Form Center

2. About the Savannah LGBTQ+ Oral History Project: The main purpose of the Savannah LGBTQ+ Oral History Project is to record the history of Savannah’s LGBTQ+ community, in their own words and their own voices, and to preserve this history in the Municipal Archives where it will be publicly accessible to future generations. The Municipal Archives continually strives to document Savannah’s diverse communities, neighborhoods, and citizens. The addition of histories and voices from the LGBTQ+ community will help ensure that we are preserving a more inclusive, informative, and complete history of Savannah and everyone that makes up Savannah's story.

   What is the Voice Bank: The Voice Bank is an online portal that allows participants in the Municipal Archives' oral history projects to submit written oral histories. It is an alternative for those who do not want to participate in an audio-visual recording but would like to contribute to the project.

   Directions: Please complete the following questions to the best of your ability and comfort level. You may skip any questions you choose not to answer. 

   If you leave the field "What is your name" blank, the Municipal Archives will follow the instructions you provide in the release section regarding your name. You will have the option to restrict public access to your interview for a period of years, if necessary, in the release section.

   When you are finished, complete the release section at the bottom and click "submit."

   Return to project page: https://www.savannahga.gov/3272/29465/LGBTQ-History

   Language Note: If you are trying to use a word that the City system is blocking you from using that is integral to your story, please notify us at Archives@savannahga.gov. 

4. 1. What is your name:

   You may provide your real name, a pseudonym/alternate name, or leave blank (see the release section for more information).

6. 2. In terms of gender and sexuality, how do you self-identify?
8. 3. What are your preferred pronouns?
10. 4. What is your racial and ethnic background?
12. 5. What year were you born?
14. 6. Where were you born and where did you spend your childhood?
16. 7. If you are not originally from Savannah, when did you come here and why? If you no longer live in Savannah, why did you leave?
18. 8. Describe your involvement with the LGBTQ community in Savannah?
20. 9. How would you describe Savannah’s current relationship with the LGBTQ community? Have you witnessed this relationship change over the years, and, if so, in what ways?
22. 10. Are there specific places or organizations in Savannah that you would describe as safe or inclusive for the LGBTQ community? What are they and why?
24. 11. Are there any specific local organizations that have been important in advancing the rights of LGBTQ individuals in Savannah?
26. 12. Do you think Savannah, at this time, would be considered an inclusive community? Why or why not?
28. 13. Who are some of the important leaders in Savannah’s LGBTQ community and what have been their contributions (now or in the past)?
30. 14. Are there specific events or traditions important to Savannah’s LGBTQ community that need to be documented?
32. 15. Are there specific landmarks in Savannah associated with LGBTQ history (businesses, buildings, sites, historical markers, etc.)?
34. 16. Do you recall any pivotal points in time or major events that were turning points in Savannah as it relates to the LGBTQ community, either positively or negatively?
36. 17. Describe the impact of HIV/AIDS on Savannah? Are there specific organizations or individuals that should be acknowledged for their work with AIDS patients?
38. 18. What role do you think race and ethnicity play in the LGBTQ community in Savannah?
40. 19. What role do you think gender and orientation play in the LGBTQ community in Savannah
42. 20. What future do you imagine for Savannah as it relates to the LGBTQ community?
44. 21. What would you say to young LGBTQ people today or those who come along in the future?
46. 22. What does PRIDE mean to you?
48. 23. Anything else you would like to share about the LGBTQ community and/or its history in Savannah?
50. 24. Anything else you would like to share about your personal journey and experiences?

52. Your answers to questions #1-23 above will be made available to the public per your release instructions below.

    RELEASE FORM

    The following responses will not be part of the public collection and are for Municipal Archives’ staff use only:

54. First Name*
55. Middle Name
56. Last Name*
57. Suffix
59. Catalog my oral history under the following name:
    -- Select One --Your real name as listed in the release sectionYour name as listed in the "What is your full name" question [this may be your real name or your selected pseudonym/alternate name]As "Participant #" as assigned by the Municipal Archives

    You can select if your oral history submission is available to the public under your real name, a pseudonym/alternate name you have indicated, or a participant number assigned by Municipal Archives staff.

61. Restrictions placed on opening oral history to research (please check one):*

    1. No restrictions
    2. Closed for research for 5 years
    3. Closed for research for 10 years
    4. Closed for research for 20 years
    5. Closed for research for (please specify # years)

    If you select to close your oral history to research for a specified number of years, the Municipal Archives will not grant public access to your oral history submission until the specified number of years has been fulfilled. The only people who will have access to it during the time it is closed will be yourself and Municipal Archives staff for the purposes of processing and preserving it.

62. Specify # years
64. Email*
65. Phone Number*
67. Address1
69. Address2
71. City
72. State
73. Zip
75. Can Municipal Archives staff contact you if we have follow-up questions regarding any of your responses?

    1. Yes
    2. No
77. Is there anyone we should reach out to directly to conduct an oral history interview with as part of the Savannah LGBTQ+ Oral History Project?

    Please provide their name, phone number, email address, and why we should talk to them.

79. All submissions to the Savannah Community Memory Project (including the Voice Bank) shall become the property of the City of Savannah. The City shall have full physical custody and intellectual property rights of all materials generated by submissions in perpetuity for all non-profit use.  Typical uses may include, but are not limited to, scholarly and other publications, audio/visual and electronic presentations (including programs on SGTV Government Channel 8), exhibits, and websites (including www.savannahga.gov). Submission materials will be transferred to the City of Savannah Municipal Archives, where they will be housed and maintained according to accepted archival principles and procedures to ensure both preservation and accessibility to researchers. The materials will be made available to all qualified researchers on equal terms of access and copies supplied, upon request, in accordance with the policies of the Municipal Archives.

    I, the undersigned, have read the above.  I affirm that I understand the nature and purpose of this oral history project and hereby give grant and assign all rights, title and interest, including copyright, of whatever kind from this information and interview to the City of Savannah.

81. Name*
82. Click to accept*

    1. I accept the release statement above

84. Thank you for sharing your history with us today! Contributions like yours help us to preserve and share the unique history of Savannah with our community, as well as future generations of citizens and visitors.

Leave This Blank:


86. 1. Receive an email copy of this form.
87. Email address

    This field is not part of the form submission.

88. Submit

* indicates a required field