Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories on the Northern Plains

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Excerpts from the Red River Rainbow Seniors oral history project called “Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories from the Northern Plains, which features stories from folks who grew up back when being “out” was socially unacceptable.

Prairie Public


    • Jun 26, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 15 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories on the Northern Plains

    Episode 15: Ella Huwe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 12:41


    Ella Huwe is interviewed by Darrel Hansen, from a conversation recorded in 2018.

    Episode 14: Tony Christensen

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2022 10:13


    Tony Christensen is interviewed by Robert Stone in a conversation from 2018.

    robert stone tony christensen
    Episode 13: Kevin Tengesdal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2022 18:41


    Kevin recounts experiences from his rural upbringing, military service, and LGBT advocacy in North Dakota.

    Episode 12: Jan Jorgensen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2020 7:04


    Born in the 50s, Jan served in the military and got married, but finally came to grips with who she truly was.

    Episode 11: D DuShane

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2019 7:36


    On the occasion of The Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20), this excerpt from the Breaking Barriers Oral History project aired on the Main Street Radio show to help shed some light on the transgender experience. DD DuShane visits with interviewer Cindy Roholt.

    Episode 10: David Fischer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2019 11:00


    David Fischer was born in South Dakota in 1950, but soon moved to North Dakota, growing up when being gay was often puzzling, and being out wasn’t imaginable. He attended NDSU, enjoyed a 38 year career in area hospitals, and retired in 2012.

    Episode 9: Randy Mann

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2019 13:26


    Randy's path takes him through Catholic schooling, traditional marriage, and parenthood before finally embracing his true self.

    Episode 8: Robert Uebel

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2019 10:30


    In this episode, we hear from Robert Uebel as he visits with volunteer Mark Chekola.

    Episode 7: Lynn Runck

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2019 6:31


    Lynn recalls some difficult times.

    Episode 6: Anita Bender

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2019 4:41


    In this excerpt, Anita Bender shares part of her coming out story, including the consequences her Mennonite parents faced for supporting her. She visits with volunteer Larry Peterson.

    Episode 5: A Minister's Path

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2019 6:03


    We hear from a former minister who served in churches in Iowa and Minnesota. He married a fellow seminarian, a woman, in 1969 and raised a family. But he eventually came to terms with his true self, came out to family and friends, and discovered a life he never thought possible. Here’s a portion of his visit with volunteer Darrell Hansen.

    Episode 4: Jan Titus

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2019 3:29


    Jan Titus grew up in a Methodist church, and later became a Lutheran minister. In this excerpt from his oral history, we learn how church leaders reacted when they learned he was gay. He visits with volunteer Larry Peterson.

    Episode 3: Roger Schobinger

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2019 9:27


    Roger Schobinger was known across North Dakota for speaking on the issue of HIV & AIDS. On August 1 st , 2018, he passed away at the age of 63. In this episode of the Breaking Barriers podcast, we share an excerpt from Roger’s oral history as he visits with volunteer Bob Stone.

    Episode 2: A Gradual Awakening

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2019 5:18


    An anonymous interviewee describes his gradual realization about his sexuality, the impact on his family, and the joy he finds in his new life with his new love. He is interviewed by project volunteer Larry Peterson, professor of history emeritus.

    Episode 1: An Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2019 19:06


    Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories from the Northern Plains is an oral history project from the Red River Rainbow Seniors. It features stories from folks who grew up back when being “out” was much harder. In this first episode, we get an introduction to the project and hear an excerpt as Mark Chekola, a member of the Red River Rainbow Seniors visits with Prairie Public host Doug Hamilton.

    northern plains doug hamilton

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