years. PLAY INTERVIEW
Vicky Whitmore was born in 1959 in Sioux City, Iowa. Whitmore had seven siblings and spent most of her childhood in foster care, left school in the 9th grade and later completed her GED. Born as Richard Bling Whitmore, Vicky transitioned from Rick to Vicky in 2005. Vicky has spent 20 years in recovery and now operates a sober living house for women transitioning from prison.
The interviews in their entirety are available upon request. |