Oral History Interview with Karm Hagedorn and Lisa Hellemn: Transcript, Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project

Title: Oral History Interview with Karm Hagedorn and Lisa Hellemn: Transcript, Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
LC Subject: Lesbianism Lesbian community
Local Collection ID: Coll 520
Repository: University of Oregon. Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Interviewee: Hagedorn, Karm Hellemn, Lisa
Interviewer: Long, Linda, 1956- Raiskin, Judith L.
Description: The Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project collection consists of interviews of 83 people for the Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project, conducted by Professor Judith Raiskin and Curator Linda Long at the University of Oregon starting in the summer of 2018.
Abstract: Karm: Karm was born in 1949 in Eugene. She describes growing up in Eugene and what the city was in those years. In school, she was involved in band, choir and theater. She recognized herself as lesbian in the third grade, but had no words to describe it. She graduated from Sheldon High School in 1967. She married a man in 1974, and later they came out together, and divorced. Karm had a lesbian relationship from 1975 until 1983 and came out completely in 1984. In Eugene, she worked a number of different jobs, including the final months of Starflower Natural Foods & Botanicals and as partner with two other lesbians in the Three Sisters Painting Company. In 1987 she returned to the UO to finish her degree and began working for the City of Eugene as an usher at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, and ultimately became the Cultural Services Division Manager overseeing The Hult Center, Cuthbert Amphitheater, Public Art, and Community Events in Eugene. She founded the Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene in 1989. She and Lisa Hellemn discuss various aspects of directing Soromundi and the reception of the chorus in Eugene and Springfield. They discuss forming the lesbian band Complicated, in 2001. She discusses Sheryl, her partner of 33 years, and their daughter Bailey, who was born in 1992. She describes the group “Happy Lesbian Couples” she helped form in 1989. She talks about the school district and the Spanish Immersion School. During the 1980s and 1990s, Karm was active in combating the anti-gay ballot measures. Karm retired from the City in 2013, and Complicated and Soromundi in 2017. Lisa Hellemn is now the Soromundi director. Lisa: Lisa was born in Salem, Oregon in 1962 and grew up mainly in Stayton, Oregon. Lisa’s mother was a British “War Bride” who relocated to Oregon after World War II. Lisa had a happy childhood in the Detroit Valley. She was not aware of lesbianism growing up. She went to Willamette University, where she double-majored in physics and music. She talks about the politically conservative south Oregon coast and about her effort to come out to her parents. Lisa was a co-director of the Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene. She discusses the dynamics of the choir, and the problems associated with managing a large group of people, many of whom are strong-willed. Lisa discusses leading by example. Lisa and Karm discuss the kinds of music the choir sang and the choir’s meager finances. Soromundi became a non-profit in 1991, and formed a board. Over the years, there have been about 1,400 people involved with Soromundi. When Karm left the choir in 1993, Lisa became director. Lisa also talks about the anti-gay ballot measures and the Oregon Citizens Alliance. Lisa and Karm discuss the requirements for membership in the choir and the risks of performing publicly. Lisa went to graduate school at UO. She discusses music education and special education. Lisa now works in the College of Education, teaching special education to graduate students.
Subject: Aversion therapy; Bars (Drinking establishments) -- Oregon – Eugene; Cannabis—Oregon; Discrimination; Employers’ liability—Oregon; Gays—crimes against; Hate crimes; Heterosexism; Homophobia; Horseback riding; Horsemanship for people with disabilities; Lesbian community – Oregon; Lesbian separatism – Oregon; Lesbians – Identity; Lesbians – Medical care; Marijuana industry – Oregon; Oregon Women’s Land; OWL Farm; Organic food; Seed harvesting; Sports for women; Starflower Natural Foods & Botanicals; Sygall, Susan; Workers’ compensation – Oregon; Bisexuality; Coming out (sexual orientation); Gender nonconformity; Hainsworth, Joy; Hult Center for the Performing Arts (Eugene, Or.); Mother’s Day Concert; Non-binary people; Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene; Transgender people
Location: University of Oregon >> Lane County >> Oregon >> United States
Date: 2018-08-03
Identifier: Coll520_do023
Rights: In Copyright
Dc Rights Holder: University of Oregon Libraries
Local Collection Name: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Type: Text
Format: application/pdf
Set: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Institution: University of Oregon