The Outwords Archive

QUEER HISTORY LIVES HERE. Our Story. Forever.

Queer History Lives Here. Our Story. Forever.

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Collage of eight diverse individuals with color overlays in shades of red, purple, and pink. Top row from left to right: Person with a knitted cap and dreadlocks; individual with glasses looking aside; smiling person with curly hair and glasses; older person with high-collared jacket looking to the side. Bottom row from left to right: Person with dramatic makeup and blonde wig looking upward; individual with long straight hair staring at the camera; person in a white hat and bow tie smiling at the camera; person with long gray hair and glasses smiling at the camera.

OUTWORDS captures, preserves, and shares the stories of LGBTQIA2S+ elders, to build community and catalyze social change.

MILESTONES IN QUEER HISTORY

Introducing below a selection of our interviews featuring major events in LGBTQIA2S+ history, from the elders who were there.

1969 Stonewall Riots

After one too many police raids, queer bar patrons fought back—and the modern-day LGBTQ+ civil rights movement was launched.

1993 March on Washington

A million LGBT+ people gathered in our nation’s capital, with bisexual people claiming increased visibility and strength.

Marriage Equality

From a little-known 1971 lawsuit to Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the long and winding road to marriage equality.

More Curated Content

Browse Our Interviews By Category.

LGBTQ+ Identities

Looking for stories from the ’tentpole’ letters in our ever-expanding community acronym? Begin your exploration here.

Race / Ethnicities

Explore the kaleidoscope of ethnic, racial, and cultural identities that make up the queer community.

LGBTQ+ Topics

Coming out stories, gender identity journeys, lesbian separatism, kink, and so much more.

General Topics

Stories relating to fields of study, special interests, and points of intersectionality.

LGBTQ+ History

Two steps forward, one step back: milestone events in our community’s historic journey of claiming our rights and our space.

LGBTQ+ Groups

Dive deep into some of the major organizations that make us who we are.

Getting Started With OUTWORDS

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Short Interview Videos

Thomi Clinton, CEO and Founder of the Transgender Health & Wellness Centers in the Coachella Valley, tells her story from Mountainburg, AR to a community leader in Southern California. Additionally, she addresses the complications of equity for trans communities within LGBTQ+ population, as well as within larger society. DP: Raym Ramos Editor: Astra Price OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partnered with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

Thomi Clinton, CEO and Founder of the Transgender Health & Wellness Centers in the Coachella Valley, tells her story from Mountainburg, AR to a community leader in Southern California. Additionally, she addresses the complications of equity for trans communities within LGBTQ+ population, as well as within larger society.

DP: Raym Ramos
Editor: Astra Price

OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partnered with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

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Thomi Clinton: "Pushing Out Space"

Ceyenne Doroshow, founder of G.L.I.T.S. (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society), discusses her work in the ongoing struggle to ensure that trans individuals are not tokenized and have ownership of their lives and futures. Featuring excerpts from Ceyenne's oral history interview (recorded remotely during the pandemic), this video focuses on the work it takes to lift everyone up together. Ceyenne Doroshow's full interview can be found at The Outwords Archive: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/interview/ceyenne-doroshow/ DP: Raym Ramos Editor: Astra Price OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partnered with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

Ceyenne Doroshow, founder of G.L.I.T.S. (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society), discusses her work in the ongoing struggle to ensure that trans individuals are not tokenized and have ownership of their lives and futures. Featuring excerpts from Ceyenne's oral history interview (recorded remotely during the pandemic), this video focuses on the work it takes to lift everyone up together.

Ceyenne Doroshow's full interview can be found at The Outwords Archive: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/interview/ceyenne-doroshow/

DP: Raym Ramos
Editor: Astra Price

OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partnered with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

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Black trans activist Ceyenne Doroshow: "A Position of Authority"

Artist Joey Terrill discusses the impact of the intersectionality of his Chicano identity and queer identity in the context of his understanding of himself and his artistic practice. DP: Andrew Lush Editor: Matthew Sorgie OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partner with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

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Chicano artist Joey Terrill: "Warts and All"

PFLAG mom, LGBTQ+ ally, educator, and author Marsha Aizumi reflects on the long and "messy" road to finding her voice, supporting her son, and standing up for trans kids everywhere. DP: Raym Ramos Editor: Astra Price OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partnered with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

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Trans ally and PFLAG mom Marsha Aizumi: "Deeper Connections"

Motivational speaker and Trans Equality advocate, Charley Burton, shares his journey in finding his way to health, stability, and success after an early life filled with addiction and depression. Technical Director: Juan Raymundo Ramos Editor: Astra Price OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partner with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

Motivational speaker and Trans Equality advocate, Charley Burton, shares his journey in finding his way to health, stability, and success after an early life filled with addiction and depression.

Technical Director: Juan Raym Ramos
Editor: Astra Price

OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partner with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

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YouTube Video UEw1cU5ENEx4Rm5BX3JrOHFuWnk3RDV1Wk1CTTN6aUVpZC5BNzdEQzY0REQzQTEyN0U3

Trans author Charley Burton: "This Is Who I Am"

Artist and Indigenous language advocate L. Frank (pronoun: pó) describes pó connection to the place that pó was born, through pó connection to pó Indigenous ancestors and artistic practice. Frank also discusses pó relationship to the term two-spirit and other gender-expansive terminology. [Editor’s Note: L. Frank’s pronoun is pó from the Tongva language, conveying two-spirit and Indigenous identity nuances the English language cannot.] DP: Raym Ramos Editor: Astra Price OUTWORDS is the first-ever national project to record the stories of LGBTQ+ elders across the United States. We share our full catalog of interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, completely free of charge, on our website. We also have a book of interviews, called “The Book of Pride”. We partner with Flipgrid to share our stories with students and teachers around the globe; offer a wide range of webinars on timely LGBTQ+ topics and issues; and provide paid DEI consulting services to companies and organizations like Microsoft, AARP, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Visit us and sign up for our newsletter today at theoutwordsarchive.org.

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Two-spirit artist L. Frank: "Unveiling What Has Already Been There"

Social Media Videos

While the U.S. once represented freedom for those that came to its shores, that ideal is being challenged every day by the harmful immigration policies that are pervading our current moment. Psychotherapist, author, and co-founder of Homan Los Angeles, Payam Ghassemlou shares some of his fears and experiences as an immigrant. #ImmigrantStories #LGBTQImmigrants #LGBTQHistory #OralHistory

While the U.S. once represented freedom for those that came to its shores, that ideal is being challenged every day by the harmful immigration policies that are pervading our current moment. Psychotherapist, author, and co-founder of Homan Los Angeles, Payam Ghassemlou shares some of his fears and experiences as an immigrant.

#ImmigrantStories #LGBTQImmigrants #LGBTQHistory #OralHistory

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Payam Ghassemlou shares some of his fears and experiences as an immigrant

It's National Ally Day. Who are the allies in your life? At OUTWORDS we celebrate allies like Marsha Aizumi who challenge conventions to support LGBTQIA+ folks. Her journey to support and celebrate her child reminds us that community is a powerful resource and that change is always possible. #LGBTQAlly #Allies #Allyship #AllyshipIsAVerb

It's National Ally Day. Who are the allies in your life? At OUTWORDS we celebrate allies like Marsha Aizumi who challenge conventions to support LGBTQIA+ folks. Her journey to support and celebrate her child reminds us that community is a powerful resource and that change is always possible.

#LGBTQAlly #Allies #Allyship #AllyshipIsAVerb

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Marsha Aizumi challenges conventions to support LGBTQIA+ folks

Whenever we’re feeling hopeless, we remember the grounding words of Marcus Arana, Holy Old Man Bull: “When you start to feel overwhelmed, get up wherever you are and go some place green. Plant a garden. Grow some flowers. Because when you grow flowers and you grow garden, it's an interesting thing, and it's a lot like social politics. You plant a seed in bare dirt, and you don't see anything, and you love it, and you feed it, and you water it, and soon these little things start to sprout. And after, after so much time, you've got an eight foot plant on your hands. That's miraculous, that's beauty, that's life. And life will find a way to survive.” We had the honor of speaking with Marcus for our new podcast Queering Precedent, hosted by @jackmaccarthywrites and kai alviar horton. Listen to the full podcast at queeringprecedent.org #Podcast #LGBTQ+Podcasts #Two-Spirit #QueeringPrecedent

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Words of Wisdom from Marcus Arana, Hold Old Man Bull

It is bittersweet to announce that our Executive Director, Mason Funk will be stepping down in June 2026. We're taking a moment to reflect on all the work OUTWORDS has done and what it's meant to our community over the last decade. OUTWORDS will continue forward, a bit different, but just as wonderful as ever. Let's also take a moment to celebrate Mason and how thankful we are that he brought the dream of OUTWORDS to life. Feel free to drop a kind word for Mason in the comments! #MovingForward #LGBTQOrganizations #LGBTQHistory #OralHistory #QueerHistory

It is bittersweet to announce that our Executive Director, Mason Funk will be stepping down in June 2026. We're taking a moment to reflect on all the work OUTWORDS has done and what it's meant to our community over the last decade. OUTWORDS will continue forward, a bit different, but just as wonderful as ever. Let's also take a moment to celebrate Mason and how thankful we are that he brought the dream of OUTWORDS to life. Feel free to drop a kind word for Mason in the comments!

#MovingForward #LGBTQOrganizations #LGBTQHistory #OralHistory #QueerHistory

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An important announcement by OUTWORDS' Executive Director Mason Funk

OUTWORDS Editorial Intern, Enzo Perez Alonso, shares their obsession of the month! Enzo is obsessed with Elia Chinó. Born in Michoacán, México, Elia immigrated to Texas in the ‘80s. During her time in Texas—through personal hardship and the onslaught of the AIDS epidemic—she has become a revered health and wellness advocate. You can watch Elia Chinó’s full interview at our website: theoutwordsarchive.org #LGBTQActivism #ImmigrantStories #LGBTQImmigrants #Obsessed #OUTWORDSObsession

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Enzo, OUTWORDS Editorial Intern, shares their obsession with us—Elia Chinó

When it comes to love and most other things, it helps to be open to the possibilities. Performance Artist and Musical Director Tim White Eagle expands on the importance of honoring "the flow". #GoWithTheFlow #QueerElders #ElderAdvice #QueerArchive #LGBTQArtists

When it comes to love and most other things, it helps to be open to the possibilities. Performance Artist and Musical Director Tim White Eagle expands on the importance of honoring "the flow".

#GoWithTheFlow #QueerElders #ElderAdvice #QueerArchive #LGBTQArtists

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Tim White Eagle speaks on honoring "the flow"

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Sponsors

    • THE BOOK OF PRIDE
    LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World

    BY MASON FUNK

    Meet the leaders and activists on the front lines of the LGBTQ movement, from the 1960s to the present, through stunning interviews and compelling black and white photographs compiled and presented by OUTWORDS. The 75 individuals featured in THE BOOK OF PRIDE – including marriage pioneer Evan Wolfson, trans icon Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Stonewall-era rabble-rouser Mark Segal and legendary Anti-DADT activist Grethe Cammermeyer – fought…

    READ MORE