Oral History Interview with Lyn Neeley and Linda Rose: Video, Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project

Title: Oral History Interview with Lyn Neeley and Linda Rose: Video, 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: Neeley, Lyn Rose, Linda
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: Lyn was born in 1950 in Eugene, Oregon and grew up in Portland. Her father was a high school biology teacher and her mother was a housewife. Her family went camping in the Willowa Mountains during the summers, which gave her a deep appreciation of the outdoors. During high school, she was athletic, on the gymnastics, tennis, track and swim teams in high school, but she never took a dance class until college. She was a pre-med student at the University of Oregon in 1969-1970 but minored in dance. She recalls participating in the antiwar protests happening on the U of O campus. Lyn was not a lesbian until she danced with Wallflower Order Dance Collective which started in 1975. Lyn and Linda talk about the Wallflower name and the mission of the group. They recall the various cities they performed in across the United States and in Nicaragua and Europe. There was an informal network of women’s and feminist organizations they worked with to book their tours. Lyn and Linda talk about some of the themes of their dances including female body image, feminist politics and, later, anti-imperialism. Lyn discusses her involvement with the Workers World Party after leaving the dance troupe. Later, she became a high school biology teacher like her father. Lyn and Linda conclude their interview by discussing aging issues. Linda was born in 1949 in New York. She grew up on Long Island. During the summers, her family would go to the Catskill Mountains. She went to college in Buffalo, New York and married. She recalls participating in the antiwar protests—marching in the streets and being tear-gassed. After college, she went with her husband to San Francisco. There, she met someone from Eugene and was interested. She applied to graduate school at the UO Dance Department, and moved to Eugene in 1971. She taught dance during this time. She discusses the Eugene Dance Collective. One summer, Krissy Keefer, Alex Dunnette, Laurel Near and Linda put on a dance show. This was the seed for the Wallflower Dance Order, which started in 1975. Lyn Neeley joined the group. Linda divorced her husband and came out. Linda and Lyn discuss the Wallflower name and the mission of the group. The focus was on feminist politics, then lesbianism, and finally class politics. Linda was also a dance therapist. Linda and Lyn discuss the dances and the costumes. To support themselves while dancing, Linda and Lyn worked odd jobs in Eugene. They discuss the various cities they performed in across the United States. There was an informal network of women’s and feminist organizations they worked with to book their tours. Lyn and Linda talk about body image and feminist politics. Linda discusses the reasons why she left the troupe. She went back to school for a degree in social work and dance therapy. She worked in San Francisco for many years as a therapist. Eventually, she moved back to Eugene with her partner (now wife), Marilyn Picariello. She now teaches mindfulness meditation. Linda and Lyn conclude their interview by discussing aging issues.
Subject: Ballet; Butch and femme (Lesbian culture); Collectives; Communism; Feminism; Gerlinger Hall (Eugene, Or.); Near, Timothy; Sweet Honey in the Rock (musical group); Transgender people; Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Protest movements -- United States; WOW Hall; Ballet; Buddhism; Butch and femme (Lesbian culture); Collectives; Feminism; Gerlinger Hall (Eugene, Or.); Mama’s Home Fried Truck Stop (restaurant); Spirituality; Sweet Honey in the Rock (musical group); Transgender people; Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Protest movements -- United States; WOW Hall
Location: University of Oregon >> Lane County >> Oregon >> United States
Date: 2018-08-23
Identifier: Coll520_do039
Rights: In Copyright
Dc Rights Holder: University of Oregon Libraries
Local Collection Name: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Type: Moving Image
Format: video/mp4
Set: Eugene Lesbian Oral History Project
Institution: University of Oregon