Trans Rochester Speaks digital files

Collection

Identifier: RITSpec-0009

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Trans Rochester Speaks collection contains oral histories, photographs, papers, clippings, and timelines related to Ben Eshelman's project on the history of transgender people in Rochester.

Culminating in the website, Trans Rochester Speaks (https://www.rit.edu/cla/transrochesterspeaks/) Eshelman celebrates the history of Rochester's transgender community by drawing together the voices of trans activists and advocates in a series of oral history interviews. Topics covered include finding community, transitioning in the workplace, health care, political involvement, transparenthood, and visibility.

Files include approximately 30 jpgs of columns called "Frankenstein In Drag" and "Over The Rainbow" by Renee Joy Hughson from the Empty Closet publication, and other clipped articles from the 1970's and 80's, an archive of Empty Closet which appears to be a timeline from 1971 - 2011 of highlighted events surrounding LGBTQ population in Rochester, NY., digital photographs of a trans equality event and much more.

Dates

2014-2015

Creator

Ben, Eshelman (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Ben Eshelman is an RIT graduate and Wolf Scholar. While attending RIT he researched Rochester's transgender history and worked at RIT's Q Center.

From his LinkedIn page: "I am a historian, advocate, and designer with one simple goal: educate the world. After graduation, I want to continue developing programs for LGBTQIA+ resource centers and contributing to our understanding of queer history.

By developing an individualized degree program at the Rochester Institute of Technology, I have gained a unique foundation of History, Women’s & Gender Studies, and Graphic Design. These diverse fields have given me the skills to understand complex social issues and share that knowledge through visual media.

Outside of the classroom, I have been able to exercise these skills as program coordinator at the RIT Q Center and as a research assistant at the RIT Department of History. In both departments, I employed design and research skills to develop educational resources and programming, many of which are now being used across the RIT campus and beyond.

In my work, I value creativity, collaboration, and constant improvement. I love connecting with people and audiences. By utilizing my unique set of skills, I am eager to continue learning, empowering others, and ultimately, making the world a better place."

Extent

5454 Digital File(s)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Materials related to the Trans Rochester Speaks project of Ben Eshelman. Trans Rochester Speaks was a project to celebrate the history of Rochester's transgender community. The collection includes oral history interviews, photographs, and other resources related to the project.

Arrangement

The collection is divided into two series: Trans Oral History Project, and Trans Rochester Speaks. The Trans Oral History Project series is then divided into clippings, profiles, and materials from individual contributors. The Trans Rochester Speaks series is then divided into introduction, people, topics, timeline, impressions, glossary, and resources.