Tidewater Queer History Project

Out in the South

History EN ↓ 2 episodes

Ever wondered what life was like for queer people before you? OITS uses oral history interviews, archival audio footage, and the papers left behind by activists and long-gone social groups to chronicle queer life in Southeastern Virginia. Listen as OITS tells the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. OITS is brought to you by the Tidewater Queer History Project.

Author

Tidewater Queer History Project

Episodes

S1E2 - Not Another Gay Newspaper 09.04.2026 22:47

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 an...

S1E1 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner 24.02.2026 29:36

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 In...