Born in Baltimore County, Andre Powell is a long-standing activist in the Maryland and DC communities. In this interview, he shares the ways in which he found community as a gay youth in the 70s and 80s, his struggles in establishing the first gay student organizations at Essex County College and Towson University, and his long history with activism in and around Maryland. Between these he details the friendships and close relationships he has fostered over the decades, his participation in an LGBTQ choir and love for music, and his current work helping an ex-boyfriend and long-time-friend with the revival of his band Lavender Country, who released the first recorded gay country album in the world.

Dr. Jamie Washington is a healer in all capacities. Born into a working class family in Philadelphia, he also spent many of his formative years in South Carolina during the summers. At a young age he developed a love for music which coupled with his family’s weekly attendance in church. Throughout his teens, Dr. Washington struggled with a tension between his faith and sexuality, believing it to be his personal sin. Dr. Washington eventually moved to Baltimore and enjoyed the affirming presence of black queer and black church spaces. He was ultimately led to become a preacher when he felt God calling him to serve as an openly gay man. Today, Dr. Washington’s Black, queer, and Christian identities continue to shape the love and justice ethics he practices in his work.

Keyanna Monae Devoreaux -Vorhees is a trans activist and advocate within the city of Baltimore and the surrounding DMV areas. In her oral history, Keyanna speaks about her experiences with foster care, sex work, and the ballroom scenes of the DMV area as she address how the intergenerational connections between the LGBTQ and trans communities have shaped her life. After being diagnosed with HIV ten days after her sixteenth birthday, Keyanna moved to the DMV area and eventually Baltimore in search of something better for herself. She goes on to discuss her current activism roles with Free State Justice and the Baltimore Safe Haven, and concludes with her hopes for the future.

Eric Larry Jenkins Jr., also known as Enrique St. Laurent, is a Black, gay man born and raised in Baltimore, MD. Beginning when he was a young boy, Eric pushed himself to be the best in every aspect of his life. Eric discusses in this interview what it was like to have tight-knit family support growing up during a time when there were not many community resources for LGBTQ members. Eric describes the passing of his father when he was just 9-years-old and having to become another caretaker for his siblings and mother as they grieved. He explains how the relationship with his mother, a ballroom icon of the House of Ebony, led to Eric’s early confidence in his identity as a gay man. He describes how the challenges of an emotionally abusive step-father caused him to run away often as a child. These experiences led to the formation of Eric’s vibrant personality, calling him to his current role as an active member and mentor of the ballroom community.

Taylor is a Black, genderqueer and non-binary Baltimore native. Growing up, Taylor struggled with their mental health and unfortunately was not afforded safe spaces to explore and express their sexual or gender identities. It was not until college that Taylor was able to fully begin embracing himself, which was both affirming and placed Taylor in a more vulnerable position while living and maneuvering throughout Baltimore. In this interview, Taylor shares stories of meaningful relationships, spaces, and organizations in Baltimore that have empowered them to be able to live authentically. He discusses how Drag, and the community within it, has become a central aspect of his life. Taylor also reveals a pattern of initiative throughout their life to leave their community safer and more accepting of LGBTQIA+ life than they found it, most recently through his activism and other content on social media platforms.

Lilian Elizabeth Amaya is a first-generation American who identifies as a lesbian and currently lives in Baltimore City, Maryland. Lilian is currently the Coordinator of Community Health and Outreach for Healthcare for the Homeless, an organization that provides comprehensive health care services and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness and advocates for affordable housing and livable incomes for all. She is also currently working toward an Associates Degree in Nursing. Lilian has worked in the service/non-profit field for over 13 years and has also participated in grassroots activism for the LGBTQ+ community.