This Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Oral History Project began as a key component of a cross-listed Boise State University course, Intro to LGBTQ Studies (GEN 380, HIS 381, SOC 497). Dr. Riley Caldwell-O'Keefe taught the course and designed the project as an interactive learning tool to help students understand LGBTQ history, with special emphasis on Idaho history, and the impacts of this history on local individuals. In addition to this history and context, students learned interviewing techniques throughout the semester. We discussed ethical considerations and obtained Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for the project. Throughout the process, we worked with Boise State Special Collections librarians, Alan Virta and Cheryl Oestreicher. The culmination and digital release of the collection would have been impossible without them. We are thrilled and honored to offer these first-person insights which help provide a more well-rounded and comprehensive story of Idaho history.
Idaho LGBTQ Oral History Project Part 2 is a continuation of Dr. Riley Caldwell-O'Keefe's 2011 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Oral History Project. Beginning in 2020, Dr. Lisa McClain, Professor, History Department and Gender Studies Program, and graduate and undergraduate BSU students began to collect more histories of LGBTQ+ Idahoans to help provide a more well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the experiences and contributions of people who are LGBTQ+ to Idaho history. The way we have written Idaho history has codified into cultural memory the usually implicit beliefs that not only were straight, cis-gendered people the ones who successfully settled and contributed to the success of Idaho but that such individuals were the only ones present who could or should have. Such beliefs have lasting impacts in the present day, in terms of who is entitled to occupy and shape public spaces, share in the full benefits of citizenship, and represent/lead the citizenry in institutions such as the state legislature and houses of worship.
The Idaho LGBTQ Oral History Project collection consists of 30 oral histories conducted by Boise State University students under the direction of of Dr. Riley Caldwell-O'Keefe.
The Idaho LGBTQ Oral History Project Part 2 consists of 15 oral histories conducted by Dr. Lisa McClain and undergraduate and graduate students.
Topics described in the interviews include: ACLU, Pride parade, The Triangle Connection, Nicole LeFavour, Brian Bergquist, The Balcony, AIDS, gay marriage, hate crimes, "Don't Ask/Don't Tell", Add the Words, religion, education, a.l.p.h.a., Prop 8, parenting, family planning, Ellen DeGeneres, suicide, gender reassignment, drag kings, drag queens, coming out, "It Gets Better" campaign, Title IX, Stonewall, human rights, sperm donor, Boys of Boise, Catholic religion, Kinsey Scale, conversion therapies, athletics/sports, homophobia, Idaho Safe Schools Coalition, Brian Fisher, anti-gay, Your Friends Family and Neighbors, marriage equality, military, spirituality, No On One campaign, internet, Shuckey's, family, Matthew Shepard, The Community Center, gender equality, Flying M, Mormonism, queer identity, bisexuality, sexism, language, queer culture, marginalization, AIDS, advocacy, religious freedom, polygamy, Trans Joy Boise.
Available online:
Collection is available for research. Access online:
Donated by Dr. Riley Caldwell-O'Keefe in 2014. Part 2 donated by Dr. Lisa McClain in 2025.
Collection is available online:
[item description], Idaho LGBTQ Oral History Project, Boise State University Special Collections and Archives.