LGBTQ+ Experiences
Project Purpose
This project set out to collect Oral Histories and explore the following question: How has being a member of the LGBTQ+ community and an active proponent in the gay rights movement shaped participants’ experiences as members of the St. Petersburg and Gulf Beaches community?
Countless unique experiences have contributed to the collective history of the LGBTQ+ community in Pinellas County, and their in-group knowledge has not been given nuanced attention by most historians. The contributions of this project are beginning to fill this gap in the historical documentation of the full range of Gulf Beaches residents and community members, while also providing insights into larger social patterns of inclusion and prejudice. As the project grows over the coming years to encompass a wider, more diverse range of oral history participants, the hope is that these themes will become increasingly self-evident. Until this collection is robust enough to speak for itself, future generations of Honors College students will continue to collect Oral Histories throughout the community and develop a platform for these voices to be heard.
Oral Histories
Kim Costanzo
Gay Bar Owner, Special Education TeacherKim Costanzo met with us to discuss her experiences within the LGBTQ+ Gulf Beaches community as well as her experiences as a local bar owner in the community. Kim and her partner, Rosemary, faced many challenges in running “The Lighted Tree,” including obstacles set in their way by local authorities and some trouble with local community businesses and members. Kim details one of the biggest challenges she faced while owning a gay bar: the (still) unsolved arson of “The Lighted Tree.” Kim also describes her current involvement and efforts in the Gulf Beaches community. She talks in detail about her non-profit organization for adults with intellectual abilities called, ProjectFREE. Kim explains that she has always felt herself to be an advocate for others. Although her advocacy efforts began in the 80s among the LGBTQ+ community, she now has extended that same advocacy to this group who also needs more of a voice.
JIM RONEY
Elementary Education TeacherJim came to the University of South Florida when he was 18 years old, earned his Bachelor’s degree and has lived mostly in Hillsborough county ever since. He is a former elementary school teacher of 40 years and LGBTQ+ community member of the Gulf Beaches. As a 30 year member of the social organization, “The Wilderness Club,” Jim has had much support and many experiences within the LGBTQ+ community around the Gulf Beaches. He frequented locations such as “The Lighted Tree” and “Bedrox” gay bars, owned by fellow LGBTQ+ member Kim Costanzo, and the “Pass-a-Grille Beach Hotel.”
When Jim’s first partner found out they had AIDS, Jim sought support through the Tampa AIDS Network and became involved in a local “Family, Friends and Lovers” support group. Even after the unfortunate passing of his partner, Jim remained so involved in the support group that he eventually took over leading the group for about a year after the former leader had moved. Jim also experienced the wonderful care and services provided in the AIDS ward of Tampa General Hospital while his partner was sick, describing the ward as very respectful. During the peak of the AIDS epidemic, Jim also was a member of the Metropolitan Community Church where he conducted outreach to people with AIDS.
Jim is now happily married to his husband of two years. Since retiring in 2015, Jim and his husband have been enjoying traveling and working on their bucket list together. He remains very involved in the community, including LGBTQ+ organizations such as PFLAG and a local gay democrats group.
Photographs from Jim Roney's Personal Collection
Pride celebration at the University of Tampa in the early '90's
Jim at GayDays at Disney in the mid '90's
Jim attending the AIDS Memorial Quilt display in Washington, DC in 1998
Jim attending the Tampa Pride fundraiser held on November 17, 2018 at Zoo Tampa
LINDA FAUCETT
Realtor, St. Pete NativeLinda Faucett met with us to discuss her experience of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the St.Pete Beach area. She is a 2nd-generation native to the area, and only left the area for temporary spans. Linda began the interview by giving us insight into her personal experience of growing up gay. Her family was supportive, with two of her three siblings also part of the LGBTQ+ community. She also discusses how her sexual orientation potentially caused problems in her workplace when she was younger.
Linda also talks about her experience of living through the AIDS epidemic and her efforts to to help those affected. She gives us some insight about the fear and stigma associated with the disease at the time. Next, Linda details the social aspect of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community when she was younger. She discusses her experience at "The Lighted Tree," a local gay bar, and other many other bars in the area, which have since been changed to other businesses.
Linda also goes over her experience as a realtor in the St. Pete Beaches area, particularly how being part of the LGBTQ+ community has affected her career in a positive way. Finally, Linda ends the interview by giving her insight into the future, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. She acknowledges the progress that has been made, but also the many struggles that the community still faces. She concludes the interview by advising us to stand by our views, and be proud of who we are and to be a good person.
Photographs from Linda Faucett's Personal Collection
The Faucett children ('80s) - Linda, Jim, Tom, Kim
Jonda, Linda, and Tom in front of Bedroxx on Sunset Beach ('90s). Jonda (deceased) was Linda's partner at the time.
Linda and Suzy at the Suncoast Resort, a gay hotel, restaurant and bar in the early 2000s. Linda and Suzy have been together for 18 years.
Faucett Family, 2004
Faucett Children (Kim, Tom, Linda, Jim), 2004
Jerry Notaro
Originally from Indiana, Jerry Notaro came to Florida in 1988 and worked as both Media Librarian and Reference Librarian at the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library on the St. Petersburg campus of University of Florida. Before retirement, he served the role of Acting Dean at the USFSP campus. He has had 26 years of experience working at USF library. He is an activist in the LGBTQ+ community and played an active role in preserving an LGBTQ+ archive at Nelson Poynter Library.
Jerry Notaro sat down with us to discuss his intersecting experiences as member of the LGBTQ+ community, St. Petersburg community, and faculty at University of South Florida. In the interview, Jerry compared and contrasted the LGBT climates in St. Petersburg with other states he has experienced, notably Indiana and New York. Originally from Indiana, he grew up in a generally homophobic society and it was not until he moved to Florida in 1988 that he found a place that was much more accepting of people who identified as LGBT. Jerry also shared his observations of the evolution of the social and political climate in Florida surrounding the queer community. A decade ago, although Tampa and St. Pete were more popular for gays and lesbians, the people were still not yet comfortable expressing their sexual orientation like today. Jerry wishes that in the future, members of LGBTQ become the "norm" and that people are more comfortable in discussing and expressing their identity without fear of being judged. One contributing factor in achieving this standard is documenting all events related to the LGBTQ community. In fact, there is an archive in one of the USF libraries that holds newspaper clippings, photographs, and other artifacts of LGBTQ activism. As a librarian, Jerry wants to share the importance of keeping a record of these stories and experiences. Back in the day, people were hesitant to document or write down LGBTQ experiences for fear of public discrimination. However, times have changed drastically and more people are implementing social media and technology to share LGBTQ stories and support. Jerry has strong advice for future generations dealing with the discrimination: never get too comfortable because things can turn around quickly. As quickly as one can earn their rights, they can get them taken away. Jerry says people have to vote, stay politically active and aware, and speak out.
Please click here to access the transcript for this local history.
Greg Stemm
Greg Stemm is currently a resident of Gulfport, FL. Greg moved to Pinellas county in 1983 and will have lived here for 35 years this coming July. Greg is one of the founders of St. Pete Pride and served as Chairman of the Pride Parade for the first two years and once again in 2005. He is also a writer for Watermark, a publication that serves the LGBTQ+ community of Central Florida.
Our conversation with Greg began with a personal history of his self-discovery and how he found his identity in and around the area of St. Pete Beach. Greg also discusses his extensive involvement in the LGBTQ+ community and uses a few personal examples to help illustrate his experience. Because of the nature of these histories, it would be best if they be heard from Greg directly, and in his own words.
Please click here to access the transcript for this oral history.
Rick Nale
Rick Nale was born in Harrisburg, Pa and is now a resident of St. Petersburg, FL. Rick has been an active member of the LGBTQ+ community, since he was 17. He has been involved in the Gay Activists Alliance, Radical Queens and Giovanni’s book store among other activist movements outside of the community including March for Our Lives and The Women’s March. Some of his efforts to further LGBTQ+ rights have been preserved in the William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia. He continues to fight for the rights of others while currently running his own business.
In this interview, Rick Nale discussed how places and people not only change communities but make communities what they are. Rick's personal narrative emphasized the importance of understanding people as complex individuals that cannot be defined by just one part of their identity. He discussed how focusing on the full humanity of an individual, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, is an empowering strategy for activists, and a transformative practice for communities.
Please click here to access the transcript for this local history.
Photographs from Rick Nale's personal collection:
Rick Nale and Tommy Avicoli (circa 1973) Philadelphia, Pa
A Young Rick Nale at The Lighted Tree
Michael-customer at The Lighted Tree, Rick Nale and Lance (Bartender)
Bill Hertenlehner (Manager/Owner)
A softball team, enjoying a win, at the bar.
Frank Moscato (Owner-right side)
Terry Hunsberger (Bartender) & Joanne Van Den Heuvel (Bartender)
Jim Pagel (Bartender) and Nancy Weaver (Bartender)
Jim Pagel
James Pagel, also known as Jim, has worked as a paralegal for the last 27 years and was once a bartender at the Lighted Tree on St. Petersburg beach. He moved between Atlanta and St. Louis during the mid 1980s for a bar venture but always found his way back to Pass-A-Grille. He is an activist in his community and is proud of his roots.
Our conversation with Jim Pagel focused on the changes in the LGBTQ+ experience and community on the Gulf Beaches from the 1980s to the present. Pagel describes how, in the 1980s, AIDS was not fully understood and created a lot of misconceptions and prejudice toward the LGBTQ+ community. Thanks to better education, scientific advancements, and social activism, Jim explained that the present status for people "coming out" is much better than it was for him as a young person. He also believes that there still are struggles for the LGBTQ+, but the best way to make progress is to educate people.
Please click here to access the transcript for this oral history.
Share your Story
This team is dedicated to including as many Oral Histories as possible. Please contact us for more information about how you can get involved: cjwilkins@honors.usf.edu