Interview with James W. Dinkle, December 1, 2017

Interview Summary

Dinkle talks about his experience of discovering his sexuality and coming out. He talks about how he was affected by living in a conservative environment, and an attempt to create an LGBT organization on the University of Kentucky campus in the early 1980s. Dinkle talks about his role at the University of Kentucky as the Student Body President and a student member of the Board of Trustees. He talks about places in Lexington, Kentucky that he felt were accepting of LGBTQ people, as well as the fears he felt about coming out. He talks about various aspects of his family life, including how they were impacted by the AIDS epidemic. He talks about how society's opinions have changed regarding LGBTQ people since his childhood.

Interview Keyword

Student body presidents Board of Trustees AIDS (Disease) HIV infections

Interview LC Subject

Sexual minorities--Identity. Gays--Identity. Gay men--Identity. Coming out (Sexual orientation) Lexington (Ky.). Sexual minority students. College students--Social conditions College environment College student government Homosexuality--Social aspects. Gay community Sexual minorities. Gay rights. College administrators University of Kentucky Families Universities and colleges--Administration College campuses

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.