UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON ARCHIVES
ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

Interview #1278
MERCER, LISA MARIE

MERCER, LISA MARIE

Interviewed: 	2012
Interviewer: 	Kara Bissen
Index by: 	Tiffany Schroeder
Length: 	1 hour, 07 minutes
Series:		Eau Claire’s LGBT Community, 1960s to present

Abstract: In her June 2012 interview with Kara Bissen, Lisa Marie Mercer details her experience with the LGBTQ community in both UW Eau Claire and the greater Eau Claire community. She talks about her involvement with the ARCW and the LGBT Community Center. She details changes she has seen and what she hopes to see in the future. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the UW-Madison Oral History Program.

Key Words: UW Eau Claire, UW Green Bay, ARCW, Fair Wisconsin, scholarship, Fireball, Day of Silence, UW Coming Out Day, Chris Jorgensen, Miss Dee lovely, community center, PRIDE, police, Scooters, drag queen, drag king, needle exchange program, jail, HIV, healthcare, San Francisco, Eau Queer Film Festival

First Interview Session (June 12, 2012): Audio File

Time	Keywords
00:00:00	Start of Interview/Kara Bissen introduces Lisa Marie Mercer on the twelfth of June, 2012 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
00:00:11	Question: How are you involved with the Eau Claire campus and Eau Claire community?
	Answer: Lisa Marie has been on the board of directors for the campus center for over a year, she helps organize Chippewa Valley PRIDE, volunteers on campus, been involved in the AIDS Quilt, and has helped raise funds for scholarships. 
00:01:09	Question: Would you want to talk more about the Fireball?
	Answer: Miss Dee Lovely and Chris Jorgensen are really involved in the Fireball, which raised money for LGBTQ students going to school. Lisa Marie says the event was amazing. There were screens in background, it was packed with people, and everyone gave money at the door.
00:02:15	Question: Surprising to see that on campus?
	Answer: Lisa Marie states that events on campus tend to be small, and the amount of attendance at the event was intense and amazing. 
00:02:33     Question: How many people would you say attended?
                  Answer: Lisa Marie thinks that hundreds of people attended as it was in the Fire Room in Davis Hall. 
00:02:55	Question: How would you describe the LGBTQ community here on campus and in Eau Claire?
	Answer: Lisa Marie states that the community struggles to put on events that aren’t bar related. They had financial problems with the community center, and had to close the space. Although it was sad, according to Lisa Marie, they didn’t have a choice. The center wasn’t being utilized, and it was just a space. Money also wasn’t being managed properly.
00:03:53	Question: Do you want to speak more about how the community center has been over years?
	Answer: Lisa Marie indicates that she is fairly new, but the community center has been unstable from the beginning. A friend of hers, Chris Ionanne, passed away recently, and he was a huge part of holding the community together. The center got funding from Diverse and Resilient in Milwaukee, and that was their only source of funding since no one knew how to fundraise.  There was also a lot of inner conflict with people who didn’t agree. The main focus of the community center is PRIDE on August 4th. 
00:06:02	Question: You mentioned inner conflict on ideas with where the community center, if you feel comfortable would you mind talking about the different perspectives?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, there were two views. People either wanted to close now and wait for more funds, or to get a small office and build up. Lisa Marie was scared that if they closed completely, they would never reopen, and that seems to be the case because they donated all of their materials.
00:07:10	Question: What do you see as the primary purpose of the community center?
	Answer: The mission statement of the center is to host events that promote solidarity, and Lisa Marie doesn’t know how well that was lived up to. She hasn’t seen any events strictly under the center’s name, and members would typically volunteer under a more stable event.
00:08:12	Question: Do you think solidarity is a correct adjective to describe the community here in Eau Claire?
	Answer: Lisa Marie says that Eau Claire consists of sub- groups. At UW- Eau Claire, there was Fair Wisconsin, Spectrum, and Forward Momentum, which were joined to become UW- Eau Claire PRIDE. 
00:09:35	Question: Can you speak more about the three different organizations and what they did?
	Answer: Spectrum is a social group that was almost used as a dating service for people to get to know each other. Forward Momentum was started by a girl Lisa Marie knew, and it dealt with social action stuff. Fair Wisconsin dealt with laws as well.
00:10:55	Question: What different activism has been on campus? 
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, there is not much activism on campus. She spent a year at UW- Green Bay, and although there was a smaller group, she felt like they did more.  
00:11:39	Question: What are differences you have seen with Green Bay and Eau Claire in terms of activism?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, although Green Bay is smaller, it was a supportive place to go that hosted weekly events. When Lisa Marie arrived in Eau Claire, she didn’t know how to get involved on campus, and instead got involved with the wider community, and volunteered on campus.
00:12:48	Question: The three organizations came together to become UWEC PRIDE?
	Answer: Lisa Marie indicates that the three groups did come together.
00:12:58	Question: Do you know why they did that?
	Answer: Lisa Marie is not sure why they did it, but heard about it at the Day of Silence.
00:13:39	Question: Do you think that the community here in Eau Claire is united in terms of race, class, etc.? 
	Answer: There are many sub- groups in Eau Claire, and everyone goes to the bar because they are not sure what to do. The bar scene has been a huge part of the LGBT culture for a long time, however, some people don’t want to be involved in that. PRIDE has been a good event, and they did a drag show this past year.
00:15:01	Question: Do you think the community is racially diverse?
	Answer: Lisa Marie does not think the community is really racially diverse. 
00:15:17	Question: Why do you think that is?
	Answer: Lisa Marie thinks that Minneapolis may be different because it is a larger city, as well as other cities. Eau Claire is smaller, which may be a reason to the lack of diversity.
00:16:03	Question: What events did the community center partake in or associate with?
	Answer: For a while, the community center did game nights, movie nights, and brought in speakers, but they were not well attended. The center had a large library which they donated. They had Friday night drop-ins that no one would show up to, which was a huge problem. They talked about becoming a resource center that offered social services, but there were no professionals on the board and everyone was donating their time. In order for that to work, there would have had to been reorganization.
00:18:29	Question: What has been different events put on on campus?
	Answer: Lisa Marie indicates there has been the AIDS Quilt, the Fireball, the second annual Day of Silence, but she mainly did work outside of campus.
00:19:33	Question: What did you work on outside of campus?
	Answer: Lisa Marie worked with Dr. Shiela Smith, the community center, and PRIDE. 
00:20:07	Question: Do you want to talk more about what your research was?
	Answer: In Lisa Marie’s research, focus groups were made like lesbians, gays, HIV positive people, and they were all asked about their health care experiences. Dr. Smith used this to help her with her teaching. They identified themes, and presented them. Then two more focus groups were made as a follow up. Now they are creating a national survey.
00:22:09	Question: What themes did you find?
	Answer: Lisa Marie’s group was the lesbian group, and many brought up family issues. For instance, extra paperwork, adoption, visitation were commonly addressed. 
00:23:19	Question: Any other themes?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, the gay men mainly talked about being treated with the same respect as anyone else, and not having other healthcare needs. Transgender people described horrific experiences, and the HIV group described people acting differently around them, treating them as infectious and breaching confidentiality. They currently found that a lot of discrimination in not as overt, but more hidden.
00:25:09	Question: Do you think education at UW- Eau Claire is inclusive to the community?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, sociology is good at being aware of diversity; however, other fields are not as open. There are still “hetero-normative” assumptions about students, assuming everyone is straight.
00:26:08	Question: Is there a LGBTQ studies program here?
	Answer: There is a studies program that just started. The certificate was developed after the San Francisco travel seminar. Pam Forman and Ellen Mehafie were asked to teach Lesbian Lives and Cultures, but they wanted to go bigger and do something different for campus. Lisa Marie was part of first group, and she went to San Francisco and the Frame line film festival, did her own film, critiqued films that they saw and participated in PRIDE. The following fall the class put together Eau Queer film festival.
00:27:54	Question: Were you involved in Eau Queer Film Festival?
	Answer: The first year, Lisa Marie introduced one film. She wanted to make sure everyone was represented.
00:28:28	Question: Was it well attended?
	Answer: The first year the festival was well attended, but this past year was a little disappointing.
00:29:18	Question: I read that there was some controversy around it.
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, a professor sent an e-mail to the student saying he didn’t support it and he feels bad for his gay friends because they are wounded souls. Lisa Marie did see the e-mail, and it was condescending. The incident made national news, and might explain why they got so much support.
00:31:01	Question: What were the results of professor saying those things? Was he reprimanded in any way?
	Answer: The professor got to stay, and was not really reprimanded. He continued to work with students, but Lisa Marie express concerns for future LGBTQ students that have to take his class. There was a session where people could vent out feelings about what happened, and the professor showed up to make an apology. Lisa Marie believes that had it been a racial remark or addressed to a different group, he would have been fired. 
00:33:39	Question: Does administration support activism in terms of  LGBT students?
	Answer: Lisa Marie states that although there will always be the one or two people that create problems, in general administration supports activism. The new chancellor definitely supports it. 
00:34:38	Question: Did administration support the Day of Silence here?
	Answer: Lisa Marie says that administration does support the Day of Silence, although there is always room to stand more strongly. She hasn’t heard of any opposition. 
00:35:05	Question: do you want to describe more what the Day of Silence looked like?
	Answer: There was a stage in the front with screens that showed people screaming on the side. At the event, there were many performers and people that spoke about why they support the day of silence. A member of the LGBT Community Center was also sent up to speak. 
00:36:35	Question: There was a National Coming Out Day here as well, correct?
	Answer: Lisa Marie operated two booths at the National Coming out day for the LGBT Community Center and the AIDS Resource Center. There were different people set up and different organizations there. People could walk through and get information, and they could go up on a stage to tell their coming out story. There was also a large rainbow flag draped around the area. 
00:37:48	Question: Was it a successful event?
	Answer: Lisa Marie thinks the event was really nice, and didn’t go badly. 
00:37:59	Question: You said you were an intern at the AIDS Resource Center?
	Answer: Lisa Marie indicates she was an intern. 
00:38:03	Question: What is that AIDS Resource Center and what does it do in the community? 
	Answer: Lisa Marie was the prevention specialist intern at the AIDS Resource Center, and she worked with at risk youth by conducting discussion groups weekly about prevention and STD’s. She would go to the jail to talk to inmates about HIV and Hepatitis C, and worked with drug users through the needle exchange program. She was trained to do pre and post counseling before HIV testing, and trained volunteers to do online outreach.
00:41:15	Question: Is the AIDS Resource Center well supported by greater Eau Claire community?
	Answer: Lisa Marie indicates that there is a stigma with the AIDS Resource Center, primarily because of the needle exchange program. Many people think they are supporting drug use, but Lisa Marie says that they are just making sure they are not harming themselves or others by using unsafe materials. The police sit outside of the office and watch those who come in, which they are not supposed to do. 
00:43:05	Question: What is the relationship with the police and the LGBTQ community?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, the relationship is generally not that bad. She notices them sitting by bars, assuming they are waiting to arrest people, but isn’t sure if it is just that bar or all bars.
00:44:00	Question: Have there been incidents of harassment or hate crimes in the area?
	Answer: Lisa Marie is sure there have been some hate crimes, and has heard about many in Minneapolis. She knows of a discrimination incident in Stevens Point with a professor.
00:44:44	Question: Do you think Eau Claire is a tolerant community?
	Answer: Lisa Marie thinks that the community could be worse. It isn’t perfect, and there is room for improvement. 
00:45:09	Question: What is the difference between Eau Claire and Minneapolis?
	Answer: Lisa Marie thinks it is interesting to see how people do or do not react in bigger cities. No one pays attention to LGBTQ in bigger cities, but in places like Eau Claire, the difference is noticed. 
00:46:07	Question: Do you imagine staying in Eau Claire, or will you get out?
	Answer: Lisa Marie was going to move with her partner, but her plans have changed and she is now deciding where to go for graduate school. She isn’t sure if she wants to move to a different area because she lives with her grandmother, and doesn’t want to leave her alone. 
00:47:20	Question: This is switching lanes, but could you describe Eau Claire PRIDE?
	Answer: PRIDE is a smaller event. There is usually a grill out, with different organizations lined up where people can walk around, look at stuff, and get resources. Last year, PRIDE had a drag show, and this year Lisa Marie is organizing the drag kings for the event. 
00:48:28	Question: Like who?
	Answer: Performers from the Town House in St. Paul are going to attend PRIDE. The Town House is one of the oldest gay bars. Lisa Marie also has a friend in Madison that may perform. 
00:49:13	Question: Is there a large drag community here? Is drag prevalent here?
	Answer: There are drag shows every month at Scooters, and the cover charge is usually donated to a cause. The shows are well attended. 
00:50:14	Question: Do straight people go to drag shows?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, there are a lot of straight people that go, and they are usually open- minded allies. 
00:50:34	Question: You mentioned that there are drag kings here as well?
	Answer: Lisa Marie indicates there are drag kings. 
00:50:37	Question: Do you want to talk more about that?
	Answer: Lisa Marie believes that the drag kings get the short end of the stick, and the drag queens sometimes take over. Lisa Marie is organizing part of the show for PRIDE, including the drag kings, because she doesn’t want them to be excluded, and the drag queens sometimes take over. 
00:51:55	Question: What other events are there at PRIDE?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, there are not many other events at PRIDE. People come for the food, to drink, and to get information. Sometimes they do get beer donations. 
00:52:24	Question: How long has PRIDE been in the Chippewa Valley?
	Answer: PRIDE has been around for a long time, and began as just a picnic. Chris Ionanne hosted boat rides and an ice cream social on the Chippewa River on the second day of PRIDE. 
00:53:25	Question: Why do you think there is no parade?
	Answer: Lisa Marie indicates that there may not be a parade because it is harder to organize in a smaller community, and some people may be disturbed by it. 
00:53:44	Question: People in the gay community?
	Answer:  Lisa Marie thinks that the straight people would be disturbed.
00:53:58	Question: What does gay culture look like in Eau Claire?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, gay culture is small, and needs more visibility. There is a culture, but it needs to be seen in the wider community. 
00:54:51	Question: Why do you think it is not as visible?
	Answer: Lisa Marie thinks that the community is not very visible because people feel like they won’t be well received. Many people keep to themselves, and PRIDE is usually at Mt. Simon or Carson Park, and you have to know what is going on to recognize that it is PRIDE. 
00:55:56	Question: Have there been any protests to pride in Eau Claire?
	Answer: PRIDE is not very known, although there is some advertising. According to Lisa Marie, not many people knew about the community center either. 
00:57:03	Question: What is the relationship between the media and the LGBTQ community?
	Answer: Miss Dee Lovely does a lot of the media stuff for the community, and she is a great spokesperson. She has a segment on the news that featured an issue of LGBT stuff every night. Other than that, there was an article about Lisa Marie’s travel seminar to San Francisco in the paper. 
00:58:22	Question: How was Dee received?
	Answer: Lisa Marie doesn’t really know how Dee was received, but doesn’t think there was a lot of opposition. She didn’t hear of anything, and it was nothing like the Eau Queer situation. 
00:58:57	Question: Are there any out musicians in the Eau Claire area?
	Answer: Lisa Marie does know a few LGBT artists, but that does not define them. She is sure there are other LGBT artists in the area. 
00:59:43	Question: What is the role of theater in the LGBTQ community?
	Answer: Although Lisa Marie is not part of the theater community, she did go see a show called Hedgewig that Miss Dee Lovely was in. Miss Dee Lovely is a huge part of the theater community. 
01:00:25	Question: What do you think have been milestones in queer history?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, the opening of the community center was a big deal, but there hasn’t been much progress since. 
01:01:20	Question: What are goals do you have?
	Answer: Lisa Marie hopes for the community center to open again and become a resource center. 
01:02:05	Question: What changes do you think need to happen in order for the community center to be vibrant here?
	Answer: inner conflict needs to stop, work together, common direction, since beginning,  In order for the center to be vibrant, Lisa Marie thinks the inner conflict needs to end, and everyone need to work together and in a common direction. 
01:02:55	Question: What do you think is fueling the inner conflict?
	Answer: According to Lisa Marie, the reason there is inner conflict is because of the sub- groups. People feel excluded and unwelcome, and it is a gay men’s space. 
01:03:49	Question: Is there anything that while we were talking came to mind?
	Answer: Lisa Marie thinks we covered a lot.
01:04:24	Question: Is there visibility of transgender  people in the community?
	Answer: Lisa Marie is disappointed by the visibility of the Trans community in Eau Claire. She has friends that ask for resources, and there is nowhere to direct them. She says the Trans movement is behind the gay and lesbian movement. Even in San Francisco, the Trans march was really small. She has no where to tell them to go, and feels helpless in that aspect.
01:06:04	Question: Do you think Eau Claire is a safe place for trans individuals?
	Answer: Lisa Marie does not think that Eau Claire is a safe place for transgender people. She has a transgender friend that was attacked outside of bar.
01:06:37	Question: Is that common?
	Answer: Lisa Marie says that it is not common, but it will always be in the back of your mind. She says that the fact that it does happen is going to scare you.  
01:07:10	Question: How was that handled by the police?
	Answer: Lisa Marie indicates that it wasn’t really handled by the police, and that there really isn’t a great relationship with a police. The police almost show indifference. 

01:07:47	End of First Interview Session

End of Oral History #XXX