Out in the South

Tidewater Queer History Project

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.

Episodes

  1. Apr 9

    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.

  2. Feb 24

    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**

  • 2 Episodes

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Tidewater Queer History Project
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    Out in the South