Brooks Fund history project, ca. 1932-2011 (bulk 1950-2010)
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organization: Housed by format: transcripts, video interviews, supplemental materials; Arrangement: Alphabetical by last name of interviewee.

Digital video files and DVDs are identified by the project abbreviation: "BFHP" which serves as a prefix. Arranged thereunder alphabetically by the last name of the interviewee.

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library

Interviewees include: Ron Bicknese; Ted Binkley; Aleshia Brevard; Thomas D. Brown, Jr.; Olen Bryant; Linda Gayle Compton; Gail DuBois; Jim Eakes; John Egerton; Libby Hamlin; "Lou"; Ann Mason; Jeremiah "Jere" Mitchum; Christine Modisher; Glenn Montgomery; April Mullins; Doyle Newburry; K. C. Potter; Mary Margaret "Marty" Ravoira; Dr. Henry W. Foster, Jr.; John Seigenthaler; Steve Sirls; Bobbie Fred Smith; Paul Stephens; Dorothy Stockard; Lee Storey.

In library use only. Available by appointment

Access to digital files of non-interview content is restricted to staff access only. Patrons must use hard-copy printouts.

Under the terms of the donation, all researchers must agree to special terms of access and use as established by the Brooks Fund by completing a form which appears at the back of the finding aid. The core of this statement reads: "The Brooks Fund History Project was compiled to provide education to support bridges of understanding and to prevent disconnection between the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and larger communities. The Collection may be used by researchers, educators, and individuals for these purposes. The Collection contains personal and sensitive information that may be harmful or hurtful to individuals if misused, mischaracterized or taken out of context, and any use of the Collection for these purposes is prohibited."

Abstract: Digital video recordings of interviews focusing on individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or transsexual and who were present in Middle Tennessee before 1970. Many interviews are supplemented with scans of photographs, documents, and other materials contributed by the interviewee.

Scope and Content: The Brooks Fund History Project consists of a total of 28 video interviews, containing more than 45 hours of content, recorded between 2007 and 2011. Interviewees include gay men, lesbians, a transsexual female, and a transgender female. Four heterosexual individuals were interviewed to provide context about interactions between the heterosexual and homosexual communities and their perceptions of each other. Three interviews were conducted as couples interviews, and one interview is with a group of four individuals giving their recollections of Nashville gay bars from about the 1950s through the 1980s. The age of interviewees at the time of recording ranged from 63 years old to 85 years old. Most are college educated and identify as Caucasian. Many have advanced degrees or served in the military. Many participants provided various supplemental materials, usually consisting of photographs and documents, generally covering the time period of 1950 to 2008.

Major topics of the interviews include: family background; childhood and school; adolescence; gender roles and expectations; dating (both heterosexual and same-sex); college; military service; religious upbringing and present-day religious beliefs; being confused by or "hiding" their sexual identity; discrimination and prejudice; gay bars in Nashville and occasionally other cities; drag shows and performers; house parties; police raids on bars or parks and consequences if caught; abuse, violence, and trauma; slang and terminology; "cruising" or seeking meetups for casual sex; the experience of "coming out" or telling others or being open about their sexual identity; and risks and consequences of being open about one's sexuality. In all cases, people discuss their relationships of all types with family, extended family, friends, neighbors, schoolmates, teachers, co-workers and supervisors, with the church and organized religion or religious leaders and ministers, and with lovers, casual sexual partners, and long term relationships. Some tell about particular legal difficulties in a time prior to the nationwide recognition of gay marriage.

Numerous individuals recall gay bars in Nashville, including: the Jungle; Juanita's; the Other Side; the Watch Your Hat and Coat Saloon; Ralph's; the CC Club; and the Women's Room.

Other topics not directly related to homosexual life or experiences include family histories, including grandparents or earlier generations; liquor-by-the-drink; drug and alcohol use and abuse; music and musicians; sports (especially for women); occupations; education; family relationships; neighborhoods; Vanderbilt University and Peabody College. Some women talk about restrictive limitations and family or societal expectations placed on them, such as housework, limited job opportunities, and proper behavior.

Content Notice: Researchers are advised that some interviews contain content that may be disturbing or traumatic in nature. Please see finding aid for more details.

Cite as: [individual participant], Brooks Fund History Project, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

System requirements for sound discs: computer with CD drive and MP3 capable software

This material is protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

Any request to reproduce or use content must follow standard Special Collections procedures, including forms, fees and authorization by Special Collections Division.

Individual restrictions: Aleshia Brevard - reproduction of any supplemental materials, for any purpose including fair use or off-site patron access, is prohibited. Items may only be viewed on-site at the Special Collections Division. See finding aid for full details.

Individual restrictions: Janis Ian retains all copyright to her songs and performances appearing in the Marty Ravoira interview. See finding aid for full details.

Individual restrictions: "Lou"'s interview is available as a transcript only. He must be referred to by his pseudonym.

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; Gift; 2015. Acc. 2015.012

Associated Materials: The Olen Littleton Bryant Papers are housed at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

The H. Franklin Brooks Philanthropic Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee was established in 1995 for the purpose of encouraging "the inclusion, acceptance and recognition of Middle Tennessee's lesbian and gay citizens" and to help build bridges between the LGBT community and the community-at-large. The Brooks Fund History Project was initiated in 2008, concentrating on interviewing members of the LGBT community who were 30 years old or older before 1969, and who had lived in Middle Tennessee for at least ten years prior to that.

In English

Finding aid available online and in repository; folder level control. https://catalog.library.nashville.org/Record/CARL0001066742/DownloadSupplementalFile?fileId=183

Multiple donors contributed to this project. Original donor and interview agreements were executed between individual participants and representatives of the Brooks Fund. The materails were donated by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to the Nashville Public Library in 2015

process; 2023-2025; Linda Barnickel, Kathleen Feduccia, Cindy Gadley

process; 2017; Kyle Welch, intern

process; 2016; Ryan Darrow

One restricted item remains in the custody of the Brooks Fund and will be donated to the Special Collections Division at a future date as previously arranged by the participant.

Book jacket image digital identifier: NewburryD - Picture 01