Out in the South

S1E2 - Not Another Gay Newspaper

When it published its last issue in 1998, Our Own Community Press was one of the longest running gay publications in the nation. Learn how the paper grew from a modest one page newsletter to an established, highly regarded newspaper in just a few years. Our Own united the LGBTQ community of Tidewater and provided positive visibility in the media. This is part one of a short series about Our Own and covers the early years of the paper and its impacts.   In this episode: 00:00 Intro 03:07 UUGC Recap (Listen to episode 1 for the full story!) 04:36 Our Own’s Early Days 05:50 Why are gay publications so important? 11:09 The humble production of Our Own 13:39 Growing paper, growing costs 16:50 Features of the paper 21:05 Tensions within the paper and a preview of part 2 21:44 Credits Out in the South is brought to you by the Tidewater Queer History Project, a community/academic partnership dedicated to collecting and preserving LGBTQ history in and around Hampton Roads, Virginia. Please listen, subscribe, and rate our show on your chosen podcast platform.  For more information and to stay up to date with us, follow the Tidewater Queer History Project on Facebook or on Instagram @tidewaterqueer, or email us at  tidewaterqueerhistoryproject@gmail.com [tidewaterqueerhistoryproject@gmail.com].

S1E1 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Meet the group that invigorated LGBTQ+ organizing in Tidewater, Virginia. The Unitarian Universalist Gay Caucus of Norfolk formed 50 years ago in 1976, but its lasting impact on queer activism can still be felt today. Projects initiated by the UUGC include the long-running gay newspaper Our Own Community Press and the Gay Information Line, a hotline staffed by volunteers. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 02:00 Tidewater, VA and gay interactions with the military 04:20 How the UUGC got started, the inaugural spaghetti dinner 09:12 Our Own Community Press is born! 11:32 UUGC social events and goings-on 15:21 Stepping into activism 21:33 The UUGC vs the Virginia Beach Public Library 24:03 Tensions with the Unitarian Church 25:55 The legacy of the UUGC 28:34 Credits Out in the South is brought to you by the Tidewater Queer History Project, a community/academic partnership dedicated to collecting and preserving LGBTQ history in and around Hampton Roads, Virginia. Please listen, subscribe, and rate our show on your chosen listening platform.  For more information and to stay up to date with us, follow the Tidewater Queer History Project on Facebook, on Instagram @tidewaterqueer, or email us at  tidewaterqueerhistoryproject@gmail.com [tidewaterqueerhistoryproject@gmail.com]**