Oral History Interview: Matt Rightmire (1283)
Loading...
Date
Authors
Advisors
License
DOI
Type
Recording, oral
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Grantor
Abstract
Description
Matt Rightmire speaks of his experience of being gay in the Eau Claire area. He was raised in a small, rural town outside of Eau Claire and although there was a "rural mentality," he says the area is more open-minded than it is given credit. He moved to Eau Claire in 1998 to go to UW-Eau Claire. After coming to Eau Claire, he came out to his parents and he speaks of balancing his sexuality with an conservative family. He also speaks of the supports at UW-Eau Claire. From 2003-2005, Rightmire organized Pride in Eau Claire. He speaks of the events offered and of the struggles of maintaining the event. The LGBTQ Community Center in Eau Claire is struggling to stay afloat and Rightmire speaks of that struggle. As a married gay man with insurance benefits, Rightmire speaks of the movement towards gay acceptance in mainstream society.